Even before Almost Us began taking full shape, there was already a strong vouch of confidence behind it. Regal Entertainment executive vice president and executive producer Keith Monteverde told PR and promotions head Eric John Salut, “I have never seen a script as beautiful as this one.” When Salut later shared that remark, Monteverde simply nodded in agreement while looking at lead stars JM Ibarra and Fyang Smith, a quiet but telling sign of his confidence in both the story and its stars.
Top-billed by the breakout duo from Pinoy Big Brother: Gen 11, Almost Us serves as the first full-length film pairing for Ibarra and Smith, collectively known to fans as “JMFyang.” Produced by Regal Entertainment in partnership with Project 8 Projects, the romantic comedy positions the two as a rising love team in Philippine cinema.
For Monteverde, committing to the project did not require much deliberation. Their earlier collaboration already proved what the pair could do onscreen. As he explained, “Yeah, medyo agad. Kasi I had the experience of working with JMFyang sa Shake [‘Shake, Rattle and Roll]. They were so good. My mom and I were thinking ano kayang project puwedeng launching ng JMFyang . So good timing, tumawag si Direk Dan. Facebook Messenger ata and we said yes right away,” Monteverde said.
Directed by Villegas, the film looks into present-day relationships shaped by online culture, fandom, and timing. At its core is the idea of “almost love” or connections that feel real but never fully come together.
Interestingly, Villegas did not begin with a finished script. His starting point was the pairing itself. When asked why he chose JMFyang for his comeback project, he was direct, “Na-in love ako sa dalawa eh!” He continued, “ Hindi, talaga! As in na-impress talaga ako dun sa Cinemalaya tapos from there, nag-deep dive talaga ako. Alam mo ‘yung one of those nights na nagsimula ka lang sa isang video tapos maya-maya, 4am na pala tapos pure JMFyang pinapanood ko.”
That late-night deep dive turned into something more deliberate. Villegas shared how his initial admiration for Ibarra’s work led him to discover the pairing and eventually envision a project built around them. “Sobra kong happy kasi first time ko naencounter si JM, napanood ko ‘yung pelikula niya sa Cinemalaya. I was impressed talaga, as in, sabi ko gusto kong maka-work itong batang ‘to. Noong night na ‘yun, nag-research ako at nakita ko nga ‘yung love team nila, ‘yung JMFyang. Noong nanonood ako ng clips nila, kinikilig ako eh, tapos ‘yung a few days later, minessage ko na si Keith,” Villegas shared, as he also expressed appreciation to the Monteverdes for making the collaboration possible.
The project also reunites Villegas with Project 8 Projects, the company he co-founded with Antoinette Jadaone, and features a screenplay by seasoned romcom writer Juan Miguel Sevilla.
Beyond chemistry and talent, Villegas pointed to something more lasting, the way the two actors approach their craft. With a director fully invested, a producer confident in both story and stars, and a pairing gaining momentum, Almost Us has the potential of becoming an iconic bestfriends-turned-lovers movie.
Catch it in cinemas this May 6, 2026.
