Director Boboy Yonzon doesn’t just craft a love story for his debut feature—he brings to life a community often overlooked. “This is actually based on what happened in Boracay right after the pandemic. A microfinance company was lending to small entrepreneurs who suddenly couldn’t pay back loans because there were no tourists, no income. A new bank manager came in to save the situation—and from there, we found our inspiration,” Yonzon shares with ZEEN. But he knew the story needed emotional layers beyond economics. “To make sure it didn’t feel like an institutional plug, I built a story of romance around it. And with romance comes pain and conflict, which helped shape the heart of the film.” That’s where characters like Gani and Debbie emerge—two people shaped by love, loss, and the realities of rebuilding.

When ZEEN sits down with JC Santos and Valeen Montenegro, they talk about stepping into a story rooted in real experiences, the emotional weight of starting over, and portraying a love that doesn’t follow a perfect timeline. I Remember You reminds us that second chances can come when—and with whom—you least expect them.

Both actors were immediately drawn to the story’s grounded take on romance and resilience. For JC Santos, it’s the kind of film that hits a deeper nerve. “I always enjoy inspirational stories, stories like Forrest Gump. You know they have a hidden gift, and at the same time, they have their own struggles. They’re dedicated and passionate to their work, but there’s drama in between,” he tells ZEEN. “This is the perfect story for that kind of inspirational movie because it tackles second chances. This is the story of unsung heroes, of CARD Bank employees who are so hardworking in helping people who are struggling.” His character, Gani, is a man caught between duty and desire, healing and heartbreak—and the script gives him room to explore all of it.

Yonzon affirms this casting choice with clear intention. “JC has this melancholia in his eyes—even when he smiles, there’s something deeper there. It was the perfect fit for the character,” he says.

Valeen Montenegro is equally captivated, especially by the way the film treats love as something lived, not fantasized. “It’s about how you want to prove yourself, how you want to start over, not just in relationships but financially and emotionally, too,” she says. 

“The movie is about second chances. It’s not just second chances in love, but also in life.”

Valeen Montenegro on I Remember You

“I love how Debbie is so vulnerable, and she’s not afraid to show it,” she adds. “And don’t mistake that for weakness, because that’s her greatest strength. She’s done asking, ‘What if?’ She just wants the truth, and she’s ready to face it, even when it hurts.” There’s a quiet wisdom to Debbie that Montenegro fully leans into, giving depth to a character who could have easily been reduced to a trope.

Playing Gani required Santos to tap into emotions that feel real—and sometimes, a little too close to home. “I can totally relate to the character in terms of the dedication and the passion for his work. I enjoy characters who serve other people, who are really good at their jobs. So knowing this is based on a true story makes it all the more inspiring,” he says. He adds that beyond the professional side, Gani’s emotional weight also resonates with him on a human level.

“Sometimes it’s grief, sometimes it’s abandonment or betrayal, and I like to showcase those emotions—parts that are very human.”

JC Santos on portraying Gani

Montenegro, meanwhile, shares that her process also involves grounding her performance in something honest. “Vulnerability isn’t something to be ashamed of. You don’t have to be hardened just because life is hard. You can stay soft,” she asserts. “You don’t need to fight or be confrontational. Just be who you are. And if you’re with the right person, they’ll get it. They’ll see that you’re not trying to fight them—you’re just trying to be understood.”

Because the film is based on true events, the cast feels a responsibility to stay emotionally authentic. But they don’t overthink it. “We don’t [try to balance it],” Santos shrugs. “We just dive.” Montenegro laughs and adds, “I treat it as therapy. You don’t always get to live those moments in real life, but in film, you get to try. You dive into someone else’s world, and that’s powerful.”

Their chemistry on set is just as easy. Santos praises Montenegro’s humor and timing: “She’s super quick-witted, she’s always fun, she always has punchlines for everything.” Montenegro admits she was initially nervous about the material feeling too melodramatic, but her co-star’s sincerity melted her doubts. “I thought, ‘Oh my gosh, this is so cheesy.’ But then JC gave me back exactly what I needed. Suddenly, it wasn’t cheesy anymore—it felt real.”

What proved most challenging isn’t acting together, but working with real-life bank employees who play supporting roles in the film. “They know the story because they’ve lived it,” the actor tells ZEEN. “But they’ve never acted before. So it becomes this collaborative thing—we guide them through the camera work, and they guide us through the emotion behind it.” 

It’s an exchange of empathy that adds an unfiltered layer to the film. Even the setting plays a dual role; Yonzon points out that the island holds more than what tourists usually see. “You go there for fun and frolic, but there’s another side—people struggling behind the scenes to give you those good memories. This film shows that other side.”

This project also marks a shift for the stars of the film. For Montenegro, known for her comedy work, I Remember You allows her to stretch into something more grounded. “This is based on real-life stories; I didn’t even know about CARD Bank before this. I learned how much they helped Filipinos, especially during and after the pandemic. So it’s kind of educational too. It’s more serious than what I usually do—but it’s worth it.” Santos echoes the sentiment. “This is the first time I was genuinely inspired by the organization I was portraying. Their dedication moved me. It made me want to volunteer, to help. Especially now, we really need to push financial literacy. Because us Filipinos deserve it.”

For Director Boboy Yonzon, the film is just as much about perspective as it is about plot. Behind the beachscapes and love story lies a deeper reminder: that the places we escape to are often built by people we don’t see.

“There are stories behind every beautiful place—and behind every second chance. It’s time we looked closer.”
Director Boboy Yonzon

And at its heart, I Remember You leaves us with one final truth: that healing rarely looks the way we expect, but it’s always worth showing up for. When asked what the journey of Gani and Debbie ultimately says about love and moving forward, they answer without hesitation. “Trust the process,” Santos says. Montenegro smiles and adds, “If you have a second chance, grab it.”

I Remember You opens in cinemas nationwide this July 9. For anyone who’s still healing, still hoping, or still unsure whether to move on or go back—this one might hit home.