Actor Paolo Gumabao expressed excitement as his first lead film with Czech actress Sara Sandeva, titled ‘Spring in Prague’, is finally set for theatrical release on February 4, 2026.
Produced by Borracho Films under lawyer-film producer Atty. Ferdinand “Ferdie” Topacio, the romantic film was written by Palanca Award-winning writer Eric Ramos and directed by Lester Dimaranan.
The film was shot across two countries, with half of the scenes filmed in Puerto Galera and Tagaytay, and the remaining half shot on location in Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic.
While Sandeva enjoyed filming in the Philippines, Gumabao shared that shooting in Prague came with a major challenge—extreme cold.
“We’re shooting scenes and the weather was -10 degrees,” Paolo recalled. “Nanginginig na ang bibig mo then makakalimutan mo na ang lines mo dahil nangingibabaw na ‘yung lamig.”
He added that delivering his English lines while trying not to visibly shiver was especially difficult, noting that the cold affected not only the cast but also the director, producer, and crew.
“But we had fun doing the film,” he said.
Gumabao described filming in Prague as an unforgettable experience, particularly shooting at iconic locations. “We shot scenes in the Charles Bridge, an iconic site in Prague. That was memorable for me,” he shared.
Despite concerns about working abroad, Gumabao said there were no major communication issues on set. “Most of the Czechs speak English. Most of them were fluent in English, so we didn’t have any problem while shooting,” he explained.
The actor also clarified that while the film contains romantic moments, the love scenes were subtle. “Meron ding scenes na medyo mainit,” Paolo said with a smile. “Maligamgam.”
Although he has often said he prefers to move away from sexy roles, Gumabao admitted he still considers them if the story resonates with him. “Every time a script with a sexy role comes and I liked it, I will accept the offer. I remember the story and the character and forgot about the sexy part,” he said.
Producer Atty. Topacio previously praised Gumabao’s performance, saying the actor fully transformed into his character—something he did not initially expect.
‘Spring in Prague’ tells the story of two people from different cultures and backgrounds, with emotions unfolding naturally rather than forcefully, according to early viewers.
The film opens nationwide on February 4, 2026.
