Richard, Ian agree: 'It's easy to fall for Jodi'

MANILA - Richard Yap and Ian Veneracion may have opposing views on whether one should get back together with a former flame or find a new love, but the two are in agreement when asked about their "Achy Breaky Hearts" co-star Jodi Sta. Maria.

Veneracion, speaking in a press conference for the upcoming romantic comedy, said it is easy to fall in love with Sta. Maria following a question teasing him about the possibility of a romance between him and his "Pangako Sa 'Yo" leading lady.

"You can't talk look at your co-actor with love and not find anything to love about that person," explained Veneracion, who has three kids with his non-showbiz partner. "It just so happens na si Jodi is so easy to love and that there's so many lovable things about her."

Yap was also thrown the same question, in which he replied: "Jodi is a very lovable person. Mabilis ka maakit sa kanya kasi mabait, maganda, and she has most of the qualities you would want."

"Pero we try to separate the reel from the real," added Yap, who is also married. "Kasi we don't want to complicate things also and we respect Jodi. As a person na may asawa na, ayaw din namin sabihin sa kanya, 'Gagawin kitang number two."

In "The Achy Breaky Hearts," Veneracion plays Ryan, a dashing, romantic middle-aged man who had his heart broken after his proposal went awry. He then meets the film's central character Chinggay (Sta. Maria), a 30-year-old jewelry shop manager looking to break her unlucky streak with men.

According to Veneracion, those looking for love would have a better chance if they meet up with new people as opposed to crawling back to their exes. "Iyung past is the safe choice," he said.

"Ako ay mas adventurous na tao. Gusto ko is to explore and take risks. Mas sigurado ka nga doon sa past kasi nga kilala mo na pero I think it's worth taking the risk if you go for the new one."

Yap, who portrays the former boyfriend of Chinggay who wants to get back together, countered Veneracion's view and said that familiarity breeds acceptance.

"Personally, I think the advantages of the one from the past is may mga napagdaanan na kayo, you've had experiences together na so you know that other person better," he said. "As in, hindi na kayo mag-start from zero."

"So you also know how to correct the mistakes that you did in the past. While for the newer one, kakapain mo pa iyan kasi you have to get to know each other first so there will be mistakes along the way din. May advantage lang iyon past kasi alam na niya iyong do's and dont's," he added.

For Sta. Maria, however, it does not matter whether one falls in love with an ex or a new man as she weighed the positives of the two. "I believe there's always a risk naman in loving," she said.

"Iyung past, there's a reason why naging past, why hindi nag-work. Unless bumalik siya at nagpakita ng pagbabago, maaring puwede siya ang piliin mo kasi subok na."

"Kung sa bago naman, ang advantage is you create new memories together, you look forward to something new, parang maraming revelations na mangyayari," she added.

Directed by Antoinette Jadaone, "The Achy Breaky Hearts" will hit theaters nationwide on June 29. It also features actresses Beauty Gonzalez and Sarah Lahbati.