JoshLia, Director Petersen Vargas on Shooting in Naga for "Un/Happy for You"

The setting is part of the storytelling. It can enhance the story and affect the overall tone of a movie. In the case of Star Cinema and Viva Films' Un/Happy for You, starring Joshua Garcia and Julia Barretto, Naga City in Camarines Sur was the backdrop of this movie about exes.

Naga is known as the "Queen City of Bicol" not only for its central location but also its historical significance in the Bicol Region. People were curious as to why, of all places in the Philippines, Naga was their filming location of choice. 

In our exclusive interview with director Petersen Vargas, he talked about how excited he was when he found out they were shooting in Bicol. The production team zoomed in on Naga because the place is known for its food, and food is integral in the story of Un/Happy for You since Joshua's character, Juancho, is the chef of their family-owned restaurant, called Casa Rosa, which specializes in Bicolano cuisine. 

"I think more than the places, the attraction in Naga is really the food," direk Petersen noted. 

When asked what he likes most about shooting in Naga, Joshua quickly said, "Love the food." His favorite is the famous Bicol dish called Kinalas. This dish was particularly memorable for direk Petersen as well. Introducing the dish, he explained, "It's like a Filipino-style ramen but kaya siya 'Kinalas' because I think they boil a pig's head and kung ano man 'yung kumalas na meat, that's the meat and then you make gravy out of the parts of the meat as well. So it's like a very hearty fix soup, ramen-style dish."

To better portray his character, Joshua also had a crash course in cooking, which helped him prepare for the scenes where he needed to showcase some culinary skills. While filming, he learned to cook Bicol Express (a spicy dish with pork cubes cooked in coconut milk) and Laing (which ​​is made of dried taro leaves cooked with pork belly, coconut milk, and chili peppers).  

Joshua and direk Petersen both agree that the Bicol Express is noteworthy. Of course, Manileños are familiar with it, but on the set, the two rediscovered it. Direk Petersen shared, "Bicol Express tastes different. I felt like what I was eating my whole life was, I don't know, a Manila version of Bicol Express because there, it's more sili and bagoong than meat, like the meat is like the garnish, and I like spicy food." The director further commented on how amazed he is that the Bicolanos were able to keep the tradition of their local cuisine there. 

Since Bicolanos are known to love spicy food, that element of spiciness was integrated into the storytelling of Un/Happy for You. A flavor tinged with anger and strong feelings, the spiciness in their cuisine was used as a metaphor for the spiciness of the reunion of exes Juancho and Zy (Julia). 

The dishes in Naga were definitely a pleasant memory for the Un/Happy for You team, but one other thing they won't forget is when Atty. Leni Robredo visited them on the set. The former Vice President of the Philippines was born in Naga, and so she welcomed them into their city, kicking off Un/Happy for You's promotion when she posted photos with the movie's crew and cast members."

That jumpstarted our promo because she posted about that film, and everyone suddenly knew that we were shooting in Naga," direk Petersen said. "What an honor!"

"Was it your first time to meet her?" Julia asked Joshua about meeting Atty. Leni in Naga. He said yes, and when Julia further asked Joshua about what that experience was like for him, he recalled, "Kasi nu'ng pumasok siya, nag-eeksena ako nu'n. Nu'ng pagtingin kong ganu'n, na-distract ako. Eh nagte-take kami nu'n so diretso lang ako, nagluluto lang ako. 'Di na ako tumingin. Nag-focus na lang ako. Tapos after nu'n, medyo na-starstruck ako… 'Tas ang bait. Mabait si Madam. Para s'yang nanay sa lahat. Sabi ko nga sa kanya, pagpasensyahan, kasi nagkakagulo eh lahat. Sabi ko pagpasensyahan niyo na 'yung pamilya namin, ngayon lang nakakita ng artista 'yan."

Julia also noticed that the presence of Atty. Leni uplifted everyone's spirit on the set. "Nabuhayan sila talaga that day so, we're so grateful," Julia said. 

Julia also won't forget direk Petersen's reaction upon seeing Atty. Leni. She recalled, laughing, "Lalo si direk, I won't forget direk's face. Pag-enter niya [Atty. Leni], sabi ni direk, habang nag-eeksena si Josh, ito 'yung monitor ni direk. Sabi niya, [mimicks wow face]. Ang laki nu'ng [points to mouth]."

Direk Petersen also revealed that Atty. Leni even toured them in one of the old churches there, Our Lady of Peñafrancia, and it so happened that it was the wedding anniversary of Atty. Leni and her late husband, former Naga Mayor Jesse Robredo, when they visited. "Du'n daw sila nag-first date," direk Petersen shared with a smile. "So many special moments in Naga!" 

Working with an ex can be challenging, but even more so when it's for a movie about exes. But Joshua and Julia have moved past their past and have genuinely become friends, making their working relationship for the comeback movie of their tandem, JoshLia. 

Julia opened up in our cover story, "I don't know how we got so lucky that everything just came so naturally and easy. Walang naging challenge reuniting with Josh again. He's in such a good headspace and in a good place in his life that it really shows in his aura and the way na paano siya makisama sa ibang tao and even to me. So, I don't know, parang ang swerte namin na nakakagawa pa kami ng pelikula na magkasama, na genuinely okay kami, masaya kami, nakakapag-share pa kami. Nakakapagtawanan pa kami, parang I guess it's rare. And 'yun, du'n ako sobrang thankful kasi it was easy with him doing this." 

Lead photos from @awarewolves @starcinema