Julia Montes and Alden Richards are paired up for the first time in the upcoming movie Five Break-ups and a Romance.

Alden was all praises for Julia, saying he was instantly elated when he learned he would be working with the with the actress.

"It’s been a while since my last film in 2019. Noong nilatag pa lang sa akin 'to, na-excite ako sa idea of being paired with Julia [Montes] because I know how brilliant of an actress she is," Alden remarked at the media conference of the movie.

The actor commended how authentic and genuineJulia is, saying, "Si [Julia Montes] ang isa sa mga naka-partner ko na walang pretensions, nararamdaman ko ang sincerity. Kaya hindi rin ako natakot to give my all in this film kasi importanteng ipakita 'yung individuality niya."

Julia was equally excited to work with Alden. "Noong nalaman ko po siyempre, nagulat talaga ako. I’m honored and happy to work with him. Kahit hindi pa kami masyadong matagal nagsho-shoot, na-realize kung bakit Alden Richards is Alden Richards," she stated.

The actress remarked that she considers Five Break-ups and a Romance as her dream project.

"Ito matatawag ko talagang dream project. Hindi ko inexpect na sa akin ipagkakatiwala yung role. To be with Alden also with direk Irene (Villamor) na hindi ko in-expect na makaka-work kasi I'm a hopeless romantic kind of girl so pag nanonood ako ng film, what if kaya pine-play ko 'yung ganyang role?" she said.

"Laging ganun lang 'yung mindset ko. Hindi ko ini-expect na eventually time will come ito pala 'yung year na 'yun na gagawa ako ng ganung film," the actress added.

When asked how does it feel that networks are now more open to collaborating with each other, Julia replied, "Siguro ang sarap sa pakiramdam, sana ganun tayo in life, hindi lang sa network, 'yung lahat tayo open, walang wall, walang restriction kasi hindi mo masasabi ang buhay eh."

She continued: "Kapag tulungan, ang dami mong maa-achieve. With teamwork ang dami mong maa-achieve. Ito 'yung perfect example, lalo na sa project na 'to two big companies nagtulungan and another big company nagsama-sama, alam mo 'yun, 'yung talaga teamwork."

Alden added that with the networks now teaming up more in producing projects, it widens the opportunities for artists. 

READ: Julia Montes on returning to acting in 2023: 'Na-inspire ako to work ulit'

"Maganda na rin po 'yung nangyayari ngayon na ABS-CBN and GMA have been very vocal with the partnerships that they are going into, parang mas lumawak 'yung opportunities especially for us actors," he said.

"Ngayon kasi ang common goal na is to give world class entertainment at mapakita natin na Filipino talent has what it takes to compete with international outfits as well," he continued.

Five Break-ups and a Romance is written and directed by Irene Villamor. The director expressed her excitement working with the two stars.

"First reading pa lang namin, ang saya ko na. First reading pa lang may input na agad sila. Nagre-revise na ako so parang based on how they read it so napaganda 'yung materyal," the director said.

She added: "We have done just one reading pa lang at sobrang dami na namin na discuss about the concept so nakaka-excite makita paano nila bubuhayin yung mga characters sa script."

Cornerstone Studios, GMA Pictures, and Alden's company Myriad Corporation have teamed up to produce the movie.