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| Alden Richards and Kathryn Bernardo reunite as Ethan and Joy in the highly-anticipated "Hello, Love, Again" by Star Cinema and GMA Pictures (Image Source: Rappler/YouTube/ABS-CBN Star Cinema) |
In another historic collaboration, ABS-CBN’s Star Cinema and GMA Pictures are teaming up for the first time to produce “Hello, Love, Again", the highly anticipated sequel to the blockbuster hit "Hello, Love, Goodbye". ABS-CBN Star Magic's Kathryn Bernardo and Asia's Multimedia Star and Sparkle GMA Artist Center talent Alden Richards of GMA, who were recently hailed as Box Office Queen and King at the 2024 GMMSF Box Office Entertainment Awards, will be reprising their well-loved characters Joy and Ethan, in the said movie while the blockbuster box-office hit film director Cathy Garcia-Sampana, who helmed the original film, returns to direct the sequel that will be shot in Canada.
As first reported on Deadline, the film’s theatrical release begins on November 13, 2024 in the Philippines with international releases following thereafter. The announcement was made and confirmed in a press conference held last May 19, 2024 which was attended by key officers from ABS-CBN and GMA including ABS-CBN President and CEO Carlo Katigbak, ABS-CBN Chief Operating Officer for Broadcast Cory Vidanes, ABS-CBN Film Productions Head Kriz Gazmen, and GMA Network Senior Vice President for Programming, Talent Management, Worldwide and Support and GMA Films President and CEO Atty. Annette Gozon-Valdes. "Hello, Love, Goodbye" was released in theaters in 2019. It became the highest-grossing Filipino film of all time until it was surpassed by Rewind, starring real-life celebrity couple Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera, in January 2024. The film captivated audiences with its heartfelt portrayal of Joy, a domestic helper in Hong Kong, and Ethan, a bartender, whose lives intertwined in a love story. The film ended with Joy pursuing a career in medicine in Canada, while Ethan opened his own business, leaving viewers wondering about the future of their relationship. "Hello, Love, Goodbye" has achieved milestones including grossing over Php880M worldwide and also received critical acclaim for its storytelling, direction, and performances, earning numerous awards from prestigious bodies such as the Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences (FAMAS) and the Gawad Urian. The film also sparked important conversations about the experiences of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), resonating deeply with audiences both in the Philippines and abroad. Its sequel will be set five years after the events of the original film where it is expected to have answers to the questions regarding the futures of both Joy and Ethan following these said events.
For ABS-CBN and GMA, "Hello, Love, Again" is a good way to kick-start their collaboration on films. Atty. Gozon-Valdes recalled how she always teased Sir Carlo to do a "Hello, Love, Goodbye" sequel. When Katigbak recently pitched to do the sequel, Gozon-Valdes realized how it was the right timing to start the two networks' film venture. "I'm actually very happy na wala pa tayong ginagawa na joint venture movie because I think this is the best movie that we can begin with. I'm grateful to Star Cinema and ABS-CBN, and of course to Direk Cathy (Garcia-Sampana), Kathryn (Bernardo), and Alden (Richards), thank you so much for the opportunity that you gave GMA Pictures and we're looking forward to more collaborations to come," said Gozon-Valdes. Meanwhile, Gazmen thanked the ABS-CBN executives for their trust and vowed to elevate the story of Joy and Ethan and hopes that "Hello, Love, Again" would open more doors to craft new projects with GMA Pictures in the future, saying, "'Hello, Love, Goodbye' is a very special movie for us in Star Cinema. It made us believe in the impossible, with its unprecedented box-office success. But more than the monetary gains, it was a testament to our commitment to tell the stories of Filipinos over the world, their sacrifices, their dreams, their love for their families, and also for themselves. Doing a sequel is no easy feat. 'Hello, Love, Goodbye touched so many hearts and we knew that to continue the story of Ethan and Joy, we would need to elevate our game. I know how enormous the pressure is for 'Hello, Love, Again' but I have no doubt that the film is in good hands. With the team as excellent and as passionate as these people on stage right now and with unwavering support of our bosses Sir Mark (Lopez), Sir Carlo (Katigbak), Tita Cory (Vidanes), I know that nothing is impossible. I hope that when the movie comes out in November, the same hearts who were touched by 'HLG', would go to the cinemas and would also touch new hearts of (people), not only here in the Philippine but in the whole world. I would also like to take this time to thank GMA Pictures for joining us in this new journey. Actually, Annette Gozon-Valdes and I have been talking about collaborating for more than two years now and finally timing is everything talaga. So this is it, Annette! I know that this is only the beginning of a beautiful and fruitful partnership and together. I'm claiming it, Annette, we're going to do and we're going to make history again."
For many years, Star Cinema has been telling heartwarming stories of Filipinos and shedding light on the realities of Filipinos living and working abroad through silver screen features. Among its remarkable films from the past decades are “Anak", "Barcelona: A Love Untold", "Caregiver", “Dubai", “In The Name of Love” and “Milan". Star Cinema, along with APT Entertainment and Agosto Dos Pictures, also produced the highest-grossing Filipino film of all time “Rewind", Meanwhile, GMA Pictures has produced notable films that touch on key social issues in the Philippines. It led the production of critically acclaimed movies “Muro Ami” and “Deathrow", the historical drama, “Jose Rizal" as well as blockbuster hits like “Let The Love Begin” and “Ang Panday.” Last year, it released the movie “Firefly” which earned the Best Picture award in the 2023 Metro Manila Film Festival and 2024 Manila International Film Festival.
