Take it from Inang

Director Olivia M. Lamasan proved an astute teacher sharing with both Daniel and Kathryn newfound acting wisdom
Daniel Padilla and Kathryn Bernardo of popular love team KathNiel learned a lot working with director Olivia Lamasan in the upcoming film “Barcelona: A Love Untold.”

Among these is the pursuit of excellence, Daniel said at a press conference.

“Halimbawa, ang hirap-hirap na nu’ng eksena pero pipigain ka niya ng pipigain para malabas ’yung tamang emotion na kailangan,” shared the 21-year-old.

He revealed that Inang taught him a different approach to internalization.

“Bale sinusulat niya sa papel ang emotion na kailangan para sa susunod na eksena then ibibigay niya sa amin ’yun. Sinasabi niya na isapuso namin ’yung emotion na nakasulat dun sa papel. Ini-explain niya na ito para pagdating ng scene eh, na-internalize na namin. Kumbaga ready na kaming ibigay ito.”

Another thing he learned from Inang is the need to be professional at all times.

“Kasi kami ni Kathryn usually we hang out sa set, nagtatawanan kami eh, hindi puwede ’yun kay Inang lalo na kapag may intense scene na kukunan kasi mawawala daw kami sa elemento namin at hindi kami makakapag-deliver ng maayos pagdating ng take,” he shared.

Though it required big adjustment on his part, Daniel is thankful to work under Inang.

“Ang sarap maka-trabaho ang ganu’ng director. ’Yung talagang tutulungan ka sa eksena mo.”

Kathryn agreed. “Ngayon alam ko na kung bakit andaming artista gusto maka-trabaho si Inang,” she said. “Ang dami mong matutunan sa kanya.”

“Kami ni DJ, parang nag-back to zero kami. Dito na-realize namin na ang dami pa naming kailangang i-improve. Pero masaya kasi alam naming magagamit namin ang mga natutunan namin sa mga darating pang panahon. We’re very thankful na tinanggap talaga ni Inang ang project na ito.”

The young actress shared how Inang meticulously guided them in each scene.

“Pigang-piga kami dito, talagang all out,” she said. “Talagang tinutukan kami ni Inang.

“Grabe ang guidance niya sa amin sa movie na ito – kung paano namin i-deliver ang lines, kung paano ang pag-iyak sa eksena na ito, kung paano sabihin ’yung mga linya… lahat ’yun binantayan niya.”

“Barcelona: A Love Untold” is Daniel and Kathryn’s way of thanking fans for their unending support in the last five years.

Daniel shared the film will allow fans to see him and Kathryn in a new light, noting how it is their most mature outing yet.

“Magugulat kayo at maninibago sa layo ng mga characters namin sa dati naming films,” he said.

Kathryn, on her part, noted, “Nagulat din kami ni DJ sa mga eksena na ginawa namin dito, kung paano ang pagkasulat, kung paano ’yung pagka-shoot. Sabi namin, very mature na tayo dito. Ang layo, ang layo talaga sa mga dati naming ginagawa sa totoo lang.”

Asked if he and Kathryn will have a kissing scene in the film, Daniel replied, “Ayoko masyadong magsalita… panoorin ninyo na lang.”

Kathryn wasn’t as careful. She let slip, “Aside from the kissing scenes…’yung kissing scene…” before veering off, “…kung meron man… basta, ang daming kailangang abangan doon sa story.”

Though obviously making sweet music together, the tandem are yet to admit to the public the real score between them.

Not just an OFW movie

Film co-writer Carmi Raymundo shared “Barcelona: A Love Untold” is about family, forgiveness and new beginnings.

“We hope that people will see a part of themselves sa journey ni Ely (played by Daniel) and Mia (Kathryn), ’yung paghahangad nila ng pagbabago,” she said.

She explained the film is not about OFWs but rather of Filipinos in general.

“Pero dahil nasa ibang bansa ang setting ’di natin maiiwasan na magkaroon ng kwento ng kababayan natin na namumuhay at nagta-trabaho doon,” she said.

Carmi shared they went to Barcelona prior the actual shoot to interview Filipinos there.

“Para mas ma-enrich pa ’yung story inalam namin kung ano ang mga nangyayari sa kanila du’n,” she said.

“Barcelona: A Love Untold,” showing in cinemas worldwide starting Sept. 14, revolves around Ely, a man who can’t get over his past love; and Mia, a woman rebuilding her life escaping a painful past. The two will meet and fall in love.