CinemaBravo

The new romantic drama film ‘X and Y’ boldly breaks traditions by pairing up lead actress Ina Raymundo with Kapuso artist Will Ashley. Despite a noticeable age difference, their on-screen chemistry is undeniable and could easily captivate audiences with their compelling performances. However, during the media conference of G Channel PH yesterday, April 13, where CinemaBravo was invited, Ina admitted to not knowing her leading man right before shooting the film.

In discussing her initial acquaintance with Will, Ina candidly revealed:

“I’ll be honest, no. Kasi hindi din talaga ako updated sa mga young star ngayon. But, siya, si Direk, agad nagsabi ng name, pati ipinadala niya yung Instagram para ma-stalk ko si Will… Siyempre, no’ng in-offer ‘tong movie sa ‘kin, nag-yes agad ako, ‘no? And I wanted to work Direk Adolf talaga. Pang-apat na namin ‘to. Puro TV before, so first movie namin ito.”

(“I’ll be honest, no. Because I’m really not updated with young stars nowadays. But, he, Direk, immediately mentioned the name, and he even sent his Instagram so I could stalk Will… Of course, when this movie was offered to me, I immediately said yes, right? And I really wanted to work with Direk Adolf. This is our fourth. We’ve only done TV before, so this is our first movie together.”)

Regarding her initial impressions of Will, she admitted to feeling uncomfortable initially. “He’s so young! When we first shoot this… Siyempre, younger pa siya sa firstborn ko. So to be honest I was a bit uncomfortable. And ang worry ko, baka pilit yung magiging kami na baka sobrang nanay na yung dating ko sa tabi niya, kasi sobrang bata niya, di ba? Siya yung pinakabata kong naka-partner sa aking entire showbiz experience.

(“He’s so young! When we first shot this… Of course, he’s younger than my firstborn. So to be honest, I was a bit uncomfortable. And my worry was that our chemistry might feel forced, and I might come off as too motherly beside him, because he’s so young, right? He’s the youngest partner I’ve had in my entire showbiz experience.

“Siyempre, meron akong kaunting apprehension. Magwu-work ba? Pero nakita ko yung mga picture namin together. So parang, okay! Parang pwede! Meron naman! Hindi ko naman maikakaila, pwede naman.”

“Of course, I had some apprehension. Will it work out? But when I saw our pictures together, it seemed okay! It seemed possible! There’s something there! I can’t deny it, it’s possible.”)

Present in the event were line producer Renegade Limpin and executive producer Jojo Rosales. Veteran actress Elizabeth Oroposa also sat on the panel to join the discussion.

The film also stars Rico Barrera, Divine Tetay, Lienel Navidad, Ron Angeles, Bembol Roco, Bugoy Cariño, Jake Rosales, Kirst Viray, Thor Gomez, Vien Del Rosario, Salvador Garcia, J. Ronan Bearis.

On having a real-life May-December love affair

In the film, Ysha (Ina Raymundo) wants to travel to make amends with people she hurt in the past. Xander (Will Ashley) is in need of money to support his family. The two accidentally meet when Ysha is pushed to experience getting a rent boy. She offers Xander a decent amount of money to join her on her journey and take the road together. As they do, will love find its way through them too?

When Will was asked if he already had a relationship with someone way older than him, Ina teased her co-star, “Feeling ko nga, nagka-girlfriend ka na ba, Will? Yun ang tanong, nagka-girlfriend ka na ba?”

(“I feel like, did you have a girlfriend before, Will? That’s the questions, have you had a girlfriend already?”)

Will responded, “Oo naman,” (“Of course, yes,”) but admitted he still haven’t experienced the May-December love affair theme characterized in the film.

As for Ina, she already had her fair share of this kind of love. “O, yeah. I had a relationship with a younger man before I met my husband. So yung boyfriend ko before him is younger before me. Tapos, in-interview ako ni Giselle no’ng isang araw. Kung halimbawa, single ka ngayon, wala kang asawa, would you consider dating a younger man? Sabi ko, alam mo, hindi mo naman mapipili kung kanino ka makaka-connect e. It could be younger or older. Hindi mo naman masasabi. So, yeah, it’s possible.”

(“Oh, yeah. I had a relationship with a younger man before I met my husband. So my boyfriend before him was younger than me. Then, I was interviewed by Giselle the other day. For example, if you’re single now, you don’t have a spouse, would you consider dating a younger man? I said, you know, you can’t really choose who you connect with. It could be younger or older. You can’t really say. So, yeah, it’s possible.”)

Director and writer’s vision

For TV and film director Adolfo Alix, Jr., he wanted to work with people he had already previously worked with.

“No’ng nagdi-discuss kami, may mga name na sina-suggest sa amin… Pero no’ng naghahanap kasi ako no’n, si Miss Ina kasi has never done a movie like this, if I’m not mistaken, this is the first time.

(“When we were discussing, there were names suggested to us… But when I was looking, Miss Ina has never done a movie like this, if I’m not mistaken, this is the first time.

“I was looking for someone na hindi pa nagagawa yung material, someone na I’ve worked with na I think can pull it off. Kasi, yun nga, the role requires someone na medyo strong yung personality…”

(“I was looking for someone who hasn’t done the material yet, someone I’ve worked with that I think can pull it off. Because, you see, the role requires someone with a strong personality…”)

Out of the many love stories out there, screenwriter Gina Marissa Tagasa shared what made this one different.

“Marami nang kuwento ng May-December. Pero dito, ang takeoff point namin, ang theme nito is like from the point-of-view of an empowered woman. Kasi lahat namin ng babae ngayon sa movie, empowered e. Pero pag nando’n na sila, masaya ba sila? Are they happy, fulfilled?

(“Many stories have been told about May-December relationships. But here, our takeoff point, the theme is like from the point-of-view of an empowered woman. Because all our women in the movie, they’re empowered. But when they’re there, are they happy? Are they fulfilled?

“Pero dito, malinaw sa ‘kin na, while writing it, na nagwi-witness din sa akin. The best time to reassess your life is during your down moments, your low moments. Kasi doon mo maiisip o do’n mafu-focus kung babangon ka ba, or yung mga past stage mo magta-transcend ka ba do’n, o do’n ka lang mai-stuck…

(“But here, it’s clear to me, while writing it, that I’m also witnessing it. The best time to reassess your life is during your down moments, your low moments. Because there you can think or focus if you’re going to rise, or if you’re going to transcend your past stages, or if you’re just going to get stuck there…

“Hindi ako nakapanood ng ibang films about May-December, pero ito kasi close to my heart… kasi pangarap ng bawat babae na maging masaya. Hindi porket may pamilya, may basic structure ng family, or may jowa, or anything, pero for me it’s clear na for you to be able na maging masaya ka, na-reach mo na yung pinaka-goal mo sa buhay.”

(I haven’t watched other films about May-December, but this one is close to my heart… because it’s every woman’s dream to be happy. Not just because you have a family, a basic family structure, or a partner, or anything, but for me, it’s clear that for you to be able to be happy, you’ve reached your ultimate goal in life.”)

Experience a fresh take on love

Join Ina Raymundo and Will Ashley as they navigate through the complexities of love and relationships in ‘X and Y.’ Explore the depths of human connection, the challenges of generational gaps, and the pursuit of happiness in this heartwarming tale.

Don’t miss out ‘X and Y’ in theaters starting April 17 and witness a story that could resonate with our own lives.

About the production

G CHANNEL PH Entertainment Production (G Channel PH) is an online variety show that caters to sports, travel, food, and entertainment for its viewers. They promote active participation of the youth in our society through sports and entertainment. Their team consists of celebrity players, models, and vloggers, with over 40 million followers worldwide.