Chad Vidanes’ latest film, the highly anticipated rom-com My Love Will Make You Disappear, reunites actors Kim Chiu and Paulo Avelino for their third project together. Having previously co-starred on the television hits Linlang and What Happened to Secretary Kim, My Love Will Make You Disappear marks their first film.
The film follows Sari (Chiu), a young woman who believes herself to be cursed after being told as a child that every boy she falls in love with and kisses, will disappear. As a kid and in her teens, Sari tested this out only for her beloved to vanish. Resigning herself to a life without love, Sari works a steady government job and takes care of her neighbours in Tahanan Homes, an old housing complex with eccentric residents, including Lola Remy, the owner of Tahanan.
Sari’s life turns upside down after the passing of Lola Remy, who left the property to her troubled grandson Jolo (Avelino). With his debts mounting and loan sharks out for blood, Jolo sells Tahanan without much thought towards the tenants and the community they have built. Jolo slowly grows to understand the consequence of his actions, while Sari feels the pull of Jolo’s spirit.
My Love Will Make You Disappear asks its audience to believe in the magic of kilig and be patient with ourselves in the process. It’s an endearing film elevated by Chiu and Avelino’s heartfelt performances and palpable chemistry. The Asian Cut had the pleasure of speaking with the film’s two stars ahead of the film’s theatrical release in the Philippines (March 26) and North America (March 28).
(This interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.)
TAC: This is the third time working together, was there anything that surprised you about the other person this time around? Kim, let’s start with you.
Kim Chiu: There’s a lot of surprises in this movie, especially for Paulo. He’s always been into serious drama, heavy drama, or historical drama. It’s very seldom to see him act in a romantic comedy movie. Paulo has really good comedic timing, and you can see it in the movie.
Paulo Avelino: I actually paid her to say that. Add like, 20 more later.
KC: [laughs] He has really good comedic timing; and most people don’t know that he doesn’t like pogi shot. What [do] you call that?
PA: Beauty shot.
KC: Beauty shot! He acts cringey [about] that: “It’s so cringey.” But he looks extra good! He does it in a very natural way.
TAC: Paulo, how about Kim? Any surprises?
PA: Kim’s like a box of surprises. It’s always different every time. During Linlang, there was awkwardness; during What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim she was more bubbly, even though she was going through a lot [at] that time. Here, she was actually, I would say, more loose. She was more restrained in what she says [to me] before, or more careful when she talks to me, but now she just doesn’t care. She just tells me whatever she thinks, whatever is on her mind.
TAC: That’s really sweet. Something I found really compelling in this movie is the journey Sari goes on in discovering something she was told at a young age, and carried with her through her whole life, just wasn’t true. What’s something about relationships that you believed to be true when you were a kid and discovered to be completely wrong as an adult? Paulo, how about we start with you this time.
PA: I’m very lucky that my parents are still together, but growing up, you see a lot of fights and you don’t really understand what’s happening. It’s something that you get to understand a little bit better once you grow up. I’m not married yet, but…how would I explain it? Could Kim go first [laughs], [so I can] compose my thoughts?
TAC: Of course!
KC: As a kid, I thought that your first boyfriend will [be] the one you get married [to] — your first, your last. When I had my first boyfriend, I thought, ‘He’s the one I’m going to marry.’ So when we broke up, I really cried, I [was] so devastated. I thought it’s the end of the world [laughs]
PA: I have the same answer [laughs]
TAC: For me, Lola Remy is the heart of the film. She looks after Sari, she stood by Jolo. Who is that person in your life that has stood by you through the good and the bad?
KC: My sister! My big sister. Her name is Kam. I’m Kim, and she’s Kam. She’s 10 years older than me, and she always takes care of me. Since the first day I started show business, until today, she takes care of me. She even didn’t want to get married just to take care of me.
TAC: Wow, that’s very sweet. Paulo?
PA: Not to destroy the mood and make everything dark [laughs]. I left home at a very early age, and I learned to do everything on my own. Upon leaving home, I thought I had to fend for myself all the time — no one’s there to help me but myself. But I realized my parents were always there. They were always just waiting. They were always there to support me anytime I needed help. [I’m] very thankful and grateful for that. So I would say both my parents.
TAC: That’s a great answer to end on. Thank you both for your time and congratulations on the film!
