Here’s why Charo Santos and Dingdong Dantes want viewers to experience the story of ‘Only We Know’

Veteran actress Charo Santos and Kapuso actor Dingdong Dantes, the lead stars of the upcoming romantic drama Only We Know, encouraged audiences to experience their film on the big screen. 

Joined by director Irene Villamor during a speed dating-style media launch, the trio emphasized the emotional journey the film offers.

Director Irene shared insights into the film's concept, noting its exploration of a May-December love affair and the complexities of undefined relationships.

“It’s really that na sinasabi na no labels and, or no definition dahil sanay tayo sa society na may stereotype kapag may nakikita tayo na magkasama,” she explained.

“We are always curious about other person’s lives but what do we really know about their lives,” she added.

Describing Only We Know as a story of love and life told from different perspectives, the team stressed the importance of watching it in cinemas for a full emotional experience.

“Experience siya that’s why you have to experience it in the cinema, you have to experience the story because it’s a journey of life and soul,” Irene said.

Dingdong also added, “Minsan mas maganda yung, yung mga bagay na kayo-kayo lang but I’ll tell you this the movie is about us letting you into our lives so it's all about that experience kaya di kayo makapag antay na pasukin yung buhay nina Betty at Ryan.”

Direk Irene also revealed to PUSH ABS-CBN the inspiration behind giving Charo and Dingdong this type of story as their first film together.

“Naisip siya na maraming siyang pinagdaanan bago (mabuo) pero yung concept is that kind of love between an older woman and a younger man. Pero kung ano yung klase ng pagibig na iyon nadevelop siya through the years. And then nakatulong kung anong meron sa mundo, kung ano yung pakiramdam natin ngayon sa panahon. Sana makita ayon sa pelikula kasi ayon talaga yung laman, na saan tayo ngayon,” she said.

Charo shared how their extensive preparations made the production smoother and helped build strong on-screen chemistry.

“Siguro dahil we did a lot of preparation. Marami kaming paguusap ni Direk Irene. Even before we did our first day of filming parang na inhabit namin ang character.. kung ano yung hinihingi ng eksena naibibigay lang namin as characters. Tapos tinitimpla nalang ni Direk. Si Direk nalang ang tumitimpla,” she shared.

For Dingdong, the role was a chance to challenge himself and step out of his comfort zone.

“When I choose roles I wanna take on roles that really challenge me. And si Ryan, pangalan nung character dito, super broken kaya yung pati sa physicality niya there's something that I really experimented on. Type ko yung mga iyon, medyo uncomfortable yung mga roles ko. Uncomfortable really because of the emotional baggage na dala ng character,” he shared.

Only We Know tells the story of Betty (Charo), a retired English teacher facing the stillness of post-career life, who meets Ryan (Dingdong), an engineer mourning the loss of his wife. What begins as an unexpected friendship slowly deepens into a poignant exploration of comfort, healing, and connection.

READ: Charo Santos, Dingdong Dantes take on speed-date style interviews at ‘Only We Know’ media launch

Produced by Cornerstone Studios, AgostoDos Pictures, Star Cinema, and 7K Entertainment, the film premieres in Philippine cinemas on June 11.

International screenings of Only We Know will begin on June 12 in Australia and New Zealand, followed by the U.S., Canada, and Guam on June 13. The film will then be shown in the UAE, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Singapore, Malaysia, and Brunei starting June 19. Screenings in Hong Kong and Macau are also scheduled later in June.

The film also features Shamaine Buencamino, Joel Saracho, Al Tantay, Max Collins, Soliman Cruz, Isabel Oli, Johnny Revilla, Rafa Siguion-Reyna, Yesh Burce, and Gil Cuerva.