How Alden Richards adjusted to Ethan's new life in 'Hello, Love, Again'

Photo from Alden Richards' Instagram account. 

MANILA — With the five-year gap since "Hello, Love, Goodbye," Kapuso actor Alden Richards admitted that he had to adjust to the new struggles of his character, Ethan. 

"Medyo naging mahirap dahil it's been a long time ...nagiging struggle ng actors doing a sequel after a certain project na medyo mahaba 'yung panahon na tinagal," Richards told reporters.

In a press conference for "Hello, Love, Again," Richards said he felt like there are things that he can do but his character can't.

"Ngayon si Ethan ay shifted also after flying from Hong Kong to Canada and I think one of the reasons why is malaki 'yung mga epekto ng mga bagay na nangyayari sa paligid natin and 'yung judgment natin is nababago based on the circumstances around us," Richards said.

"I think 'yun lang 'yung struggle. 'Yung Ethan before, 'yung similarities po na mayroon kaming dalawa is really love for the family, hardworking, sacrifice, that's him. Pero right now may mga bagay si Ethan na hindi niya kayang gawin pero kaya ni Alden gawin," he added.

He also noted how his dynamics with co-actor Kathryn Bernardo as she reintroduced herself as Marie.

"With his approach in life right, I think nakita na rin natin 'yun sa trailer eh. Ano 'yung dumating sa kanya, ano 'yung naging event sa buhay niya para sabihing 'Joy, I don't want you back' bakit niya sinabi 'yun?" Richards said.

"To think na nung first film parang gusto niyang ibigay 'yung buong mundo kay Joy bakit ngayon may ganoon? Kakaiba po 'yung magiging dynamics ni Ethan and Marie in this film," he added.

Richards is grateful to director Cathy Garcia Sampana for helping him connect with Ethan again.

"Once na nalagay ko 'yung sarili ko roon sa ganoong setup, same team, same people, same faces while doing the first film, mabilis bumalik si Ethan eh," the actor said.  

"I think Ethan never really left me, andito lang siya. Nahirapan lang akong kunin 'yung kamay niya but with the guidance of Direk Cathy doing this project nahila ko siya ulit," he added. 

"Hello, Love, Again," the sequel to the 2019 blockbuster film "Hello, Love, Goodbye," will hit cinemas on November 13.

The blockbuster film ended with Joy leaving Hong Kong to pursue a career in Canada, while Ethan opened his own business. Viewers were left hanging whether they ended up together or not.

"Hello, Love, Goodbye" was the highest-grossing Philippine film of all time until January 2024, when it was surpassed by "Rewind."