Heaven Peralejo and Marco Gallo: A love-hate relationship?

BY ANNALYN S. JUSAY

  

---

AT A GLANCE

• Like any good marriage, Marco and Heaven agree that they're both in a "love-hate relationship," which keeps them from going into the full-blown romance path many expect them to tread.

---

(From left) Gen Z stars Marco Gallo and Heaven Peralejo with Gino M. Santos, director of 'Men Are From QC, Women Are From Alabang' showing on May 1.

Filipino-Italian actor Marco Gallo describes his team-up with award-winning actress Heaven Peralejo as "a marriage without a ring." 

By now, the two have worked together on several major projects: "The Rain In España," "The Ship Show," and "Safe Skies, Archer." Their latest movie from Viva, "Men Are from QC, Women Are from Alabang," will be shown in cinemas starting May 1.

Like any good marriage, Marco and Heaven agree that they're both in a "love-hate relationship," which keeps them from going into the full-blown romance path many expect them to tread.

"Sometimes you feel like you're falling in love, and sometimes you feel like you're hating this person...just because we're so comfortable with each other. Because you don't wanna ruin it, you just try to be friends, but then sometimes you can't help it. I feel like we're just trying to enjoy every project we have. And taking it slow," Marco remarked. 

The two agree they're "halfway there" when developing a romantic connection.  Heaven pointed out: "Meron kaming love-hate relationship, and I think it's good. It gives color. We learn to be a better person afterwards. Natututo kaming maging humble, or mawala yung pride. Things like that actually build the future."

Marco and Heaven are once again glad to collaborate with director Gino Santos for "Men Are From QC...," after working with him in "Safe Skies, Archer." In return, the director only has good things to say about MarVen, praising them for having "a partnership of actors."

"Mag-away sila because the scene needs them to be angry at each other. You see that they help each other. Heaven knows what makes Marco cry. Marco knows how Heaven gets pissed off. They use that to improve their characters para magawan ng paraan ang eksena at para ma-motivate sila. Ito yung partnership of actors talaga, which I appreciate," Director Gino stated. 

"Men Are From QC, Women Are From Alabang' is the most mature love story I've ever done. Expect a different Marco and Heaven here because grabe  talaga yung binigay nila sa film na ito. I'm proud of them for accepting it," the director added. 

Adapted from the book of Filipino-Chinese author Stanley Chi, the film's protagonists are Tino (Marco) and Aica (Heaven) who meet at work and fall in love. The plot deals with the complexities of a romantic love that is not only challenged by the distance between cities but  also by the demands of work and the need for emotional satisfaction. 

Inasmuch as the film tackles the differences between a man and a woman, Heaven and Marco were able to reflect on the specific qualities they like and dislike about each other.

"I think Heaven is the first girl that I have ever dealt with where the importance of being a man and the importance of being a woman is so important. You know, for her, a man needs to give his girl the princess treatment," Marco pointed out. "In return, a woman needs to make her man happy by, you know, cheering him up and supporting him with everything he wants. Honestly, I have never dealt with a woman like her before."

On the other hand, Heaven had this to say about her screen partner. " Sobrang maalaga ni Marco. One time, I was wearing slippers on the set, and he wiped my feet because it got dirty. That's him. His love language is to serve. That's one thing I love about him."

What can audiences  learn from movies like "Men Are From QC, Women Are From Alabang?" Director Gino pondered on its lessons.

"Every relationship is different. Communication is key. You have to find out your goal at the right moment in life, whether it's for love or a career. Some people can have both, but, you know, not everyone can have the privilege of getting love and a career at the same time. So you have to choose wisely, especially in this day and age. Mahal lang magmahal," he stressed.

"Men Are From QC, Women Are From Alabang" is a Viva Films Production presented by Sari Sari Network Inc. in cooperation with MediaQuest Ventures and Studio Viva.

12 things about award-winning Gen Z actress Heaven Peralejo

BY ANNALYN S. JUSAY

Oct 8, 2023 07:26 AM

  

---

AT A GLANCE

• "Dahil sa 'Nanahimik Ang Gabi,' nagbago ang takbo ng buhay ko. Noong time na yun, I was losing confidencein myself, I wanted to stop na. Akala ko hindi na ako gustong makita ng mga tao. Grateful ako kay Direk Lauren (Dyogi) because he encouraged me to take on the project, Binigay ko na lang ang lahat ng kaya kong ibigay. I didn't know it would all lead to this beautiful moment," Heaven said in an interview at the office of her management outfit, Viva Artists Agency.

---

Heaven Peralejo (Images courtesy of Facebook)

Only 23, Gen Z actress Heaven Peralejo is on top of the world, juggling several film projects and earning accolades for acting. But it wasn't always this way. She remembers that dark moment last year when she was promoting "Nanahimik Ang Gabi," the movie that would eventually lead her to the cusp of recognition and stardom.

"Dahil sa 'Nanahimik Ang Gabi,' nagbago ang takbo ng buhay ko. Noong time na yun, I was losing confidence in myself, I wanted to stop na. Akala ko hindi na ako gustong makita ng mga tao. Grateful ako kay Direk Lauren (Dyogi) because he encouraged me to take on the project, Binigay ko na lang ang lahat ng kaya kong ibigay. I didn't know it would all lead to this beautiful moment," Heaven said in an interview at the office of her  management outfit, Viva Artists Agency.

Heaven's hands are full at present. She is part of the upcoming Philippine adaptation of the hit South Korean movie Sunny. She will also return for the second season of The University Series, the follow-up to The Rain in Espana - Safe Skies, Archer. In December, she will go to Singapore to compete with other best actresses in the region for the Asian Academy Creative Awards. Speaking articulately about her plans, Heaven remains level-headed and is careful not to let the success get into her head. But definitely, what stands out now is her new-found confidence to conquer the world. 

"I see myself as a chameleon who blends in, who doesn't want to be placed in a box. I don't want to be limited, I want to be limitless. Sabi nga nila, the sky's the limit. If the sky's the limit, then I'm Heaven," she remarks happily.

Here are 10 things worth knowing about the former PBB housemate and award-winning  actress who is set to become one of the big stars of her generation: 

1. She has seven small tattoos, mostly on her arms, with different meanings. The designs include a heart, a moon, a lotus, and a Morse code. The first tattoo she got was a couple of birds representing her and her mom, Luanne, whom she is very close to. 

2. Heaven finished her business management college degree from Southville International School two years ago. Still, only this coming November will she receive her diploma in a proper graduation ceremony.

3. She is thrilled to be pitted with top Korean actress Song Hye-kyo in the forthcoming Asian Academy Creative Awards. "To be nominated alongside her, sobrang laking step na yun kasi pinapanood ko lang sya sa The Glory. Isa ako sa mga fans nya," Heaven says with excitement.

4. She revealed that a spy is one role she would like to portray. This is something she has been dreaming of since she was a kid. Heaven said that she practices Muay Thai and regularly goes to the gym to prepare for the role, even if there is no formal project yet. It's her way of manifesting things to happen.

5. She speaks fondly of her ka-loveteam Marco Gallo, her former housemate in Pinoy Big Brother: Lucky 7. They (MarVen) are going to work together on another project soon! " We have this understanding na kahit hindi kami magkasama sa work, we're there to support and respect each other; we're going to help each other. I'm grateful that I found this person in showbiz who  cares for me." 

6. She describes her heart right now as "happy and content. I'm no longer trying to control where my life leads me, it's more of surrendering into the moment and just enjoying what God gives me." She assures her fans, "if I found the right person to love, I'll shout it to the whole world. Maririnig nyo yan." 

7. Heaven is kept grounded by her two pets, a Yorkie (dog) and a British shorthair (cat).  "Every day, they remind me to clean up after their mess! They bring out my feminine, motherly  side."

8 . The actress enjoys simple pleasures like pottery-making, arranging flowers, and walking her dog in the park. She says it's important "not to lose myself in all this extravagance, always to be humble, always to be a good friend, a good person, a good daughter, a good actor."

9 . Her one mantra in life is to keep calm and chill. " Kalma lang sa lahat ng bagay. Doon mo makikita kung ano ang ibibigay sa iyo ng universe." 

10. Even though Heaven has approximately 15 million combined followers on her social media, she prefers to keep some things under wraps. For example, she's now learning how to dance, but she's not posting about it. "I like to give surprises."

11. At the age of 16, Heaven knew she wanted to be an actress. "First, I wanted to help my mom. And when I started doing workshops, I knew this was the job I wanted to pursue. I want to move people with my emotions and make them feel less lonely."

12. Heaven would instead pursue authenticity rather than perfection. "What you see is what you get. I don't want to have this persona of being a perfect woman. I'm imperfect, but I try to be authentic because it's harder to rise from your mistakes to become a better person. Siguro nakikita ng mga kabataan ngayon na it's okay to make mistakes as long as you learn from it."