There was something different in the air at Gateway Mall 2 last Tuesday afternoon. Long before the program officially started, fans were already gathering near the activity area, cameras ready and phones raised high, all waiting for a glimpse of the powerhouse cast of Love Is Never Gone—the newest original series from Prime Video PH and ABS-CBN Entertainment.
From the moment guests arrived, the excitement felt nonstop. Conversations among media guests and creators quickly revolved around one thing: the highly anticipated pairing of Joshua Garcia and Ivana Alawi. Even before the stars appeared, the crowd already knew they were about to witness one of the biggest entertainment events of the week.
The afternoon began with a more relaxed and intimate atmosphere over a pre-event gathering at Kenny Rogers Roasters. It gave attendees time to settle in, exchange predictions about the story, and discuss the chemistry between the lead stars before the main spectacle unfolded. But once the clock hit 4 PM, the calm atmosphere instantly transformed into full-on blue carpet fever.
The moment Joshua Garcia stepped onto the blue carpet, the screams inside the venue became deafening. Dressed effortlessly sharp and carrying his signature laid-back charm, Joshua immediately drew the attention of everyone in attendance. Fans rushed closer to the barricades while cameras flashed nonstop from every direction. Just moments later, Ivana Alawi arrived, radiating elegance and confidence as she greeted the crowd with warm smiles and playful waves. The energy inside Gateway Mall 2 instantly doubled.
Together, Joshua and Ivana commanded the carpet with undeniable chemistry. Every interaction between them—whether a quick laugh, a glance, or a playful exchange—sent the audience into another round of cheers. It became obvious why viewers are already heavily invested in their pairing even before the official release of the series.
@lionheartv Legend recognized! Inamin ni Ms. Dina Bonnevie sa mediacon na matagal na niyang gustong makatrabaho sina Joshua Garcia at Ivana Alawi. Today, dream come true na dahil finally, magkakasama na sila sa Love is Never Gone! Sobrang happy din ni Ms. D dahil gustong-gusto niya ang character niyang si Katarina Verona rito. If a veteran icon is this excited, alam nating world-class ang seryeng ‘to! Love Is Never Gone this May 8 na at Prime Video PH #LovelsNeverGone #DinaBonnevie #JoshuaGarcia #IvanaAlawi #JoshVana ♬ original sound – LIONHEARTV
Adding even more star power to the night were cast members Jane Oineza, Jameson Blake, Fyang Smith, and JM Ibarra, each bringing their own charisma and style to the event. Fans lined every corner of the venue, hoping to capture photos and videos of the ensemble cast, turning the blue carpet into a visually stunning celebration of Filipino entertainment.
Inside Cinema 11, anticipation reached another level as the audience finally got to watch exclusive scenes from Love Is Never Gone on the big screen. The room fell silent during emotional moments, only to erupt into reactions during the intense romantic scenes between Joshua and Ivana. Their chemistry translated powerfully onscreen, making several scenes feel even more intimate and emotionally charged inside the cinema setting.
But perhaps one of the loudest crowd reactions during the mediacon happened when Joshua and Ivana were asked to rate their kissing scene in the series. The playful exchange instantly sent the audience into laughter and cheers as the two stars teased each other while answering the question. Their natural comfort and chemistry became one of the defining highlights of the evening, giving fans even more reasons to anticipate the series premiere.
The mediacon also delivered heartfelt and emotional moments, especially when veteran actress Dina Bonnevie took the microphone. In a sincere and touching statement, she shared how long she had wished to work with both Joshua and Ivana. According to her, finally collaborating with the two stars felt like a dream fulfilled. She also admitted that she deeply fell in love with her role in the series, a statement that resonated strongly with the audience, given her reputation as one of the industry’s most respected and selective actresses.
As the cast continued sharing behind-the-scenes stories and memorable filming experiences, the atmosphere inside the cinema became more personal and intimate. It no longer felt like a simple promotional event—it felt like a celebration of storytelling, passion, and the collaboration between veteran actors and today’s rising generation of stars.
What made the entire experience memorable was how connected the cast seemed not only with each other but also with the audience. Joshua and Ivana, in particular, consistently engaged with fans throughout the event, taking time to smile, wave, and acknowledge supporters who had waited hours just to see them in person.
By the end of the night, one thing became very clear: Love Is Never Gone is shaping up to become more than just another romantic drama series. With the undeniable chemistry of Joshua Garcia and Ivana Alawi, a strong supporting cast, and emotionally driven storytelling, the series already carries the kind of excitement usually reserved for major television phenomena.
From the blue carpet glamour to the emotional mediacon revelations and crowd-favorite kilig moments, the grand screening at Gateway Mall 2 delivered an unforgettable experience that perfectly captured the magic behind “Love Is Never Gone.”
The series officially premieres on May 8 via Prime Video PH. (with reports from Benedick Marasigan)
