AFTER working in the series, “Linlang” and first teaming up in the remake of “What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim?,” the partnership of Paulo Avelino and Kim Chiu proves they got strong box office traction with the success of the first big screen team up.

Star Cinema’s “My Love Will Make You Disappear” successfully opened on Wednesday, March 26 and it registered an impressive P12 million gross as it was shown in over 380 cinemas nationwide.

The ticket sales logged the highest opening day gross of any local films, so far, this year. There were 22 block screenings recorded in the first day of the film just in Metro Manila.

“Damang-dama namin ang Kim-Pau-wer na love and support on opening day,” said a Star Cinema post on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday.

Kim and Paulo even went on a theater tour on the first day of “My Love Will Make You Disappear.”

On its second day, Thursday, the film directed by Chad Vidanes, opened in other countries like Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Australia, New Zealand and United Arab Emirates (UAE) and other venues in the Middle East.

The directorial debut of direk Chad was likewise well-received abroad, where the film will be screened on the third day in North America (including US and Canada), Guam, Saipan, Macau, Cambodia and Hong Kong.

“My Love Will You Disappear” will likewise open in cinemas in Europe – United Kingdom, Ireland, Malta, Finland, France, Italy and Austria.

The public will see if “My Love Will You Disappear” will be in the Top 10 list like the Kathryn Bernardo and Alden Richards (Kath-Den) starrer, “Hello, Love Again.”

The Kim-Pau film, however, failed to surpass the opening day gross of the Josh-Lia starrer, “Un/Happy for You,” megged by Petersen Vargas and was shown in the ghost month in August last year.

The reunion film of Josh-Lia registered P20.5 million gross on its opening day on August 14, 2024 when it was shown in 200 theaters.

By the second day, the theaters increased to 250 and the earnings of the film went as high as P40 million.

On the third day, which was a weekend, the gross ballooned to P65 million and the theaters increased to 300.

Meanwhile, “My Love Will You Disappear” marks Kim-Pau’s much-awaited big screen debut. The story is about a woman, named Sari, who apparently loses every man she loves.

She subsequently meets the heartbroken Jolo, a struggling and troubled landlord. Hearing about Sari’s curse, Jolo sees it as an opportunity to escape from his painful past.

They cross paths and strive to save a community from displacement, but in the process, they genuinely fall for each other.

Scared of her curse, Sari attempts to push Jolo away, yet the latter persists even if their fate remains uncertain.

Much talked about in the film were the kissing scenes of Kim-Pau. Although most were really romantic, Paulo insisted they merely followed what their director told them to execute.

Also in the cast of the romantic-comedy are Melai Cantiveros, Wilma Doesnt, Lovely Abella, Benj Manalo, Nico Antonio, Migs Almendras, Martin Escudero, Karina Bautista, Jeremiah Lisbo, Atasha Franco, Kelsey Lasam and Lucas Andallo.

Special participation were delivered by Rufa Mae Quinto, Bernard Palanca, Jennica Garcia, Fyang Smith and JM Ibarra.

February 12 was the original playdate of “My Love Will Make You Disappear.” However, to avoid the clash against “Captain America: Brave New World” and “Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy,” the slot was given to “Ex Ex Lovers,” the screen reunion of the Mar-Jo (Marvin Agustin and Jolina Magdangal) loveteam in time for Valentine’s day.

Early this March, Kim and Paulo graced the Manila International Film Festival (MIFF) in Los Angeles and they answered questions about their first big screen team-up.

ABS-CBN executives who were present in the premiere early this week of “My Love Will You Disappear” were the first to extend their congratulations to Kim and Paulo, as the screen loveteam embraced tightly while the credits rolled.

Kapamilya executives came in full force apparently in support of the Kim-Pau love team – chairman Mark Lopez, chief executive officer (CEO) Carlo Katigbak, chief operating officer (COO) for broadcast Cory Vidanes, head of TV production Lauren Dyogi and head of ABS-CBN Films Kriz Gazmen.

Apart from director Chad Vidanes, the stellar creative team of “My Love Will Make You Disappear” is composed of scriptwriters Isabelle Policarpio and Patrick Valencia, who penned the screenplay from the story of Prime Cruz.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Leah C. Salterio