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Metro Exclusive: love you so bad with Dustin Yu, Bianca de Vera, and Will Ashley

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It all started with a question living rent-free across everyone’s feeds: WillCa or DustBia?The love-triangle prologue between Will Ashley, Bianca de Vera, and Dustin Yu inside Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition snowballed into a fandom-fueled hype built on viral clip edits, shipping chaos, and opinions flying at full volume. Now, fate has flipped the script and is not a reality-show subplot anymore.Turning that real-life buzz into cinematic magic, the trio reunites on the silver screen as the lead stars of love you so bad, their first-ever Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) entry and biggest career milestone to date. Under the direction of acclaimed filmmaker Mae Cruz Alviar, the three walk into a heartfelt coming-of-age romantic drama that promises all the emotional highs of young love and all the aching uncertainty of finding one’s place in the world.Metro.Style sat down with the main cast fresh off completing the film to talk about this career-first moment, the whirlwind of emotions that came with leading an MMFF feature for the first time, and why love you so bad might just be the Christmas movie that speaks straight to the heart of a generation navigating love, one brave choice at a time.<div> </div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1765441027527embed_love you so bad x metro20251201_133125427.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Will Ashley, Bianca de Vera, and Dustin Yu | Photo taken at The Memory Machine Photobooth</div><div> </div><div>What the film is really all about</div>Puzzled in the crossroads of youth and adulthood, the story follows Savannah, a fiercely independent college senior played by Bianca. Confident, spirited, and unafraid to live life on her own terms, Savannah is in that crucial phase where the future feels both thrilling and terrifying. Let’s say, she knows what she wants, except when it comes to love.“Kapag mahal o gusto niya ‘yung isang bagay, talagang makikipag-patayan siya para dito and she’ll do everything in her power just to be able to obtain the kind of love that she wants or has,” illustrated Bianca, who noted her character as someone who’s unapologetic and passionate.As for the men who would turn her universe upside down, one is LA (portrayed by Dustin), the bad boy whose carefree energy and adrenaline-seeking nature awaken Savannah’s impulsive, adventurous side. He’s the type of reckless romance, the kind that sweeps you up in the moment and makes you forget where the ground is.“Si LA, sporty, intense sa love kasi nakita ko rin kung paano niya vina-value ‘yung ‘love’ niya. Hindi siya selfish na tao. Selfless siya,” described Dustin.Then there’s Vic, brought to life by Will, the man whose drive and values invite Savannah to grow beyond her comfort zone and confront her deeper ambitions. In three words: “smart, loyal, and loving”—sounds like the one who helps build the kind of future she dreams of, even when she’s afraid to admit it out loud.As past wounds surface and feelings deepen, Savannah finds herself forced to reckon with the emotional tug-of-war between desire and direction.<div> </div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1765441331207embed_love you so bad x metro20251201_133004299.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div><div> </div>Far from being a straightforward romance, love you so bad explores how love intertwines with identity, in the same way choosing someone can feel inseparable from choosing the kind of person you want to be.“Hindi lang [ito] kwento ng pagmamahal sa isang tao. Kwento rin ‘to ng isang tao na hinahanap ‘yung sarili kung saan mapupunta ang buhay niya. Kumbaga, s’yempre, dumadaan din tayo sa punto ng buhay natin where hinahanap talaga natin ‘yung purpose natin in life. So, I&#x27;m sure na maraming tao ang makaka-relate [rito] kasi, again, hindi lang siya love, hindi lang siya love sa ibang tao. Love rin siya sa sarili mo and kung ano ‘yung ginagawa mo,” Will pressed. Asked why it’s the perfect Christmas movie to watch, Bianca reflects that the story mirrors everyone’s lifelong pursuit of love and believes the film embodies everything Christmas represents. “S’yempre, bilang Christmas is all about love and finding happiness and finding joy, talagang we assure you that this movie will bring you all that. It will bring you so much kilig, lightness, happiness—lahat ng hinahanap niyo sa isang movie, it will definitely be there,” she said, further explaining that all of them poured their hearts into every scene, stripping themselves of pretenses to present a deeply honest portrayal of romance.Will agreed, pointing out that audiences will find a full spectrum of emotions within the film, with lessons that linger well past the end credits.<div> </div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1765441622750embed_love you so bad x metro20251201_133025374.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div><div> </div>Dustin added that what sets the movie apart is its “fresh concept,” and its portrait of youthful love in all its messy beauty, from fleeting feelings to extreme emotional attachments: “Lahat tayo nagmahal na, for sure, at some point. May intense, may happy crush lang… so, iba-iba ng atake. Dito, makikita n’yo na [may] malalim, makikita n’yo rin na may pagka-magaan.”Bianca summed it up as a “rollercoaster ride of emotions” that’s perfect for any kind of movie date. Whether you’re bringing family, friends, your crush, or even your ex, love you so bad welcomes everyone into its wide emotional embrace.“That&#x27;s the type of movie that it is. You can bring anyone because sobrang lawak ng range na tinatahak niya. So, we&#x27;re very, very excited for you guys to see it,” Bianca beamed.<div> </div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1765441838769embed_love you so bad x metro20251201_131255702.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div><div style="text-align:center"> </div><div style="text-align:center"> </div><div>A career milestone wrapped in holiday lights</div>For all three stars, being part of the 51st Metro Manila Film Festival Spotlight feels surreal as it marks the realization of long-held dreams. Dustin admits the magnitude still hasn’t fully sunk in. Aside from being his first MMFF project, the movie also stamps his first collaboration with Star Cinema, a dream he never imagined would arrive so soon. “First of all, super grateful ako kasi first time ko rin magkaroon ng MMFF entry. Ang dami kong first times e. First time ko maka-work ‘yung Star Cinema. Feeling ko parang lagi akong masuwerte araw-araw,” he shared, adding that it only truly hits once he sees the film.As for Bianca, who grew up viewing the MMFF as an essential Christmas tradition, Filipino films are as much a part of the holidays as noche buena and family gatherings, saying, “Well, growing up bilang isang mamamayan ng Pilipinas at bilang isang Pilipino, for me, hindi talaga nawawala ang pelikulang Pinoy tuwing Pasko. Lagi ko talaga inaabangan ‘yung MMFF. So, to be part of such a beautiful movie na magiging parte rin ng MMFF, it’s truly a blessing.”She added, “To be working alongside Star Cinema, Regal Entertainment, GMA Pictures, and of course, these two boys, grabe! Isa ‘to sa mga pinakamalaking blessing. This is one of the best Christmas gifts that I&#x27;ve ever received my whole life. So, I&#x27;m very, very thankful.”<div> </div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1765442073290dustin yu bianca de vera love you so bad x metro.jpg" style="width:500px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div style="text-align:left"> </div>Will echoes their gratitude, admitting that what once lived only in aspirations is now unfolding into reality. “I&#x27;m just so happy and grateful s’yempre, kasi kagaya nila, first time ko rin magkaroon ng MMFF entry. And lahat ito e pangarap lang before na nangyari na ngayon,” Will said.As meaningful as the milestone is, it also carries a sentimental tug, trading intimate Christmas celebrations with family for a holiday season spent promoting and celebrating with large crowds of moviegoers. Still, Will sees this chapter as a gift in itself, a chance to share the joy of cinema with audiences nationwide.“Nakakatuwa siya, at the same time, nakaka-senti dahil nakasanayan namin ‘yung family ko na nag-celebrate kami ng Christmas together. Pero this time, mag-celebrate kami ng Christmas kasama ang napakaraming tao. Pero s’yempre, napakagandang blessing naman nu’ng pumasok sa amin ngayon kaya sobrang nakakataba talaga ng puso,” the Nation’s Son remarked.<div style="text-align:left"> </div><div style="text-align:center"> </div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1765442197810embed_love you so bad x metro20251201_132218519.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div><div style="text-align:center"> </div><div style="text-align:center"> </div><div>Challenges behind the scenes and working with Mae Cruz Alviar</div>In Bianca’s case, playing Savannah meant maintaining balance between two love interests without unintentionally favoring either. If the question was what made it harder, it was that she genuinely fell in love with both characters off-camera.“One that I would like to share is the pressure of having to make both ships sail equally. Also, it was really hard for me until now to get out of my character, especially, ‘yung pagmamahal ko sa characters nilang dalawa. Kasi ‘yung characters nila as Vic and as LA, they were so easy to love. As in, sobrang na-in-love talaga ako sa kanila,” Bianca explained.The actress humorously recalled moments of reminding herself that Vic and LA weren’t real, that they existed only on the page, following emotionally charged scenes that left her deeply entwined with both men.She went on, “One time, nagmumuni-muni ako sa banyo. Kinuwento ko yata ‘to sa&#x27;yo (refers to Will) [nasa] Cotabato ako, sa banyo may hot shower. Sabi ko, ‘No, hindi sila totoo! Hindi sila totoo! Sinulat lang sila.’ Sobrang gaan nilang ka-work. Sobrang galing ng pagdala nila sa characters nila to the point na even me as Bianca, na-in love sa characters nila. So, I guess it&#x27;s one of the challenges that I went through and am still going through.”When it was Will’s turn, he mentioned that the most demanding aspect was juggling tight schedules while working on different projects. Plus, transitioning from one role to another wasn’t a walk in the park. “Siguro, the schedule kasi pareho-pareho kami na merong ginagawang ibang characters. So, medyo [challenging] ‘yung makapitan namin ‘yung characters namin dito. Ako si Vic, si Savannah, si LA. Mahirap siya somehow. But at the same time, ‘pag nandu’n kami sa set, sobrang nagiging malambot din kami dahil kay Direk Mae,” he confessed.<div> </div><div style="text-align:center"> </div><div style="text-align:left"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1765442501990dustin will love you so bd x metro booth.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div style="text-align:left"> </div>Will also has another MMFF entry this year with Bar Boys: After School” an upcoming sequel to the 2017 comedy drama film. Dustin faced a similar hurdle while learning to embody LA, whose personality differed drastically from his own. Add a second ongoing project into the mix, and the challenge intensified. Diving fully into LA’s world required deep character analysis.“‘Yung paghanap ko sa character ko. ‘Yung pag-intindi ko sa kanya ng buong-buo kasi I set my mind na talagang ipasok ko sa sarili ko ‘yung character ko. E, medyo nahirapan ako at first kasi may sinasabay din akong i-shoot na movie. So, magkaibang character din tapos malayo rin siya sa totoong ugali ko,” admitted Dustin.The trio shares profound admiration for Mae Cruz Alviar, with her directing skills shaping both their performances and their growth as artists.Will initially expected strictness from her, and while Director Mae was certainly focused and precise in her vision, he found in her a grounding force. When the pressures piled up, she became a steady source of reassurance, reminding them to trust the process and themselves.<div> </div><div style="text-align:left"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1765442675132embed_love you so bad x metro20251201_130439269.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div><div style="text-align:left"> </div>“At first, akala ko super strict siya. I mean, strict siya talaga sa kung ano ‘yung gusto niyang gawin para sa film. But at the same time, si Direk Mae talaga ‘yung comfort namin pagdating sa set. Kapag nabubuhusan kami ng sandamakmak na problema or kahit anumang naisip namin, si Direk Mae ‘yung ‘pag nilapitan mo, mapapakalma ka talaga niya. And i-guide ka niya sa tamang landas, at i-make sure niya na okay ka talaga lagi,” Will shared.Working with her was an unforgettable experience for Dustin as he looks back on how her warmth and calming presence balanced out the heaviness of their scenes, stating, “Actually, na-mi-miss nga namin si Direk Mae. Isa [siya] sa ni-lu-look forward namin palagi kasi sobrang light niya katrabaho, sobrang saya. Marami kang matututuhan. Tsaka mabibigat kasi ‘yung mga eksena din namin pero ‘yung comfort na nabibigay niya talaga, ibang klase.”“Ngayon, gets ko na ‘yung mga ibang artista na naka-work na si Direk Mae. Iba e. Ibang-iba ‘yung feeling. And ako ngayon, sobrang swerte ko kasi na-experience ko ‘yun,” he added.<div style="text-align:left"> </div><div style="text-align:center"> </div><div style="text-align:left"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1765442847014bianca and will love you so bad x metro collage.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div style="text-align:left"> </div>Bianca’s bond with Director Mae runs deepest. Having collaborated several times before, Mae was the first director who truly believed in her talent, including giving Bianca her earliest major opportunities. Reuniting for her first lead role felt like destiny, a full-circle moment.“Si Direk Mae ‘yung unang director na tumaya talaga sa akin. My first project with her was in 2 Good 2 Be True pa. Siya ‘yung isa sa mga unang naniwala talaga sa akin. So, hearing na siya rin magdi-direct ng unang lead role ko, I just found so much comfort in the fact na makakasama ko siya. Even sa set, sobrang nurturing kasi ni Direk Mae. I think she&#x27;s just the best. I love her to death. And everyone knows that. She knows that. She’s just such a joy to work with,” Bianca expressed.Once trending hashtags, now leading stars—Will, Bianca, and Dustin are officially bringing their long-debated love-triangle narrative to the big screen this holiday season. love you so bad also stars Dimples Romana, Agot Isidro, Ana Abad Santos, Bodjie Pascua, Desiree Del Valle, and former PBB Celebrity Collab Edition housemates Xyriel Manabat, Ralph De Leon, and Vince Maristela. The film opens on December 25 in cinemas nationwide.<div> </div>Photos from The Memory Machine Photobooth (@thememorymachinebooth)Special thanks to Star Cinema, GMA Sparkle, and Star Magic

Metro.Style sat down with Dustin Yu, Bianca de Vera, and Will Ashley fresh off completing "Love You So Bad" to talk about this career-first moment and why it might just be the Christmas movie that speaks straight to the heart of a generation navigating love one brave choice at a time.

Metro.Style sat down with Dustin Yu, Bianca de Vera, and Will Ashley fresh off completing "Love You So Bad" to talk about this career-first moment and why it might just be the Christmas movie that speaks straight to the heart of a generation navigating love one brave choice at a time.

Talking Love, Firsts, and Film Sets with 'Love You So Bad' Stars Will Ashley, Bianca de Vera, and Dustin Yu

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Talking Love, Firsts, and Film Sets with 'Love You So Bad' Stars Will Ashley, Bianca de Vera, and Dustin Yu

Leigh Sofia Lazo

Published December 12, 2025 12:15 PM PHT

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Updated December 12, 2025 12:22 PM PHT

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