Lovi Poe’s been in the industry for 15 years and in that span she’s carved a multi-faceted career as a primetime leading lady, an indie sweetheart, a recording artist, and an executive producer. Starring alongside Carlo Aquino in “Seasons,” Poe shows us she’s not afraid to pursue her own stories and to follow her heart at this point.
In an interview with the Lifestyle Inquirer’s August cover girl, we were able to talk about her previous roles, the girl best friend trope, red flags, and what scene had her crying non-stop in “Seasons.”
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“Seasons” is your indie comeback following the sapphic love story “Sleep With Me.” Their releases sort of bookend the premieres of your primetime teleseryes “Flower of Evil” and “Ang Probinsyano.” Do you consciously try to balance out your filmography when you choose your projects?
I just want to be able to explore more different characters. I think, right now, I’ve become a bit more picky of what’s really worth my energy.
And so I’ve been truly blessed to be able to work on something like “Sleep With Me” because it’s something that’s very different. I’m just happy to be part of something like that. “Flower of Evil” is another one that’s really something that I was excited about because it’s a Korean drama remake. I’ve never done a remake.
I’ve done a lot of different characters in the past that I’m very proud of. But then, I’ve done a lot of love affair movies. Every time I get offered another one, I’m just like, “I can’t do this.”
[In] Filipino dramas it’s always loud, strong, nagsasabunutan, [and] we’re slapping each other. Of course it does happen, getting physical. But it’s nice to do roles wherein we show inner strength because I feel like most people have that in real life.
“Seasons” was your brainchild. What inspired it?
I do believe that people that come into our lives and some people are there for only seasons. Some people are there to teach you and give you reasons that make you learn. And then eventually, if you get lucky, then you get to meet someone that could be your lifetime partner.
That’s why I came up with a story. And I also wanted a story that would remind us that we have to be careful who we take for granted. The person that you’ve been searching for may have been there already this whole time and you’re just not looking.
I’m not saying I’m Charlie but I’m sure people try to categorize all their relationships. I wonder who would fall under seasons, who would fall under reasons, and eventually, you would know who would fall under lifetime.
Your “Seasons” character Charlie follows in the footsteps of so many fictional Pinoy girl best friends like Carson of “I’m Drunk, I Love You” or Bujoy of “Labs Kita… Okey Ka Lang?” When is it okay to pine for your best friend and when is it time to snap out of it?
I haven’t seen these movies. I feel so bad. But I feel like it would be best to snap out of it if it’s not reciprocated.
I have two friends who have made it, you know. They’re best friends and they’re together. And that’s like the best thing. They always say that you should marry your best friend. If life was that simple then why not, right? But there’s so many factors that you have to consider.
You sang two tracks in the film’s soundtrack. Can you tell us about them and what it was like recording them and performing in the film?
I enjoyed singing “Panaginip” because I wanted to sing it with a smile on my face as if it wasn’t about to happen. The ending wasn’t going to be that way so that for me was fun. And “Lifetime” for me is a wedding song. But it’s not my wedding song. I felt really sad because I was singing it for my best friend Kurt. I remember shooting that scene and my director specifically told me, “Don’t cry in this scene, okay?” I was like, “Okay, I’ll try.” But when they started playing the song, I just couldn’t stop crying.
I could see Carlo [Aquino] walking down the aisle and I was just, like, “Oh, no.” My tears started falling and I couldn’t stop myself. When he looked at me and said, “I love you and thank you,” I swear to god I responded to that. They had to probably cut it out because it wasn’t [in the movie.]
Then my director, when it was my own shot, started feeding me stories about Charlie and Kurt out loud. I started crying even more and I was like, “Akala ko ba ayaw mo ‘kong paiyakin? Why are you saying these things?” I couldn’t get through the scene without crying.
[Asia’s Got Talent alum] Gwyneth Dorado wrote the song. She read the script and wrote the song. If you listen to the lyrics, there’s a part that’s like, “We don’t have to rush, dear, because we have a lifetime.” Then all of a sudden towards the end, [it’s] “We don’t have to rush, dear, because you have a lifetime.” Suddenly you’re talking about him with someone else. It was very sad for me.
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Here are some quick-fire questions. Best thing about Harry from “Sleep With Me”? And Kurt?
Oh my god. Harry has the most positive outlook sa life. She did not dwell on her condition. She remained positive and she just kept going. I think that’s the most endearing characteristic of Harry.
And Kurt is always there. Even if he left [Charlie] for like, a few years, I know that he was. And he never took advantage of Charlie. He was also very supportive even if Charlie was a bit, you know, crazy sometimes.
How about Tanggol from “Batang Quiapo”?
He defends the people that he loves. He’s always there for them. As in, like, kamatayan na—as long as you don’t hurt my family, my girl, everyone that he loves. Talagang he’s gonna fight for them.
What’s Charlie’s red flag?
She’s very impulsive. She does not think before she does anything. Trust me, I know, because there are some scenes that aren’t [in the movie].
What’s Kurt’s red flag?
Can I just share? We had this discussion, Carlo and I. He was saying that after we filmed, he wasn’t in love with Charlie. But when we first finished filming, he suddenly realized that he was in love with Charlie but the moments passed. These two people fell in love with each other. But it was [at] a different time. If that’s the case, his red flag is he didn’t say what he wanted to say.
If that’s the case, then maybe Charlie—wow, nag-defend kasi ako si Charlie?!—Then Charlie would have realized sooner that maybe it is Kurt this whole time, to save them from all the stress as in-denial characters.
The fact that he was probably also so inconsiderate about Charlie’s feelings. How dare you ask her to sing at your wedding? Dude, I mean, come on.
Photo by JT Fernandez, assisted by Anton Sarte
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