From reel to real: JMFyang’s ‘almost’ love story unfolds on and off screen

As “Almost Us” explores in-between love, its stars find themselves living it, too.

In an era where love stories no longer rush toward labels, “Almost Us” leans into something more familiar and, arguably, more honest: the in-between.

For Fyang Smith and JM Ibarra, that “almost” isn’t just a theme they portray onscreen. It’s something they’re living through in real time.

“We are very open about our relationship,” Fyang shared during a recent media gathering organized by Regal Entertainment for their film. “JM is still courting me. He has not received an answer yet. It’s still too soon. Pangit kung mamadaliin. We are focused on our career.”

JM, for his part, didn’t deny it. “It’s true. Since then, I’ve been working on that part,” he declared.

That openness mirrors the very core of “Almost Us,” a story built on timing, hesitation, and the quiet tension of “what could be.”

Between the takes and the heartaches

Adding another layer to the dynamic is Dustin Yu, who plays Kenzo. While love triangles often thrive on rivalry, this one takes a more restrained approach.

Offscreen, Dustin is also part of a widely followed pairing with Bianca de Vera, making his presence in “Almost Us” all the more interesting. Yet in the film, his role isn’t positioned to disrupt for the sake of drama, but to support the characters’ journeys.

One moment that has already caught viewers’ attention is a playful yet painful scene featured in the film’s official trailer: JM’s character, RR, hanging off the side of a jeepney, only to be struck in the groin by Fyang’s character, Janine.

Fyang recalled being surprised when director Dan Villegas asked her to do it. “Direk Dan asked me, ‘Fyang, kaya mo bang hampasin si JM?’ I said, ‘Talaga? Sige, Direk gagawin ko.’ First take, I was in full force. He almost fell,” she said, admitting she worried about overdoing it since JM had no protective gear and was literally hanging off the vehicle.

JM, meanwhile, could only laugh about the experience after the fact. “Masakit. Mas masakit pa sa iniwan,” he quipped. He added that they ended up doing multiple takes for different shots, even joking that if it wasn’t done properly, it could delay filming because he wouldn’t be able to stand up.

Love in a time of crisis

That sense of balance extends behind the scenes, where the production is also navigating real-world challenges.

Producer Keith Monteverde acknowledged the current hurdles facing moviegoers. “We just want to give to people… despite the energy crisis,” he said. “This is something they can look forward to.”

With rising costs affecting cinema attendance, Monteverde shared that the team has been working closely with exhibitors to make the film more accessible.

“We’re trying to find ways to make it more affordable. Without doubt, we’ll have more affordable pricing for ‘Almost Us.’ Hopefully, we’ll give people a little bit of escape during these times.”

Behind the camera, writer-director Dan Villegas had long been intent on working with JM, having first taken notice of him through the Cinemalaya film “Child No. 82,” a spark that eventually helped bring the project together.

For now, both the film and its leads remain comfortably in that undefined space—neither here nor there, but compelling precisely because of it. “Almost Us” screens in cinemas starting May 6.

 

 

We’re trying to find ways to make it more affordable. Without doubt, we’ll have more affordable pricing for ‘Almost Us.’ Hopefully, we’ll give people a little bit of escape during these times.

Keith Monteverde

 

 

READ: