Bela Padilla and Carlo Aquino opened up about the special memories they would personally want to keep—moments that remain vivid and close to their hearts—during the media conference for ‘A Special Memory’.
When asked what memory in their lives still feels fresh up to now, Carlo immediately mentioned his daughter.
“Ako is when ipinanganak si Mithi. Yung first time kong makita si Mithi. (For me, it was the time when Mithi was born. The first time I saw Mithi),” said Carlo, referring to his daughter with former partner Trina Candaza.
Bela, meanwhile, turned emotional as she shared a simple yet deeply personal moment.
“Ako naman nasa Paris. It was a warm day, and I bought myself some bread. I felt so good that day.
“Sabi ko, I’ve worked hard to get here to buy myself this bread. I enjoyed every bite. That’s it. Tinapay lang yung sa akin, eh. Parang patay-gutom ako,” she said with a laugh.
Presented by Viva Films and directed by Jerry Lopez Sineneng and Ricky Lee, ‘A Special Memory’ is a Philippine adaptation of the acclaimed Japanese series ‘Pure Soul’.
The film follows Sandra (Bela), a fashion designer trying to rebuild her life, who falls in love with Dindo (Carlo), a construction foreman in her family’s company. Their romance takes a heartbreaking turn when Sandra is diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. Fearing she will become a burden, she leaves Dindo and admits herself to a nursing home—forcing him to love her from a distance and patiently reintroduce himself as her memories fade.
Bela expressed confidence that the film could become a classic.
She also noted that she has never done a project quite like this before.
Carlo, on the other hand, admitted he initially hesitated to accept the role.
“Natatakot akong gawin ito kasi yung role na may Alzheimer’s disease, may stages yan, eh.
“Tapos iko-compress mo sa an hour and a half. So, yung emotions ng character, ang dami niyang hinihingi. Takot na takot talaga ako,” he said.
This marks Bela and Carlo’s reunion after their 2018 film Meet Me in St. Gallen, which cemented their onscreen chemistry. In ‘A Special Memory’, they once again explore themes of love, loss, and devotion—this time through a story that asks whether love can endure even when memory fails.
Joining them in the film are Lotlot de Leon, Joel Torre, Yayo Aguila, Jaime Fabregas, Phoebe Walker, and Paolo Gumabao.
‘A Special Memory’ opens in cinemas nationwide beginning March 11.
