From their unexpected pairing in the hit series Maria Clara at Ibarra, Barbie Forteza and David Licauco, known to their fans as BarDa, are bringing excitement back to theaters with their first movie together.
Titled That Kind of Love and directed by Catherine Camarillo, this romantic date movie seeks to showcase why BarDa has won the hearts of many and how their chemistry translates to the big screen.
At a press conference for the film, Barbie shared insights on how the movie offers a new dimension to their partnership.
“David and I have grown significantly as actors. On TV, our performances span many episodes. The film, however, captures the same essence within a limited timeframe,” Barbie explained.
The 26-year-old actress pointed out the movie’s production quality and how it enhanced their performances to be more cinematic.
“Experiencing BarDa in this film will be unique because we’ve matured as actors. Our style, characters, and appearances reflect this growth. And we thank our director and the movie itself for making that appear on the screen,” she added.
The film aims to rekindle the magic of watching movies in theaters according to Barbie. They hope That Kind of Love will inspire audiences to revisit cinemas while “falling in love in the process.”
“Watching movies in theaters used to be a wonderful experience. We want to encourage people to enjoy local films in theaters again. Iba naman kasi talaga ang experience sa sinehan, and the movie will help them fall in love and perhaps rekindle the romance in their life,” she said.
In speaking of romance, David and Barbie were put on the spot during the press conference due to persistent questions linking them romantically. Though not romantically involved off-screen, David attributes their success as a love team to their professionalism.
“Acting with Barbie is effortless because she’s such a talented actress. It feels like we’re truly in love when we act together,” David shared.
Barbie also discussed the pressure of maintaining their love team’s success. “Our pairing was unexpected, so we work hard to sustain it and hope our friendship endures even if we don’t work together in the future,” she said. “Being under the same management helps us stay guided and strong as a team.”
The director praised BarDa’s suitability for their roles.
“From the very start, we envisioned them for these characters, believing in their partnership and success as a love team,” she said.
In the movie, Barbie portrays Milagros Maharlika, a renowned dating coach and certified psychologist. David plays Adam De Dios, the CEO of a prestigious shipping company. Their story unfolds amid the hustle of corporate life and the complexities of the heart.
That Kind of Love, produced by Pocket Media Productions Inc., Pocket Media Films, and Happy Infinite Productions Inc., and distributed by Regal Entertainment Inc., will be released nationwide on July 10.
The film also features Al Tantay, Arlene Muhlach, Jef Gaitan, Divine Aucina, Ivan Carapiet, and Kaila Estrada.