For Anne Curtis, love stories today demand more than chemistry. They require truth, timing and emotional maturity. That perspective is what drew her to The Loved One, her newest Valentine offering and a reunion project that reflects where she is now, both as an artist and as a woman.

Curtis stars as Ellie, a character she describes as layered and unapologetically complex.

“She’s a bit of a Gemini,” Anne shared with a smile. “She can be exactly what Eric wants her to be—but what’s important is that he loves her even when she’s not that person, when she’s choosing to be who she really is.”

Rather than centering on grand romantic gestures, the film explores acceptance—how love survives when values clash, identities evolve and expectations are challenged. For Curtis, that journey felt deeply personal.

“It’s about choosing to love someone regardless of the decisions she makes, even when they don’t align with your values,” she said. “It’s that kind of love that grows.”

The project reunites Curtis with Jericho Rosales, her longtime screen partner from earlier chapters of their careers. But Curtis believes this story could only be told now.

“If we did this 18 years ago, hindi kami bagay for these roles,” she admitted. “Where we are in our lives now—this is the perfect timing. Parang kismet. Ang daming pinagdaanan ng script, pati kami.”

Her trust in the material was matched by her confidence in director Irene Emma Villamor, with whom she shares a creative shorthand. Curtis said she reached out to Villamor while searching for a story with more emotional depth.

“I told her I was looking for a more mature story—something about where love can really lead you,” Anne recalled. “That’s when she said she had a script ready.”

Reuniting with Rosales felt natural. “Working with Jericho has always been easy,” she said. “He’s generous, present, and grounded. Reuniting for this project just felt right.”

This time, Curtis brings a quieter strength to the screen—less about sparks, more about substance. The Loved One allows her to explore love not as fantasy, but as a conscious choice made again and again.

Produced by Viva Films and Cornerstone Studios, The Loved One opens in cinemas nationwide on 11 February. For Curtis, it is not just another romance, but a reflection of growth, womanhood and loving without losing oneself.