By Jennifer T. Santos, Entertainment Editor

Yes, Maria Clara, the Philippines now has a film grossing over P1 billion.

That’s Kathryn Bernardo and Alden Richards’ sequel movie, “Hello, Love, Again,” a joint production of erstwhile rival networks ABS-CBN and GMA Network and their cinema subsidiaries.

At press time, the movie’s producers reported that the Kathryn-Alden starrer crossed its box office sales worldwide of P1.06 billion as of November 23, making it the highest grossing Filipino film of all time.

And the thankful stars and producers of the film are confident that the film will continue to earn more as it premiered and virtually mobbed by fans in Canada with the stars and director in attendance.

 “Thank you for the love and we love you a billion more,” Star Cinema and GMA Pictures said on social media. 

“Hello, Love, Again” is the first-ever film collaboration of GMA-7’s GMA Pictures and ABS-CBN’s Star Cinema. 

In a video statement, Alden and Kathryn thanked their fans and fellow Filipinos for supporting their blockbuster film, which is now the Philippines’s highest-grossing film.

“We love you a billion times,” Alden said. “Hindi namin in-expect na aabot ng ganito ‘yung gross income ng ‘Hello, Love, Again’ globally.”

“No words can say how grateful we are, maraming maraming salamat po,” he added.

Kathryn agreed with Alden, saying she has “no words” to fully encapsulate her gratitude for the success of the “Hello, Love, Goodbye” sequel.

“Thank you sa lahat ng mga sumusuporta sa movie, sa lahat ng mga kababayan natin,” she said. “Grabe, parte kayo nito.”

“Thank you for making this happen. Thank you for making this possible. Congratulations to us,” she added.

In crossing P1 billion, the movie surpassed the gross of “Rewind,” which earned a total P924 million during its theatrical run. “Rewind,” which is now available on Netflix, is an offical Metro Manila Film Festival entry in 2023 and stars real-life couple Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera. 

The producers said “Hello, Love, Again” continues to make waves around the world  as GMA Pictures and Star Cinema released the film’s peak global box office rankings.

“Hello, Love, Again” peaked at no. 1 not just in the Philippines, but also in the United Arab Emirates and hit no. 2 in Canada, New Zealand, Qatar, and Bahrain, the producers said.

In Oman, it peaked at no. 3, and in Australia and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, it peaked at no. 4. As for the USA, the movie peaked at no. 8.

Before flying to Canada,  stars Alden Richards and Kathryn Bernardo graced the red carpet of the Asian World Film Festival in Culver Citym California, where the Kathryn was named Snow Leopard Rising Star during the Closing Night Awards Gala held at the Culver Theater.

Later, the movie was shown in Carson City.

“Hello, Love, Again” premiered in Philippine cinemas on November 13 and is now showing in 1,100 cinemas worldwide.