Photo from Star Cinema's Facebook page. 

MANILA — For ABS-CBN and GMA, a sequel to the 2019 blockbuster film "Hello, Love, Goodbye" is a good way to kick-start their collaboration on films.

In a press conference on Sunday, Atty. Annette Gozon-Valdes, Senior Vice President for Programming, Talent Management, Worldwide, and Support of GMA Network, recalled how she always teased ABS-CBN Corp. CEO Carlo Katigbak to do a "Hello, Love, Goodbye" sequel.

"Sa umpisa pa lang, niloloko ko na si Carlo (Katigbak). Sabi ko: 'Tara mag-sequel na tayo ng 'Hello, Love, Goodbye.'' Palagi ko siyang niloloko everytime may meeting kami, 'yan 'yung niloloko, akala ko biro lang," she said.

When Katigbak recently pitched to do the sequel, Gozon-Valdes realized how it was the right timing to start the two networks' film venture. 

"Tapos bigla na lang a month ago, a few weeks ago, biglang sabi niya, 'Tara, gawin na natin 'yung sequel.' Sabi ko, 'Totoo ba 'to.' I'm actually very happy na wala pa tayong ginagawa na joint venture movie because I think this is the best movie that we can begin with," Gozon-Valdes said. 

"I'm grateful to Star Cinema and ABS-CBN, and of course to Direk Cathy (Garcia-Sampana), Kathryn (Bernardo), and Alden (Richards), thank you so much for the opportunity that you gave GMA Pictures and we're looking forward to more collaborations to come," she added. 

ABS-CBN Films head Kriz Gazmen thanked the ABS-CBN executives for their trust and vowed to elevate the story of Joy and Ethan.

"'Hello, Love, Goodbye' is a very special movie for us in Star Cinema. It made us believe in the impossible, with its unprecedented box-office success. But more than the monetary gains, it was a testament to our commitment to tell the stories of Filipinos over the world, their sacrifices, their dreams, their love for their families, and also for themselves," Gazmen said.

"Doing a sequel is no easy feat. 'Hello, Love, Goodbye touched so many hearts and we knew that to continue the story of Ethan and Joy, we would need to elevate our game," he added.

"I know how enormous the pressure is for 'Hello, Love, Again,' but I have no doubt that the film is in good hands. With the team as excellent and as passionate as these people on stage right now and with unwavering support of our bosses Sir Mark (Lopez), Sir Carlo (Katigbak), Tita Cory (Vidanes), I know that nothing is impossible."

Gazmen hopes that "Hello, Love, Again" would open more doors to craft new stories with GMA Pictures in the future. 

"I hope that when the movie comes out in November, the same hearts who were touched by 'HLG', would go to the cinemas and would also touch new hearts of (people), not only here in the Philippine but in the whole world," Gazmen said.

"I would also like to take this time to thank GMA Pictures for joining us in this new journey. Actually, Annette Gozon-Valdes and I have been talking about collaborating for more than two years now and finally timing is everything talaga. So this is it, Annette," he added. 

"I know that this is only the beginning of a beautiful and fruitful partnership and together. I'm claiming it, Annette, we're going to do and we're going to make history again." 

"Hello, Love, Again" is scheduled to hit cinemas on November 13, 2024. 

"Hello, Love, Goodbye" was the highest-grossing Philippine film of all time until January 2024, when it was surpassed by "Rewind."

READ: Marian-Dingdong movie 'Rewind' is now the highest grossing Filipino film of all time