MANILA, Philippines - ?Sila pero hindi sila (They?re a couple, but they?re not),? was how filmmaker Joyce Bernal described the deliciously confusing state of KC Concepcion and Richard Gutierrez?s relationship. ?Sila ngayon (They?re an item right now)??at press time, at least.

Bernal, who directs the tandem?s debut outing, ?For the First Time,? conceded that spending 10 days on the Greek islands of Santorini helped KC and Richard get into character?as a love-struck pair in this heady romance from Star Cinema.

Initially, however, KC was ?guarded,? Bernal told Inquirer Entertainment in an exclusive interview: ?Maybe she was worried about how her mom (singer-actress Sharon Cuneta) would react to the romantic scenes.?

It didn?t help that the tender moments were watched by busloads of tourists.

?After [one kissing scene], the tourists applauded,? Bernal recounted. ?KC got self-conscious. But Richard, to his credit, didn?t push it. He respected KC.?

But when they got back to Manila, the two?s onscreen chemistry was reignited.

?Dito sa Manila ang mga bonggang kissing scenes,? Bernal quipped. ?They would need more than five takes.?

How did she pull it off? She gave KC a pep talk: ?I told her that she should do the romantic scenes with Richard wholeheartedly. She should give her all.?

KC delivered, the filmmaker noted.

?She exuded strength of character,? Bernal said. ?I like the way Richard and KC work.?

Needless to say, their stay on Santorini helped seal the deal?especially since the popular destination topped the director, KC and Richard?s list when they were asked by Star Cinema managing director Malou Santos where they wanted to shoot.

?It looks different from the rest of Europe,? she explained. ?The blue of the sky and the sea are breathtaking.?

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