EXCLUSIVE: Paul Soriano on his first romantic drama: ‘I’m a little nervous’

Rhea Manila Santos

<img src='' alt='050617-PaulSoriano_PUSH.jpg' width='400' height='290' align='left' border='0'>All set to start filming his newest movie project this month, director Paul Soriano admitted he is excited to work on his first romantic drama film which will star Jericho Rosales, Erich Gonzales, and Jasmine Curtis where they will be shooting in Siargao for the next three weeks. “Hopefully through the film people will appreciate and see the island of Siargao and of course the story that we’re going to tell. I’m hoping I can do this, that I can pull this off. I’m a little nervous actually. But you know I’m excited to work with a great cast. Jericho, Erich, and Jasmine have been very collaborative,” he shared during the Samsung QLED TV presscon held last May 5 in Makati city. Known for directing movies like Thelma, Kid Kulafu, and Dukot, direk Paul said shooting a love story will be a new challenge for him. “It’s about coming home. It’s about going back to what you really love the most, what really makes you happy. We want to explore that. It’s going to be my first time to direct a coming-of-age love story drama. I’ve always been kind of directing biopics or true-to-life events so this is my first time to kind of pe into a love story drama and I’m extremely happy to be shooting it in Siargao with Jericho, Erich, and Jasmine. I think we’re going to have a lot of fun this next month,” he admitted.During the Samsung QLED TV presscon, the talented director also shared what inspired him to write a movie close to his heart. “Well I do own a resort in Siargao so the island is very close to my heart also. Actually last Holy Week I brought Toni and Sevi to Siargao. We spent about a week there and they both fell in love with the island. Siargao is an island you fall in love with easily. We’re going to have a lot of motorcycles, surf, sand, beaches, great locations. The locals of Siargao have been very supportive,” he explained.Casting the three main leads was also an easy process for direk Paul. “Every time I pe into a film project we always focus on story first. I think Jericho was our top choice. And I appreciate Jericho’s enthusiasm and how collaborative he is with me even in the writing process up to the production. He’s also very passionate about surfing, about motorcycles, about island life. It’s my first time to work with Erich and she’s bringing a nice, youthful, and positive attitude to the film and I’m excited to work with her. I worked with Jasmine in Transit but I was a producer so it’s my first time to direct her. She just brings it and she’s always ready and I’m also very thankful that Jasmine accepted the project,” he added.Siargao the movie has no definite playdate yet but direk Paul hopes that when it does come out, people will also appreciate the advocacy in the movie. “We’re going to make sure also to create an awareness. Working together with the local government is to make sure there’s responsible development, responsible tourism, and proper waste management. Of course it’s a story first but there’s an advocacy. They’re working together with the local government of Siargao who are supporting proper development and waste management. So the film is going to showcase that but more importantly it’s a coming-of-age story and it’s a love story,” he said.

Casting the three main leads was also an easy process for direk Paul. “Every time I pe into a film project we always focus on story first. I think Jericho was our top choice. And I appreciate Jericho’s enthusiasm and how collaborative he is with me even in the writing process up to the production. He’s also very passionate about surfing, about motorcycles, about island life. It’s my first time to work with Erich and she’s bringing a nice, youthful, and positive attitude to the film and I’m excited to work with her. I worked with Jasmine in Transit but I was a producer so it’s my first time to direct her. She just brings it and she’s always ready and I’m also very thankful that Jasmine accepted the project,” he added.Siargao the movie has no definite playdate yet but direk Paul hopes that when it does come out, people will also appreciate the advocacy in the movie. “We’re going to make sure also to create an awareness. Working together with the local government is to make sure there’s responsible development, responsible tourism, and proper waste management. Of course it’s a story first but there’s an advocacy. They’re working together with the local government of Siargao who are supporting proper development and waste management. So the film is going to showcase that but more importantly it’s a coming-of-age story and it’s a love story,” he said.

<img src='' alt='050617-PaulSoriano_PUSH.jpg' width='400' height='290' align='left' border='0'>All set to start filming his newest movie project this month, director Paul Soriano admitted he is excited to work on his first romantic drama film which will star Jericho Rosales, Erich Gonzales, and Jasmine Curtis where they will be shooting in Siargao for the next three weeks. “Hopefully through the film people will appreciate and see the island of Siargao and of course the story that we’re going to tell. I’m hoping I can do this, that I can pull this off. I’m a little nervous actually. But you know I’m excited to work with a great cast. Jericho, Erich, and Jasmine have been very collaborative,” he shared during the Samsung QLED TV presscon held last May 5 in Makati city. Known for directing movies like Thelma, Kid Kulafu, and Dukot, direk Paul said shooting a love story will be a new challenge for him. “It’s about coming home. It’s about going back to what you really love the most, what really makes you happy. We want to explore that. It’s going to be my first time to direct a coming-of-age love story drama. I’ve always been kind of directing biopics or true-to-life events so this is my first time to kind of pe into a love story drama and I’m extremely happy to be shooting it in Siargao with Jericho, Erich, and Jasmine. I think we’re going to have a lot of fun this next month,” he admitted.During the Samsung QLED TV presscon, the talented director also shared what inspired him to write a movie close to his heart. “Well I do own a resort in Siargao so the island is very close to my heart also. Actually last Holy Week I brought Toni and Sevi to Siargao. We spent about a week there and they both fell in love with the island. Siargao is an island you fall in love with easily. We’re going to have a lot of motorcycles, surf, sand, beaches, great locations. The locals of Siargao have been very supportive,” he explained.

Paul Soriano is excited to be directing Erich Gonzales for the first time.

EXCLUSIVE: Paul Soriano on his first romantic drama: ‘I’m a little nervous’ | PUSH.COM.PH