Filipino romcom movie addicts are in a frenzy with so much anticipation for the film premiere of “Exes Baggage” which is set to happen on September 26. The movie is directed by Dan Villegas, produced by Black Sheep and stars real-life exes Angelica Panganiban and Carlo Aquino. The film reunites the couple in the film that is already a box office hit.
The on-screen couple famously known as #CarGel via social media has been causing such a buzz and people cannot seem to get enough of them. But, what is it about “Exes Baggage” that has smitten Pinoy fans? Here are five reasons we think this is happening.
5 Reasons Why Exes Baggage is a Must-See
1. Exes Baggage touches the sentimental side of the Filipino as hopeless romantics. “Reunited and it feels so good…?” (Does it really?) The song leaves anyone who knows what a break up feels like relate so easily. Without a doubt, Pinoys know so much about letting go and this is that exact same sentiment that “Exes Baggage” is riding on. So, expect to get a lot of the romantic hugot lines we all love that brings a whole new level to kilig.
As the film gets into breakups and its what-if realities, it is no wonder why “Exes Baggage” has tickled a lot of people’s fancies and tugged on massive heartstrings. Carlo Aquino explained this well as he talks about his relationship with Angelica saying, “Filipinos are hopeless romantics. For them, our reconciliation is the fulfillment of a fairy tale, an ultimate dream coming true.”
2. Anyone can easily relate to the film’s nostalgic plot and character profiles. The story is about two people, Pia and Nix, who have just gotten their hearts broken in their own personal lives. So when they meet, they instantly connect, which then turns into a relationship. Angelica says that they wanted to show the things that cause breakups which start from small misunderstandings and then get blown out of proportion just because they never got settled.
In an interview with The Inquirer Angelica talks about her character, Pia – a young woman who Angelica describes as “a rebel.” Angelica goes on saying that Pia is similar to her in a way that “she fights for what she believes in.” Carlo, on the other hand, plays Nix. He, too, says that he shares similarities with Nix as a music lover and how he cherishes his “alone time.” At certain times, he becomes self-conscious and tends to over-analyze. These traits may perhaps be considered common human tendencies.
3. Dan Villegas is an award-winning director of rom-com films. Everyone loves a good break-up movie and no one does films like these like Director Dan Villegas. His certified box office films “English Only Please,” “Walang Forever,” “The Breakup Playlist,” and “How to Be Yours” pretty much shows just how good he is in what he does. These films have practically been part of the Pinoy’s love vocab. Villegas has won the Best Director award at the 2014 Metro Manila Film Festival. He is also a cinematographer.
4. The fans have been smitten by the Car-Gel Effect. In an interview with Cosmopolitan PH, Angelica says, “Ang gusto lang talaga nila, magkabalikan kami (ni Carlo).” (What they really want is for us to get back together.) The fans just have so much “feels” when it comes to Angelica and Carlo bringing about the Car-Gel Effect. Everything they post in their social media accounts is widely commented on, shared and liked. Some of their posts get about 4,000 to 5,000 comments, Angelica said.
It is known for a fact that these two are real-life exes. They were in a relationship for six years and broke up in 2006 but they both remained good friends even after that. Now in their 30’s, they have admitted that they are not “together.” Even if this is so, Angelica expresses, “Ang advice ko lang talaga, maghanap sila ng Carlo Aquino ng buhay nila. Kasi hindi naman talaga siya (Carlo) tumigil hangga’t hindi niya nakita na kaya ko na’ng maging kaibigan siya ulit. Kasi ‘di ba, naging kayo eh. Hindi nyo puwedeng itapon iyon.”
5. The teaser and trailer say so much making you want to watch it over and over. Since the teaser came out in August, it had one million views in a matter of 24 hours. It is in this one-minute clip where we encounter Pia and Nex for the first time. The chemistry between Angelica and Carlo is one that is unparalleled. Plus, the teaser features the song, “Maybe the Night,” by of one of today’s breakout artists, Ben & Ben.
The movie is produced by Black Sheep of ABS-CBN films.