Heaven Peralejo still finds it surreal to be paired with Alden Richards in Out of Order, now streaming on Netflix.
“I didn’t expect that I would land the role,” she said. “I even asked them if they were sure about choosing me. They said yes, and Alden told me he believed I could give justice to the character. He also promised to take good care of me, and he did.”
In the film, Heaven plays a public prosecutor who becomes Alden’s love interest. To prepare, she immersed herself in the world of law. “I did my research,” she shared. “A friend of mine is taking up Law, and he would bring me along to observe cases. That helped a lot in understanding my character.”
Alden not only stars in the film but also directs it. Heaven admitted that this setup came with both perks and challenges.
“As our director, he already knows the shots and what kind of acting is required,” she said. “That makes things easier on set. But the downside is he barely gets to rest. There were moments I felt bad for him. Sometimes I’d just let him rest instead of chatting.”
True to his reputation, Heaven described Alden as “very caring.”
“He really is! He keeps his promise, he’s thoughtful with everyone. He even sends me fruits. He’s a spoiler,” she added, laughing.
As a director, she said Alden pays attention to detail. “He’s clear about what he wants from his actors. I appreciate that because you don’t have to guess what’s expected of you. He’s also respectful, he listens to suggestions and considers them if they fit the scene. Collaboration matters to him.”
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Meanwhile, Carla Abellana gave a composed reaction to news about her former husband, Tom Rodriguez, who recently welcomed a baby with his non-showbiz partner.
“Good for him!” she said. “A baby is a blessing. You should embrace it. It’s not something shocking. All I can say is congratulations!”
Asked if she’s open to being friends with Tom again, Carla was candid. “Honestly, no, not friends,” she replied. “But I know it’s inevitable that we’ll cross paths since we’re in the same industry. If we bump into each other at an event, it’s fine with me. But as friends? Not at the moment.”
Would she consider working with him again? Carla didn’t hesitate: “I guess I’ll say no to that. It’s not happening soon. If I had the choice, I’d refuse.”
