Actress Julia Barretto shared her reaction to comments on her and seasoned actor Aga Muhlach's film Ikaw Pa Rin Ang Pipiliin Ko after its trailer received some criticism from netizens.

In an interview, Julia said that the message of the film isn't to impose or send any negative image to its viewers.

“We’re not trying to normalize anything. We’re not trying to advocate anything. We’re storytellers,” Julia said.

The actress also noted that they checked the story first before agreeing to do it.

“Again, we wouldn’t have jumped into this production if we knew this would send the wrong message in any way,” she added.

Ikaw Pa Rin Ang Pipiliin Ko is a movie about a music professor and his student who fall in love with each other as they both share their love for music.

The trailer that was released earlier in January has received some backlash from netizens who say that Julia and Aga's pairing is a bit odd considering their huge age gap. Julia is 26, while Aga is 54.

The actress also addressed the rumors circulating about her not promoting the film with Aga and avoiding the issues that arose from it as she wasn’t able to attend the media conference for their film.

“Of course not. Stuff like that should be discussed,” Julia remarked in an interview with News5.

She also said that she was very aware of the comments that their trailer received.

“Very much acknowledge the feedback,” she added, “At the end of the day, we make these films for our Filipino viewers to watch. So, siyempre their opinion, it matters. I would never make iwas sa conversation.”

The actress then appealed to viewers to give their film a chance and to personally see the message of the film.

“I hope they still give the film a chance kasi like I said earlier it was a love story that was born out of genuine love. I hope they will be open,” Julia said in an interview.

The actress had previously posted on her Instagram account some snaps from their movie and asked fans and followers to still watch their upcoming film.

“Please give our film a chance 🎼 Showing in cinemas February 7. See you ♡ #IkawParinAngPipiliinKo”, Julia wrote.

During the film’s official media conference at the Viva Cafe, Aga shared that the production team ensured that the May-December love affair theme of the film would be handled well and sensitively.

“Bago pa kami mag-umpisa ng paggawa ng pelikula, we had a lot of meetings with Direk. We had to change a lot of scenes, and we edited some scenes sa script, kasi we’re very careful of that thin line of this age gap. Ang masasabi ko nga, when it was offered to me, I felt a bit awkward,” he said.

He continued: “Pangalawa binuksan na din namin ‘yung istorya. Tignan natin ‘yung medyo off dito, medyo magiging parang, hmm medyo alanganin, out na natin ‘yan. So we had to fix and fix, and it came out, and ito lumabas na ‘tong pelikula namin na napaka linis at napaka–magandang panoorin.”

Aga also reacted to the feedback their film received and assured viewers on the beauty of the film’s storyline.

“Of course, hindi natin maiiwasan na there are some reactions, but unfortunately parang I’m not really– hindi ko masyadong nababantayan ang socmed no, so, kasi ang buhay natin as actors, we just work, we do it right, we do it well, and we present it to the public no. It’s really the choice of the public para kung panoorin nila or hindi. Ang responsibilidad lang talaga namin is do the best we could,” the actor said.

Produced by Viva Films, Ikaw Pa Rin Ang Pipiliin Ko is set to open in theaters on February 7.

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The film is written and directed by Denise O’Hara, starring Julia Barretto, Aga Muhlach, Cindy Miranda, Boboy Garrovillo, Nonie Buencamino, Rafa Siguion-Reyna, Nicole Omillo, Janine Teñoso, Jean Kiley, Mimi Marquez, Taneo Sebastian, Frost Sandoval, and MJ Cayabyab.