Alex Gonzaga defended by her ‘Single Bells’ director Fifth Solomon

After the MMFF entry ‘The Exorsis’ wherein she starred with her real-life sister Toni Gonzaga, actress-host-vlogger Alex Gonzaga returns to the Metro Manila Film Festival scene via the Summer MMFF entry ‘Single Bells’ wherein she top-bills along with singer-actress Angeline Quinto. The romantic comedy film also stars Aljur Abrenica and Victor Silayan.

During the advance screening of her film ‘Single Bells,’ her director Fifth Solomon took a stand on being a friend — and a sibling for that matter — against Alex’s bashers.

Fifth shared how he feels whenever he reads attacks on Alex.

“Ako, naiinis ako,” he said. “Kasi protective ako kay Alex. Kasi parang magkapatid na yung turingan namin. E pag family, very protective ako. So minsan, napapa-tweet, nagpaparinig din ako, kasi protective ako kay Alex. So, oo, naiinis ako pag sinasabihan siya ng masama.”

Alex Gonzaga as a friend

Their friendship has been tested through time since they got along well inside the Pinoy Big Brother house, but it only got stronger and tighter. Even so, there were still times that they had misunderstanding.

“Meron din kaming mga ano [mga tampuhan], ganun na mga eksena, pero parang magkapatid na kami ni Alex e! So parang automatic kami na magkakaayos agad… so minsan mapapagalitan ko siya sa shoot, pero alam niya na [iyon ay pagiging] professional lang.

“Si Alex, parang kapatid na talaga sa akin. Alam niya mga deepest problem ko. So natutulungan niya rin ako sa mga advice. Ma-advice siya na tao.”

Their film ‘Single Bells’ is about forever-single Rose Ann and boyfriend-hungry Rose Mae. The two strike up a friendship insomuch as they both take on a crazy journey of learning from each other about the true meaning of love.

About Single Bells

Here’s the official synopsis of ‘Single Bells’:

Rose Ann (Gonzaga) swore to forever be single after being left right before her wedding by the love of her life, Jeric. After that, she promised to never love again and to focus on taking care of her handicapped mother. After many years, destiny, however, puts her to the test when she crosses paths with Jeric again at the radio station she works at. Rose Ann is a rookie voice actor while Jeric is the director. The unlikely reunion urges Jeric to mend their relationship.

Rose Mae (Quinto) is the opposite — she’s desperate to be in a relationship and spends most of her time on dating apps and speed dating events. Seeing this, Rose Ann invites her to attend an event hosted by the Single Bells Organization, a group of people who promote self-love and are proud to be single. Here, Rose Mae meets fellow member and handsome businessman, Evan, who tastes her homemade milk tea. Evan sees a potential in this and offers to help her start her business.

Amidst all these, Rose Mae meets Dave, a match from a dating app, and they fall in love almost too fast. It was all rainbows and butterflies until it wasn’t. She eventually realizes that there is more happiness and fulfillment in flourishing her career rather than being in a relationship. Now, Rose Mae has to make a difficult choice.

For Rose Ann, it’s either to forgive or be stuck in the past; for Rose Mae, it’s either choosing herself or settling for whoever is there. Will they make the right choice and open a new chapter or stay on their course and forever be a single bell?

DIRECTOR’S PROFILE

Fifth Solomon is the director and writer of his films Nakalimutan Ko Nang Kalimutan Ka (2018), The ExorSIS (2020), and Sa Muli (2020). He has directed segments of Pinoy Big Brother in 2018-2019 and written and directed various commercials. His recent film is the Filipino adaptation of My Sassy Girl, which is currently in post-production, under TINCAN Films.

DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT

Why is being single a big deal for many people? Will we die earlier if we don’t have a boyfriend or girlfriend? Society has ingrained in our heads that if you’re single and alone, you are lonely, unattractive, and maybe even unworthy of love. The stereotyping had grown crazy but in all honesty, being single is okay. Single or in a relationship, you are enough.

This film will tackle conversations on relationships and the crazy world of the organization that champions being single through comedy and satire. It’s entertaining, but it’s also filled with the truth about society and, ultimately, ourselves.