Why Sarah G and dog Milo make for unbeatable team in ‘Unforgettable’
More than her star power, Sarah Geronimo was offered to play lead role in “Unforgettable” for presence that lights up the screen as soon as she enters the frame and even before a line is uttered.
This is what “Unforgettable” directors Jun Lana and Perci Intalan told Bulletin
Entertainment when asked what exactly is Sarah’s “magic” as actress.
“Hindi siya magic kung ’di ’yung pagiging grounded ni Sarah is so relatable to many people,” Jun said. “He is one of few actors in the Philippines na ’yung presence pa lang niya, nabubuhayan ka na, may nararamdaman ka na agad na energy at saya na galing sa kanya.”
Perci added that the singer-actress was so invested in the character she played that she gave a lot of her time even outside the shoot in researching about her role and the movie. “Kaya naman pagdating niya sa set ay handa na siya, naiintindihan na niya ang gagawin,” he said. “Sarah works as an actress because she gives it a lot of hard work.”
In “Unforgettable,” Sarah plays Jasmine, a young woman on a journey to Baguio. Her goal is to bring pet dog Happy to her sick grandmother in the hopes that the Jack Russell Terrier would be instrumental to healing.
As the two make their way to the City of Pines, they meet different kinds of people. With Jasmine’s sharp memory and Happy’s remarkable skills, they are able to help people somehow, touching lives in every place they pass by.
Why do a dog film, we asked the directors.
“It started with Jun when he did ‘Bwakaw,’ which starred the late Eddie Garcia. That film also had dogs but though it was a charming, well-loved film, it was an indie film. So, since we realized very few have done a dog film in mainstream, we thought, ‘Why not?’” Perci said.
Jun added: ”And we know Sarah is a dog lover. So, we sent the script to her and fortunately, she liked it. In fact, dinagdagan
pa ni Sarah ng complexity ’yung character niya as she understood ’yung journey na pinagdadaanan nito.”
On the set during shoots, only Sarah and trainor Daryl Tristan Huertas could pet Milo (the dog’s real name) so that it won’t get confused and so as not disrupt the tight bond it has with her.
“Sarah gave a lot of her time bonding with Milo or Happy so that when we started shooting, may chemistry na sila,” Jun revealed. “She’s so pure of heart, so kind and good. Na-complement nila ang isa’tisa in this friendship story, in this different kind of love story.”
How did they find Milo? The two laughed.
“Stroke of luck,” Jun said. “We auditioned a lot of dogs pero kahit andami ding nagagawa ng mga nag-audition na iba, Milo has this energy like Sarah. Pareho silang may natural gift so we knew they would fit.”
According to a release, the wonder dog also starred in Vice Ganda’s box office hit, “Fantastica.” As early as 2017, Milo has been appearing in various TV programs, showcasing his ability to play dead, roll, spin nonstop, jump through his master’s arms, remove his master’s socks, do a massage, and even pray before eating. Milo was only two months old when Daryl started to train him.
Also in the “Unforgettable” cast are Regine Velasquez-Alcasid, Anne Curtis, Cherie Gil, Tirso Cruz III, Yayo Aguila, Ara Mina, Kim Molina, Meg Imperial, and Gina Pareño. The movie opens in theaters on Oct. 23.