CARLO, JASMINE AND BING EXPLORE ETERNAL LOVE IN ‘THE TIME THAT REMAINS’

CARLO AQUINO, JASMINE CURTIS-SMITH AND BING PIMENTEL LEAD THE CAST of Adolfo Alix Jr.'s “The Time That Remains,” which offers a Filipino take on the vampire myth.

- By NATHALIE TOMADA

Carlo plays Matias, an immortal Kalinga warrior who has lived through generations in solitude until he meets the mortal Lilia (played by Jasmine and Bing in different timelines) during the Japanese occupation.

He starts out as her protector and eventually becomes her lover. Fast forward to the present, he can only do so much for her as the passage of time means that life is slowly slipping away from her, while he remains the same.

Backdropped by chilly Baguio, the film explores existential themes such as love, loss and mortality — or immortality. To what lengths will you go for the person you love when time is no longer by your side? That's one of the big love questions that the movie makes you reflect on.

During an intimate roundtable chat with the lead cast last Friday, love was also the main theme they resonated with the most.

Jasmine said, “Love, I think, because in the entire life of Lilia, ‘yun yung umiiral para sa kanya (that’s what prevails for her). Love for her parents but at the same time, I guess the irony of the love that she has for (them). And then, when she discovers love through Matias, she (learns love) for her own life, love for her own career.”

For Carlo, “In terms of personal, love of course! Isa ‘yan sa mga driving force ko. Love for my family, love for my friends.”

Bing agreed, “You can’t give what you don’t have, so you have to love, love, love, love! Start with yourself before you can give to others.”

Carlo has done multiple romantic films, but this is the first time he has experienced a story where his character loves someone throughout her lifetime.

“Eternal love, something that would give you peace, Happiness .- Although may mga pinagdaanan din si Lilia at si Matias but in the end, yung love pa rin nila (is what makes it different). Yung walang katapusan (it has no end),” the actor said.