Philippine romance returns to Taiwan for Valentine's Day

Taipei, Jan. 31 (CNA) Philippine box office record-breaking romantic drama "Hello, Love, Goodbye" is heading back to Taiwan on Valentine's Day as the first Filipino film ever to be screened at VieShow Cinemas, one of the largest movie outlets in Taiwan, according to a statement released by Filipino media and entertainment group ABS-CBN Friday.

The film, which is billed as the highest-grossing Filipino film of all time after making 880.6 million Philippine pesos (US$17.27 million) at the box office in the Philippines, will be subtitled in Chinese for local viewers during special screenings at selected VieShow Cinemas across Taiwan starting Feb. 14, the statement said.

The screenings will take place at VieShow Cinemas Kaoshiung FE21, VieShow Cinemas Tainan FE21, VieShow Cinemas Taichung Top City, VieShow Cinemas Hsinchu FE21, VieShow Cinemas Taoyuan Tonlin, VieShow Cinemas Linkou Mitsui Outlet Park, VieShow Cinemas Banciao Mega City, and VieShow Cinemas Taipei Qsquare.

Ross Lee (李光爵), a senior public relations manager at VieShow Cinemas, told CNA that the screenings are expected to last at least one week.

The movie introduces Taiwanese audiences to two of the Philippines' biggest names in television and film -- Kathryn Bernardo as Joy and Alden Richards as Ethan, the ABS-CBN statement said.

"Hello, Love, Goodbye" tells the story of Joy, a young migrant worker who decides to work in Hong Kong to support her family and then meets Ethan, a bartender who wants to live permanently in Hong Kong but has always been afraid of commitment, the ABS-CBN statement said.

The plot tackles the universal dilemma of young adults who begin to face responsibilities in life, while still hoping to pursue what their heart truly desires, the ABS-CBN statement said.

Reviews praised the undeniable chemistry between the two lead actors and the way the film reflects the everyday lives of migrant workers.

"Not just another OFW (overseas Filipino worker) movie," said Monet Lu of Asian Journal. "It had more depth than I gave it credit for. The movie offers a compelling, detailed, compassionate look at the little-known lives, and hopes, of domestic workers."

The film, directed by Filipino Cathy Garcia-Molina, was previously shown in Taiwan at a special screening at Dynasty Theater in Taipei in August last year.

Apple Gordula, a 30-year-old caregiver from Taichung who traveled to Taipei to watch the movie, said: "I think it is a beautiful love story that many OFWs can relate to."

"It portrays the work OFWs are involved in and also the communication they need to have with their families," she said.