Julia Barretto and Carlo Aquino expressed their excitement for the premiere of Hold Me Close.

Both actors received a warm welcome from fans and fellow celebrities as they walked the red carpet for the early screening of the 50th Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) entry in Quezon City on Tuesday.

“Ang lamig ng kamay ko. ‘Di ko pa napapanood, this is the first. Excited pero kinakabahan,” Aquino said in an interview.

(My hands are cold. I haven’t watched it yet, this is the first. Excited but nervous.)

“Nakaabang ako sa reaction ng mga tao. I wonder how they will react to the love story,” Barretto added.

(I’m looking forward to people’s reactions. I wonder how they will react to the love story.)

Set in Karatsu, Japan, this romantic-fantasy film marks Julia’s second collaboration with Carlo Aquino and director Jason Paul Laxamana.

“I am excited about the setting. I’m so excited to see how beautiful Japan is in the film and the way Direk captured it to show the love story through the locations,” Barretto teased.

Both actors encouraged the public to watch Hold Me Close along with the other entries in the MMFF, which will be screened in cinemas starting on Christmas Day.

“I hope to watch all. Ang laking bagay supportahan lahat ng pelikula para sa industriya natin,” Aquino added.

(I hope to watch all the films. Supporting all movies is a big thing for our industry.)