Alden Richards, Kathryn Bernardo say 'Hello, Love, Again' is about the sacrifices of OFWs

October 18 2024

By AARON BRENNT EUSEBIO

In the highly anticipated movie Hello, Love, Again, Alden Richards returns as Ethan, an OFW in Hong Kong who follows his love, Joy (Kathryn Bernardo), when she goes to Canada to fulfill her dream of becoming a nurse.

However, as far as the movie is concerned, Hello, Love Again is not about the love story of Ethan and Joy but the sacrifices of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).

"Kahit naman din during Hello, Love, Goodbye, actually mas more of 'yung struggles ni Joy 'yung nakita natin doon. But, I think at this point of the film, makikita rin natin 'yung hardships ni Ethan in terms of being away from the people that he loves," Alden said during the movie's press conference on October 17 at Dolphy Theatre.

"And I think 'yung mga qualities talaga ng mga kababayan nating nasa ibang bansa at nagtatrabaho is really the sacrifice and the hard work, and 'yung mga pinagdadaanan nila just to give their family a better life.

"May ganun talagang traits tayo as Filipinos, e, we always get out of our way and kalimutan muna kahit panandalian or pangmatagal 'yung sarili natin para sa ating mga mahal sa buhay.

"With this film, makikita nila 'yung on both characters between Ethan and Joy, 'yung mga bagay na kailangan nilang isakripisyo. Ang tanong ba doon is, 'Is it worth it? Is it worth the sacrifice?'

"It's really more about the lives of our international workers, the lives of the people who are working away from their families, every day. The things that they've experienced, the things that they've set aside to give their families a better life."

Meanwhile, Kathryn acknowledged the hardships of OFWs after shooting the movie in Canada for a month.

"Nakaka-amaze kung gaano katatag tayong mga Pilipino, especially 'yung mga nagta-try abroad. Iba, iba 'yung hirap doon, it's physically tiring, it's emotionally challenging," she expressed.

"Kami ngang isang buwan lang doon, medyo, 'Whoa, medyo mahirap 'to,' ano pa sila na ilang year nang nandoon? We have so much respect for them, and hopefully this movie will mirror their lives, and mabigyan 'yung respect na deserve nilang lahat."

Hello, Love, Again continues the story of Ethan and Joy as they reunite in Canada, five years after their separation in Hong Kong. When they met in Canada, it seemed that Joy had already assumed a new name to represent her new "version": Marie.

In the first movie Hello, Love, Goodbye, Ethan and Joy meet each other in Hong Kong as they are both struggling overseas Filipino workers who are trying to find their place and their purpose in the country.

While they truly love each other, their romance doesn't have a chance to blossom further as Joy choose to pursue her dreams in Canada as a nurse.

Directed by Cathy Garcia-Sampana, Hello, Love, Again will be the first film collaboration between Star Cinema and GMA Pictures.

HERE EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT HELLO, LOVE, AGAIN: