JC Santos on working with Rhian Ramos for the first time: ‘I enjoyed every moment of it!’

Known for his endearing roles in romantic films like On Vodka, Beer, & Regrets; 100 Tula Para Kay Stella; The Day After Valentines; Mr. & Mrs. Cruz, actor JC Santos said his latest role as a too idealistic 30-something year old named Ryan Cañete in director Catherine O. Camarillo’s new film Meg & Ryan was intriguing to him because of the film’s premise that opposites attract. 

“Ang role ko kasi dito, kami na lang ng mommy ko ang nasa bahay. So I’m probably a mama’s boy and may standard yung character ko of what love is. May standard siya na yung una mong makikilala, yung una mong ibibigay yung sarili mo, siya na dapat. Sana yung una mong pagbibigyan mo ng sarili mo, sana siya na. With that ideals, I hope na gusto ko pa rin mapunta sa ganung mindset of things. Hindi naman like yung pagbibigyan mo ng physical self, but kung ano yung paglalaanan ko ng pagmamahal, sana siya na. Na-achieve ko naman (laughs). I think yun yung medyo malapit dun sa ideals ko with the character ko,” he shared during the Meg & Ryan grand media conference held last July 9 in Quezon City. 

The film also marks JC’s first time to be paired with his leading lady Rhian Ramos which the talented actor admitted he considers as a check off of his bucket list of artists to collaborate with.  During the presscon, the 34-year-old actor shared his experience with her on the set of Meg & Ryan. 

“Actually, hindi lang si Rhian, everybody here was easy to work with.  Ito yung masarap sa idea na collaboration eh. Minsan talaga magtutugma kayo, minsan hindi. Kadalasan, dito sa grupo na ito, nagtutugma kaming lahat eh. Na-enjoy namin yung process, even the challenges of it. So working with Rhian, ako, until now, I’m still, I’m mean, this is Rhian Ramos. Isa siya sa parang check sa bucket list ko na puwede ko sana makatrabaho ko and athen it’s happening now. At nakita ko yung process niya, nakita ko yung kung papaano siya magtrabaho and I enjoyed every moment of it!” he said.

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JC also shared how he was really invested in the complexity of the characters, especially Rhian’s role as the problematic party girl Meg Zamonte. “Ang pinaka-nagustuhan ko is I wanted to support the complex character of Rhian kasi ang hirap nung role. Natutuwa ako. Ang sarap suportahan nito. At nagtagumpay siya dun sa paggawa nito. Ngayon ko lang siya napanuod na ganun. So ako, nag-enjoy ako sobra,” he said.

READ: EXCLUSIVE: JC Santos excited to produce his first play ‘Red’

Apart from her dedication to her craft, JC also admitted being mesmerized by his new leading lady’s natural talents. “Nakita ko yung dedication kung paano niya ibigay yung truth nung scene. So ako, super sulit sa akin yun. Kasi minsan nanunuod ako eh. Minsan nakakalimutan ko mag-react (laughs) kasi uy, ang galing nun ah! So I find clever things in those things. And binigyan kami ng magandang magandang freedom ni direk para sa mga roles namin. Nakakatuwa kasi nabigay namin yung personality namin para mapaganda namin yung script,” he added. 

Watch Meg & Ryan which opens in cinemas nationwide starting August 6. Directed by Catherine O. Camarillo,DGPI and written by Gina Marissa Tagasa under Pocket Media Films. The film stars JC Santos, Rhian Ramos, Cedrick Juan, Ces Quesada, Cris Villanueva, Jef Gaitan, and a promising lineup of fresh faces like J-mee Katanyag, Steven Bansil, Poca Osinaga, and Alison Black.