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‘Un/Happy For You’ director Petersen Vargas pens message to stars Joshua Garcia and Julia Barretto

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Rhea Manila Santos

<p>Last year, director Petersen Vargas was at the helm of Dolly de Leon and Kathryn Bernardo’s dark comedy <em>A Very Good Girl, </em>which surpassed the P100M mark at the local box office. This year, his big screen project <em>Un/Happy For You</em> grossed an impressive P104M just four days after opening, and the talented director couldn’t be any happier. The film, which marks the return of Joshua Garcia and Julia Barretto’s love team JoshLia, is also Star Cinema’s first film offering for 2024. In a recent social media post, the Kapamilya director thanked his lead actors  for all the “supercut of memories” he kept while making the film. </p><div><a href="https://push.abs-cbn.com/2024/7/25/joshua-garcia-on-working-with-julia-barretto-again-1531"><strong>READ: Joshua Garcia on working with Julia Barretto again: ‘Na-miss ko yung mga tawanan namin!’</strong></a></div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-0" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/C-zhkvaTmPt/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fent-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A2404322.899999857%2C%22ls%22%3A2403839.5%2C%22le%22%3A2403845.7999999523%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="746" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-0" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-1" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/C-2W_1oyalH/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fent-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A1%2C%22os%22%3A2404341.7000000477%2C%22ls%22%3A2403839.5%2C%22le%22%3A2403845.7999999523%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="746" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-1" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><p>In his Instagram account, direk Petersen wrote a heartfelt message for the film’s lead stars.</p><p>“I’ve been keeping a draft of a message all day meant for Julia that goes, ‘Fuck my heart is pounding’ and I guess that’s how I’ve been feeling the whole time I’ve been inside the heart of this project. Because its heart—is all hidden bruises and wounds from past loves and past lives and past selves, suddenly floating their messy, turbulent way to the surface of memory. Because its heart, a real breakage too ugly to look at, and too prickly to the touch. And all this heart, we’ve been baring and wearing on all our sleeves,” wrote direk Petersen. “What a way to know you, @garciajoshuae, in all those whispered agreements of what we’ll eventually call and own as the truth of this heart. To you, too, @juliabarretto, for showing me all the ways this heart could be as beautiful despite all its fiery bloodshed. Thank you 4-ever.”</p><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-2" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/C-kjWISTHBc/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fent-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A2%2C%22os%22%3A2404354.399999857%2C%22ls%22%3A2403839.5%2C%22le%22%3A2403845.7999999523%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="803" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-2" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-3" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/C-1jqxWS6C5/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fent-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A3%2C%22os%22%3A2405689.5%2C%22ls%22%3A2403839.5%2C%22le%22%3A2403845.7999999523%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="746" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-3" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><a href="https://push.abs-cbn.com/2024/7/28/petersen-vargas-on-working-with-joshlia-for-their-reunion-project-1033"><strong>READ: Director Petersen Vargas on Joshlia’s reunion project: “There’s this really beautiful energy!”<br/></strong></a></div><p>In an earlier post, direk Petersen also applauded the two actors for their performances, which translated into good reviews and more people coming to watch the romantic drama. The movie’s storyline revolves around a chef named Juancho (played by Joshua) who reunites with ex-girlfriend Zy (Julia) who was visiting his hometown in Bicol province. Initially seeking revenge against Zy’s engagement, Juancho unexpectedly redevelops feelings for his former flame in the process.</p><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-4" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/C-mg31GuV3S/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fent-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A4%2C%22os%22%3A2405733.0999999046%2C%22ls%22%3A2403839.5%2C%22le%22%3A2403845.7999999523%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="801" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-4" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><p>Addressing his lead characters, direk Petersen wrote, “To my Juancho and Zy, thank you for allowing me to tell this story WITH YOU TWO. I only have beautiful memories of us three, and the rest of our dearest team, having the time of our lives. You two gave it your all, and I’ll forever be grateful to be the one who has seen all that from the very beginning. THANK YOU to our audience who made it possible to open with P20.5M on our FIRST DAY! I can’t believe it at all, and I can only cry as an iyakin 4-ever 😅 We are now showing in over 230 cinemas nationwide!! Thank you, thank you, thank you. I’m happy for us :,)”</p><p><em>Un/Happy For You</em> is currently showing exclusively in 200 cinemas nationwide. The film stars Joshua Garica, Julia Barretto, Nonie Buencamino, Ketchup Eusebio, John Lapus, Kaila Estrada, Aljon Mendoza, Bong Gonzales, Ana Abad Santos, and Meann Espinosa. Distributed by Star Cinema and written by Kookai Labayen, Crystal San Miguel, and Simon Lloyd Arciaga, it was directed by Petersen Vargas and produced by ABS-CBN Studios and Viva Films. </p>

<p>‘Un/Happy For You’ director Petersen Vargas shares why he is grateful for his lead stars Joshua Garcia and Julia Barretto after working on their comeback film together.</p>

‘Un/Happy For You’ director Petersen Vargas shares why he is grateful for his lead stars Joshua Garcia and Julia Barretto after working on their comeback film together.