Love, choices, and changes — there are only so many words that can capture the story waiting to unfold in Star Cinema’s latest offering, “Always Yours, Never Mine”, headlined by Joshua Garcia and Julia Barretto.
The cast and creators opened up about the film’s story, characters, and themes during their Grand Media Day at Uptown Mall Cinema, on Friday, September 18. The event offered a deeper look at the film’s central romance, with Robi Domingo serving as host for the afternoon.
The stars of the night, Joshua and Julia, walked hand in hand on the red carpet, both beaming as they greeted the crowd. Julia looked ethereal in a white evening gown, while Joshua kept things effortlessly stylish in a khaki jacket paired with brown pants.
Bianca Umali also brought her own glow to the red carpet in an orange satin top, receiving a warm welcome from the crowd.
Joining them were supporting cast members Migs Almendras, Bob Jbeili, Karen Reyes, and Joy Barcoma, who each had their shining moment with fans and the press. "Always Yours, Never Mine" writer Vanessa Valdez also graced the red carpet, donning an elegant dark blue ensemble.
The rush of emotions began almost immediately as the official trailer for “Always Yours, Never Mine” was unveiled. Set across different stages of their lives, the trailer follows the enduring connection between Apollo (Joshua) and Luna (Julia), ultimately asking: “How can you love the same person forever?”
Inside the cinema, the atmosphere grew even more intimate as the film’s official soundtrack, Ice Seguerra's take on Nonoy Zuñiga's “Kumusta Ka?”, played in the background, setting the mood for the story that awaits audiences.
Writer Vanessa Valdez opened the conversation by sharing the significance of the song to the film, revealing that “Kumusta Ka?” is what director Cathy Garcia-Sampana hears in her head whenever she imagines Apollo and Luna’s story.
“Malaking parte talaga nung kwento ‘yung mga salitang ‘kumusta ka,’ kasi sa tuwing magkikita si Apollo at si Luna, ‘yun ang tinatanong nila sa isa’t isa,” Vanessa explained. “Nakakabit talaga s’ya sa kwento.”
For Joy Barcoma, who is set to make her feature film debut with "Always Yours, Never Mine", the trailer offers a simple but meaningful takeaway about love and the importance of advocating for oneself.
“There are far [greater] things than love, and it is self-love,” she shared.
Marking her first film with Star Cinema, Bianca Umali also expressed her gratitude for being part of a project that brings together talented actors and creators, before offering her own reflection on the film.
Bianca said, “This film will make you question, anong klaseng pagmamahal ang kaya mong panindigan?”
As the question-and-answer segment began, the cast and creators explored the deeper meanings behind the film, starting with its intriguing title.
For Julia, there is an inherent pain in the phrase “Always Yours, Never Mine”, particularly in loving someone who may not be able to give that same love back.
Julia explained her interpretation of the title: “It’s like, you have me always, I’m always yours, I’m dedicated, I’m committed to you, but how come I can’t have this one thing that I’m so committed to… I just want to love you, to care for you. Why can’t you be mine?”
Joshua then playfully fired back with a simple, “Bakit kaya?”
This prompted Julia to explain that people change, before sending the room into laughter by also joking, “Parang pume-personal na ‘to Josh, ha?”
For Vanessa, the upcoming film also marks a personal milestone as a writer, as it is the first time she has written characters who are closer to her own age. “This is the first time I’m writing a story na kaedad ko ‘yung characters,” she shared.
According to Vanessa, that passage of time also gives the title another meaning, leading to a more profound reflection about love, individuality, and the danger of treating someone as though they belong to you.
“Pwede mo ring masabi, 'pag napanood mo itong pelikulang ‘to, ‘your life is always yours and never mine,’” she explained. “Ang kailangan rin minsan matutunan ng tao, hindi porke minamahal mo ‘yung tao, pag-aari mo na s’ya, ikaw magdidikta ng buhay n’ya.”
When asked about what drew her to the project, Bianca had nothing but praise for the way Vanessa wrote her character, Gaea.
“She’s also really the ultimate reason why I know she came into my life at the right time,” Bianca shared. “She’s also a representation of kung anong klaseng pagmamahal ang may paninindigan.”
For Joshua, accepting the role of Apollo meant taking on a character whose emotions are often communicated without directly saying what he feels.
“’Yung character kasi ni Apollo... hindi n’ya sinasabi diretso. ‘Yun ‘yung challenge e, paano mo maipapakita ‘yung emosyon ng through your eyes, through paano mo itrato ‘yung characters... Feeling ko ‘yun yung bago din,” he explained.
It is a challenge that allowed Joshua to explore a quieter and more layered performance, as Apollo navigates the different stages of his life and his complicated relationship with Luna.
Near the end of the Q&A, Julia teased that she and Bianca only share one scene together in the film — and it happens to be her favorite.
“I think coming together and having that conversation and that scene was so moving, and I’m so excited for a lot of other women to see it and resonate with it,” Julia said.
Her words visibly touched Bianca, offering another glimpse into the emotional connections that audiences can expect when “Always Yours, Never Mine” finally unfolds on the big screen.
Are you ready to follow a love that perseveres through different eras? Catch Joshua Garcia, Julia Barretto, and the rest of the talented cast of “Always Yours, Never Mine”, directed by Cathy Garcia-Sampana, opening exclusively in cinemas worldwide beginning September 30.
'Always Yours, Never Mine' international screenings
For international audiences, catch "Always Yours, Never Mine" in Australia, New Zealand, and the Middle East (UAE, Qatar, Bahrain) starting October 22, and in the U.S., Canada, and Guam beginning October 23.
Special screenings across Europe will also be held in the United Kingdom and Austria on October 31, as well as Spain, France, and Italy on November 1.
Get a chance to meet Joshua and Julia at their special screenings and meet-and-greets in the United Kingdom and Spain! For tickets to their Genesis Cinema London screenings in London, United Kingdom, on October 31, contact CMQ Events at 07501530530 or events.cmqconsulting.com. Meanwhile, for tickets to their Palacio dela Prensa Cinema screenings in Madrid, Spain, on November 1, contact Jeffrey BC Remit at +34 602 27 55 54.
For more updates on “Always Yours, Never Mine” and other upcoming Star Cinema movies, follow our official Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok, and YouTube pages!
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