As she stars in her first romantic drama Starting Over Again, Toni Gonzaga admitted it will be one of the most unforgettable projects in her career not only because she is stepping out of the romantic comedy genre, but also because she agreed to do her first ever love scene.

The decision to do the movie was easier for her to make when award-winning director Olivia Lamasan came on board for the project. Toni said she has never seen herself going down this route when it comes to acting. “Hindi ko kasi forte. Kasi hindi naman talaga ako yung nagsimula na nag-teleserye, gumawa ng mga torrid na love scene, kissing scene. Hindi naman ako nakilala sa ganun. Ang unang pelikula ko D’Anothers, binaboy ako yung pagkatao ko (laughs), puro comedy. So sabi ko, ‘Ah okay, dito tayo tatahak sa landas na ito. Huwag natin tatahakin itong pa-sexy.’ Magpapakita lang ako ng katawan kapag katawa tawa. Pero kung love scene parang hindi ko ma-take. Parang hindi bagay. Hindi bagay sa mukha ko. Kasuka suka (laughs). Cute lang talaga sa akin yung mga ganun,” she shared during the Starting Over Again presscon held last February 1 inside ABS-CBN.

Even the film’s director, whom Toni and the rest of the cast lovingly call “Inang”, admitted that Toni couldn’t help but cry after shooting her intimate scene with Piolo Pascual in the movie. “Totoong halik yun, sorry hindi dinaya (laughs). Actually pero naiiyak ako nun. Marami akong first na ginawa sa pelikulang ito na kaya ko lang ginawa dahil kay Inang. Hindi ko alam kaya ko lang ginawa dahil kay PJ, pero dahil andun si Inang parang pag sinabi ni Inang sobra, binigay ko lahat. Parang ito yung puso ko, ito yung trust ko, nasa ‘yo na lahat. Bawat sabihin mo gagawin ko na lang. Kasi hindi naman gagawa si Inang na alam kong pag pinanuod mo, ‘Ay, kahiya hiya naman itong babaeng ito.’ Parang hindi ganun kasi awarded si Inang. Hindi niya gagawin yun sa sarili niya. Pag gumawa si Inang, masterpiece. Kahit love scene masterpiece, Da Vinci (laughs),” Toni shared.

Toni said that she really tried to prepare herself as much as she could before they shot their bed scene. “Nag-YouTube talaga ako ng mga Olivia Lamasan love scenes. Kinabukasan sabi ko haharapin ko si Inang na, ‘Totoo ba talaga itong ganitong klaseng love scene?’” she recalled.

After it was done, Toni said she can now consider herself “de-virgnized” onscreen because of the delicate scene. “I must say. Naku I must say daw oh! (laughs) I have to say yes. For Inang, wala eh. Pag sinabi ng Inang. Hindi ko na nga naiisip si Piolo pag nakikita ko si Inang. Pag tinitigan na ako yes po gagawin ko na, wala ng discussion. Yung hubad ko naman meron naman akong mga safety net hello! (laughs),” she said.

In the movie, Toni plays the role of Jeannie, an ambitious girl who ends up with her college crush only to leave him after reaching a crossroads in her life. Toni said she is lucky to be sharing screen time with Piolo Pascual, who many consider to be the ultimate heartthrob. What does she have to say about their love scene? “Oh, very nice (laughs). Very naughty but very, very nice talaga, I must say. It’s a masterpiece. It’s a work of art I must say. I’m very proud (laughs),” she admitted.

Known to have conservative parents, Toni said she has yet to find out how they will react once they see her “scandalous” love scene. “Kasi ano eh, hindi invited yung mga magulang ko sa premiere night kaya scandalous (laughs). Ipa-sedate ko muna silang dalawa (laughs),” she said.