Dannyka Manangan

Director Dan Villegas thrilled over ‘Almost Us’ success, open to do another project with JM Ibarra and Fyang Smith

Article (news)

Nikka Avegail Sabio

Push Team

<p>Director Dan Villegas expressed his gratitude and happiness over the warm reception of his latest film <em>Almost Us</em>, starring JM Ibarra and Fyang Smith. Direk Dan admitted that he did not expect the film to resonate strongly with viewers, especially since it had been years since he last directed a romantic-comedy film.</p><p>“Super happy ako sa reception sa <em>Almost Us</em>. Super happy kasi first balik ko sa romcom since <em>Exes Baggage</em> noong 2018. Noong nanonood ako ng mga screenings, natutuwa ako na kinikilig ang mga tao,” Director Dan told <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz"><strong>PUSH ABS-CBN</strong>.</a></p><div><strong></strong><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=476&amp;href=https%3A%2F%2Fweb.facebook.com%2Freel%2F1509675604153215%2F&amp;show_text=false&amp;width=267&amp;t=0" width="267" height="476" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><strong></strong></div><p>“Kinakabahan din ako kasi very Gen Z ‘yung kwento and medyo matanda na tayo so parang natutuwa ako na nakarelate ‘yung mga tao. Umiyak, tumawa and kinilig,” he added.</p><p>Beyond the film’s positive feedback, the director also shared how happy he was for the performance of the movie’s lead stars. Direk Dan praised both JM and Fyang for their professionalism and dedication on set.</p><p>“Super happy ako for JM and Fyang. ‘Yung dalawa, masarap sila kawork, super sipag, super professional,” the director expressed. </p><p>He went on: “Paulit-ulit ko sinasabi kapag tinatanong ako how was it working with JM and Fyang na parang it&#x27;s one thing to be good at what you do and another thing to be professional, to be on time. And ‘yung dalawa na iyon, mayroon parehas, kaya super happy for them.”</p><p>When asked if he would be open to working again with the two former <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/pbbgen112024"><em><strong>Pinoy Big Brother Gen 11</strong></em></a> housemates, Direk Dan and screenwriter Miguel Sevilla both said they were willing to reunite with the pair for another project.</p><p>“Oo naman. Part two (siguro), <em>Finally Us</em> or <em>Always Us</em>,” Direk Dan and Miguel suggested.</p><div><strong></strong></div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-8" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DUm7kSNAHZ1/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A8%2C%22os%22%3A2480959.499999999%2C%22ls%22%3A657436.2000000002%2C%22le%22%3A657440.6000000006%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="857" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-8" 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><strong></strong></div><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2026/4/25/dan-villegas-all-praises-for-jm-ibarra-and-fyang-smith-they-exceeded-my-expectations-2144"><strong>READ: Dan Villegas all praises for JM Ibarra and Fyang Smith: ‘They exceeded my expectations!’</strong></a></div><p>Three days after its nationwide release, <em>Almost Us </em>reportedly earned more than ₱5 million on its first day alone, making it one of the latest Filipino films to achieve a high opening gross this year, following Anne Curtis and Jericho Rosales’ <em>The Loved One</em> last February.</p><p>In a social media post, Regal Entertainment thanked moviegoers for their overwhelming support.</p><p>“GRABE KAYO 🥹🩷 Thank you for making #AlmostUs earn over ₱5 MILLION+ nationwide on opening day! 🍿✨</p><p>Dahil sa walang sawang suporta n’yo, we’re opening MORE CINEMAS nationwide para mas marami pang makakilig, masasaktan, at mapapaamin 👀🎬</p><p>Ramdam na ramdam namin ang pagmamahal n’yo sa bawat tili, tawa, iyak moments inside the cinema 🫶,” they said in a post.</p><div><strong></strong></div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-9" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DYD0Kq3D523/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A9%2C%22os%22%3A2482318.8999999994%2C%22ls%22%3A657436.2000000002%2C%22le%22%3A657440.6000000006%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="857" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-9" 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><strong></strong></div><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/movies-series/2026/4/26/exclusive-jm-ibarra-fyang-smith-tease-the-story-behind-jm-s-topless-scene-in-almost-us-1641"><strong>READ: EXCLUSIVE: JM Ibarra, Fyang Smith tease the story behind JM’s topless scene in Almost Us: ‘Hindi siya pa-yummy’</strong></a></div><p>The film follows the story of a young woman obsessed with her celebrity idol, with her guy best friend supporting her fantasies even while secretly harboring feelings for her.</p><p>During the <em>Almost Us</em> press conference, Direk Dan also revealed that he had long wanted to work with JM after watching one of the actor’s films at Cinemalaya.</p><p>“Sobrang happy kasi first time kong na-encounter si JM, napanuod ko yung pelikula niya sa Cinemalaya. Tapos sabi ko gusto ko maka-work itong actor na ito. Nung night na yun, nag-research ako tapos nakita ko ‘yung love team nila, meron palang JMFyang. Tapos pinanood ko ‘yung mga ano nila, kinikilig ako eh,” Direk Dan shared during the <em>Almost Us</em> presscon.</p>

<p><b>Director Dan Villegas praises JM Ibarra and Fyang Smith for their skill and professionalism on their debut film ‘Almost Us.’</b></p>

Director Dan Villegas praises JM Ibarra and Fyang Smith for their skill and professionalism on their debut film ‘Almost Us.’