• “When I Met You in Tokyo” is a heartwarming love story about two Filipino workers abroad who became friends and eventually fell in love. Although the characters are older, their story is very relatable, proving that love has no boundaries when it comes to age or social status.

After 48 years, Star for All Seasons Vilma Santos-Recto and King of Philippine Drama Christopher “Boyer” De Leon reunite again for their upcoming film “When I Met You In Tokyo” under JG Productions, Inc.

Having worked on successful projects, the duo has undeniable on-screen chemistry.

“Ganun pa rin eh, natatawa nga kaming dalawa kasi parang it’s better nga kasi we’re more mature,” said Vilma, who laughingly described their timeless chemistry as “magic.”

The highly-anticipated film “When I Met You in Tokyo” is written by Suzette Doctolero and directed by Rado Peru and Rommel Penza, with Christopher de Leon as associate director. JG Productions, Inc. hopes that “When I Met You In Tokyo” will make it to the final 4 of the eight entries to the 2023 Metro Manila Film Festival.

“When I Met You in Tokyo” is a heartwarming love story about two Filipino workers abroad who became friends and eventually fell in love. Although the characters are older, their story is very relatable, proving that love has no boundaries regarding age or social status.

Vilma admitted she fell in love with the project easily when it was offered to her.

“I’m very excited about the movie. Right away, I fell in love with the story plus with Christopher pa kaya di ako nahirapan umoo. I chose this film because I know facing the camera won’t be easy again. With Yetbo alam ko na he will guide me, he will motivate me kasi malalabas niya kung anuman ang character ko,” she said.

Vilma and Boyet first teamed up in the blockbuster movie “Tag-ulan Sa Tag-araw” in 1975. It was followed by other hit and award-winning projects like “Relasyon,” “Hanggang Ngayon Ika’y Minamahal,” “Minsan Pa Nating Hagkan ang Nakaraan,” “Sinasamba Kita,” “Imortal,” and “Dekada ’70.” The last time they worked together for a movie was in 2004 for Mano Po 3.

“I missed the team-up with Yetbo,” she also said.

Almost 95 percent of the movie was filmed for a month in Japan. Christopher was impressed with the location.

“Ang sarap, super sarap. Japan is so visually rich, ‘yun ang reason kung bakit kami dun nag-shoot. We don’t see much more of the city, siguro mga 20 percent, but the main story revolves around ‘yung mga outskirts of Japan, the culture of Japan. The beauty of the countryside in Japan, mas nag-concentrate kami dun,” he said.

On working for the project, Vilma said: “It was very smooth, may mga obstacles natural naman ‘yun di ba? Kahit naman dito but again we all worked hard, talagang binigay namin yung share ng bawat isa. Especially ako, in my case, talagang isinapuso.ko si Azon same thing I guess with Yetbo as Joey.and then yung aming mga producers and all.the staff. We also have a very reliable technical  staff headed by, of course, by Shayne Sarte, yung aming cinematographer.”

Vilma reassured viewers that “When I Met You in Tokyo” portrays mature and intelligent love.

“Kung ano yung nakikita nyong acting namin sa age namin ngayon, ganito rin ‘yung makikita nyo sa movie. Di kami magbabata-bataan pero di naman kami yung uugod-ugod. Kung gaano kami kakalog ngayon, ito pa rin yung makikita nyo sa pelikula,” she said.

She added: “Hindi ito yung love na pang-teenager lang na type kita ngayon, bukas hindi. It’s more of you will feel a more mature and true love sa klase ng movie na ginawa namin. Yun ang difference siguro. We will show here ‘yung quality ng isang pagmamahal.”

Boyet said watching the movie would bring laughter and reignite love within you.

“What we are going to show in this movie is a different kind of love, creative and quality love. Even if you’re much older than our age now, it doesn’t stop. If you watch the movie, you’ll laugh and fall in love. In love, there are no boundaries,” he added.