When I Met U
Encyclopedia
When I Met U is a 2009
Philippine
romantic comedy
film directed by Joel Lamangan
. The screenplay
by Aloy Adlawan
was written for Jose Javier Reyes
to direct, Reyes later left after "creative difference". The title of the film is derived from an OPM song by Filipino musical group Apo Hiking Society
called "When I Met You" which is also the film's official soundtrack.
The film premiered in the Philippines on February 11, 2009 – being the second movie of Richard Gutierrez
and KC Concepcion
after For the First Time
, and the fifth Valentine movie in five consecutive years.
) is an unpretentious mall promodizer searching for true love. A hopeless romantic, her quest leads her to Benjie (Richard Gutierrez
), a cargo pilot who offers her the love she truly yearns. An unlikely romance begins when she hitches a ride with Benjie to attend a wedding in Palawan
. On board, they openly show their dislike for each other but when the aircraft crashes in an unknown island, the two turn to each other for comfort and eventually absolve their differences.
said, "it's way much better than their debut movie, 'For the First Time
', thanks mainly to the well-written script of Aloy Adlawan
". Bautista continues to rain praises acting, as well, "give winning performances". He concludes, claiming that "Richard has done many Valentine movies and this is certainly one of the best. It's as entertaining as his Valentine flick with Marian Rivera last year", which was My Bestfriend's Girlfriend.
Nel Alejandrino of People's Tonight said, "All four are right for the roles they portray. Even the circumstances which allowed total strangers Jenny and Benjie to cross paths, wika nga, is believable." He continues to rave for Iya Villania
's performance, claiming she "was a revelation. Ang galing niya bilang mapagmahal at sophisticated na girlfriend ni Richard. Her character personifies the saying that “hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.”" (She's so good at playing a loving and sophisticated girlfriend for Richard). However, he also expressed disappointment on some scenes being too long.
, the country’s biggest theater earning an estimated P1.3-M on the mall’s cinema, second biggest opening day income of all the Filipino movies shown at SM City North EDSA.
According to Box Office Mojo, the romantic flick grossed more than ₱ 32.46 million in Manila alone for the week of February 11–15, 2009. Box Office Mojo expressly stated at the bottom of the webpage that for the week of February 11–15, "The chart only includes information from Manila marketplace. Nationwide figures are not yet available."
The final gross of the movie is P164,287,599 according to box office mojo.
2009 in film
The year 2009 saw the release of many films. Seven made the top 50 list of highest-grossing films, and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced that as of this year, their Best Picture category would consist of ten nominees, rather than five .- Highest-grossing films :Please note...
Philippine
Cinema of the Philippines
Cinema of the Philippines started with the introduction of the first moving pictures to the country on January 1, 1897 at the Salón de Pertierra in Manila. The following year, local scenes were shot on film for the first time by a Spaniard, Antonio Ramos, using the Lumiere Cinematograph...
romantic comedy
Romantic Comedy
Romantic Comedy can refer to* Romantic Comedy , a 1979 play written by Bernard Slade* Romantic Comedy , a 1983 film adapted from the play and starring Dudley Moore and Mary Steenburgen...
film directed by Joel Lamangan
Joel Lamangan
Joel Lamangan is a Filipino film director, television director and actor. He rose to fame in the early 1990s as an auteur dramatic filmmaker. His award-winning films includes Sidhi, Deathrow, Hubog, Aishte Imasu 1941, Blue Moon and Mano Po.On August 19, 2008, Lamangan directed his first indie movie...
. The screenplay
Screenplay
A screenplay or script is a written work that is made especially for a film or television program. Screenplays can be original works or adaptations from existing pieces of writing. In them, the movement, actions, expression, and dialogues of the characters are also narrated...
by Aloy Adlawan
Aloy Adlawan
A Chemical Engineer by profession, Aloy Adlawan is a multi-awarded Filipino filmmaker- writer, producer, director, composer...
was written for Jose Javier Reyes
José Javier Reyes
Jose Javier Reyes is a Filipino writer, director, miscellaneous crew and actor. He has won awards at the Gawad Urian, Metro Manila Film Festival and Filipino Star Awards for Movies for his films, which include Pahiram Ng Isang Umaga, Batang PX and Kasal, kasali, kasalo.-References:...
to direct, Reyes later left after "creative difference". The title of the film is derived from an OPM song by Filipino musical group Apo Hiking Society
APO Hiking Society
The Apolinario Mabini Hiking Society, later popularly known as Apo Hiking Society or, simply, Apo, was a Filipino musical group. The group had its fledgling beginnings in 1969 at the Ateneo de Manila high school, with thirteen members: Lito de Joya, Sonny Santiago, Gus Cosio, Renato Garcia, Chito...
called "When I Met You" which is also the film's official soundtrack.
The film premiered in the Philippines on February 11, 2009 – being the second movie of Richard Gutierrez
Richard Gutiérrez
Richard Kristian Rama Gutierrez, popularly known as Richard Gutierrez , is a television actor and commercial model who works in Filipino productions.-Biography:Gutierrez is the son of Eduardo P...
and KC Concepcion
KC Concepcion
KC Concepcion is a Filipina actress and singer and who is currently a National Ambassador Against Hunger of the UN's World Food Programme.- Personal life :...
after For the First Time
For the First Time (2008 film)
For The First Time is a 2008 Filipino romantic film produced by Star Cinema. It stars Richard Gutierrez and KC Concepcion. The film was shot in the Philippines and in Santorini, Greece.-Synopsis:...
, and the fifth Valentine movie in five consecutive years.
Plot
Jenny (KC ConcepcionKC Concepcion
KC Concepcion is a Filipina actress and singer and who is currently a National Ambassador Against Hunger of the UN's World Food Programme.- Personal life :...
) is an unpretentious mall promodizer searching for true love. A hopeless romantic, her quest leads her to Benjie (Richard Gutierrez
Richard Gutiérrez
Richard Kristian Rama Gutierrez, popularly known as Richard Gutierrez , is a television actor and commercial model who works in Filipino productions.-Biography:Gutierrez is the son of Eduardo P...
), a cargo pilot who offers her the love she truly yearns. An unlikely romance begins when she hitches a ride with Benjie to attend a wedding in Palawan
Palawan
Palawan is an island province of the Philippines located in the MIMAROPA region or Region 4. Its capital is Puerto Princesa City, and it is the largest province in the country in terms of total area of jurisdiction. The islands of Palawan stretch from Mindoro in the northeast to Borneo in the...
. On board, they openly show their dislike for each other but when the aircraft crashes in an unknown island, the two turn to each other for comfort and eventually absolve their differences.
Principal cast
- Richard GutierrezRichard GutiérrezRichard Kristian Rama Gutierrez, popularly known as Richard Gutierrez , is a television actor and commercial model who works in Filipino productions.-Biography:Gutierrez is the son of Eduardo P...
as Benjie - KC ConcepcionKC ConcepcionKC Concepcion is a Filipina actress and singer and who is currently a National Ambassador Against Hunger of the UN's World Food Programme.- Personal life :...
as Jenny - Alfred VargasAlfred VargasAlfredo Paolo Dumlao Vargas III is a Filipino actor and model. He was elected councilor in the 2nd District of Quezon City in 2010.-Biography and Career:...
as Albert - Iya VillaniaIya VillaniaRaelene Elaine Ebaler Villanía , better known as Iya Villania, is a Filipino-Australian actress, host, singer, dancer, and model. She has hosted on TV shows like ASAP Mania, Us Girls and as a VJ for MYX music channel.-Early life:Villanía was born in Camperdown, Australia but grew up in Sydney...
as Tracy - Cherry Pie PicacheCherry Pie PicacheCherry Pie Castro Picache is a Filipina actress and screenwriter who has starred T.V. and films and has worked as a model for modelling Palmolive, Camay, and Eskinol.Picache attended St. Mary's College in Mo...
as Chonching - Tirso Cruz IIITirso Cruz IIITirso Cruz III is a Filipino actor and singer. He is one of the famous actors in Philippine show business.-Biography and career:...
as Kardo - Chanda RomeroChanda RomeroChanda Romero is a Philippine actress. She is mostly seen on GMA Network.-Television:-Movies:-References:...
as Sylvia - Tonton GutierrezTonton GutierrezTonton Gutierrez is a Filipino film actor.-Early life:Tonton Gutierrez was born to Eddie Gutierrez and his first wife, actress Liza Lorena. He is the half-brother of Ramon Christopher, with second wife and actress Pilita Corrales...
as Manny - Bearwin MeilyBearwin MeilyBearwin Meily is a Filipino Actor. He started his career as an extra Palibhasa Lalake in ABS-CBN and eventually became regular. But later on he moved to ABS-CBN's rival network GMA 7. When his showbiz career eventually slowed down, Bearwin turned his attention to magic and is now a professional...
as Tato - Chariz SolomonChariz SolomonCharyze Pagotan-Solomon, better known by her screen name Chariz Solomon , is a Filipina actress and television personality, who is one of the hosts in the Philippine television program Startalk...
as Kim - Perla Bautista as Evva /Albert's Lola
- Bubbles Paraiso as Vernice
- Paolo Paraiso as Teddy
- Matty Lozano as Marcus
- Ynez Veneracion as Cynthia
- Raquel Villavicencio as Beverly/Tracy's Mom
Critical reception
The film has received generally positive reviews from critics, obtaining a Grade B from the Cinema Evaluation Board of the Philippines, although to Bong De Leon of Journal Online, "KC Concepcion and Richard Gutierrez can now heave a sigh of relief after their second movie together, "When I Met U" made the grade. It deserves more than B.". Mario E. Bautista of the People's JournalPeople's Journal (newspaper)
People's Journal is an English language daily newspaper published by the Philippine Journalists Incorporated...
said, "it's way much better than their debut movie, 'For the First Time
For the First Time (2008 film)
For The First Time is a 2008 Filipino romantic film produced by Star Cinema. It stars Richard Gutierrez and KC Concepcion. The film was shot in the Philippines and in Santorini, Greece.-Synopsis:...
', thanks mainly to the well-written script of Aloy Adlawan
Aloy Adlawan
A Chemical Engineer by profession, Aloy Adlawan is a multi-awarded Filipino filmmaker- writer, producer, director, composer...
". Bautista continues to rain praises acting, as well, "give winning performances". He concludes, claiming that "Richard has done many Valentine movies and this is certainly one of the best. It's as entertaining as his Valentine flick with Marian Rivera last year", which was My Bestfriend's Girlfriend.
Nel Alejandrino of People's Tonight said, "All four are right for the roles they portray. Even the circumstances which allowed total strangers Jenny and Benjie to cross paths, wika nga, is believable." He continues to rave for Iya Villania
Iya Villania
Raelene Elaine Ebaler Villanía , better known as Iya Villania, is a Filipino-Australian actress, host, singer, dancer, and model. She has hosted on TV shows like ASAP Mania, Us Girls and as a VJ for MYX music channel.-Early life:Villanía was born in Camperdown, Australia but grew up in Sydney...
's performance, claiming she "was a revelation. Ang galing niya bilang mapagmahal at sophisticated na girlfriend ni Richard. Her character personifies the saying that “hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.”" (She's so good at playing a loving and sophisticated girlfriend for Richard). However, he also expressed disappointment on some scenes being too long.
Box office
The film opened in SM City North EDSASM City North EDSA
SM City North EDSA is the largest mall in the Philippines, and the world’s third biggest in terms of leasable area . It is operated by SM Prime Holdings, a local holding company in the Philippines, the biggest retail and mall operator in Southeast Asia...
, the country’s biggest theater earning an estimated P1.3-M on the mall’s cinema, second biggest opening day income of all the Filipino movies shown at SM City North EDSA.
According to Box Office Mojo, the romantic flick grossed more than ₱ 32.46 million in Manila alone for the week of February 11–15, 2009. Box Office Mojo expressly stated at the bottom of the webpage that for the week of February 11–15, "The chart only includes information from Manila marketplace. Nationwide figures are not yet available."
The final gross of the movie is P164,287,599 according to box office mojo.
Soundtrack
A 11-track official soundtrack for the film was released by Sony BMG. Here are the track-listing:- "When I Met You" by APO Hiking SocietyAPO Hiking SocietyThe Apolinario Mabini Hiking Society, later popularly known as Apo Hiking Society or, simply, Apo, was a Filipino musical group. The group had its fledgling beginnings in 1969 at the Ateneo de Manila high school, with thirteen members: Lito de Joya, Sonny Santiago, Gus Cosio, Renato Garcia, Chito...
- "Gusto Ko La-mang Sa Buhay" by ItchywormsItchywormsThe Itchyworms is a Filipino rock band whose music is primarily guitar-driven rock with pronounced 1960s and 1980s pop sensibilities and embellished with two- or three-part vocal harmonies...
- "BMD (Bring Me Down)" by CueshéCueshéCueshé is a Filipino pop rock band from Cebu, Philippines, currently based in Manila.-Background:In March 2005, the group decided to move to the Philippine capital of Manila...
- "Gusto Na Kita" by 6 Cycle Mind
- "Ikaw Pa Rin" by KC ConcepcionKC ConcepcionKC Concepcion is a Filipina actress and singer and who is currently a National Ambassador Against Hunger of the UN's World Food Programme.- Personal life :...
- "Hintay" by CallalilyCallalilyCallalily is a 4-piece OPM band from the Philippines, composed of Kean Cipriano, Tatsi Jamnague, Aaron Ricafrente and Lemuel Belaro.- Background :...
- "Di Nakikita" by Roots of Nature
- "Migraine" by Moonstar 88Moonstar 88Moonstar88 is a female-fronted band in the Philippine local music scene.As of April 2008, they have released three albums, Popcorn, Press to Play and Todo Combo, and collaborated on one track, Pag-Ibig Ko Sa Iyo, found on RoK On! Music Inspired By Ragnarok Online.They also performed a rendition of...
- "Letter Day Story" by KC ConcepcionKC ConcepcionKC Concepcion is a Filipina actress and singer and who is currently a National Ambassador Against Hunger of the UN's World Food Programme.- Personal life :...
- "Hanggang Dito Na Lang" by Jimmy Bondoc
- "When I Met You" by KC Concepcion and Richard Gutierrez