Sarah on John Lloyd: 'I'm happy to see him happy'

MANILA -- John Lloyd Cruz and Sarah Geronimo have managed to rekindle their friendship despite a prolonged break from shooting their romantic-comedy film series.

"It's a joy, kasi ang tagal na since we last worked together," Geronimo told reporters shortly after the 25th Awit Awards ceremony held Tuesday night.

"Masaya ako na nanumbalik 'yung friendship namin, 'yung magandang working relationship namin, better talaga. Masaya kami sa set," the actres-singer added.

After being delayed a number of times since it was first announced in mid-2011, the film with the working title "It Takes a Man and a Woman" is now slated for release on Valentine's Day, according Viva Entertainment head Vic del Rosario.

Originally slated for release in July this year, the third installment in the Cathy Garcia-Molina-directed film franchise only managed to resume filming in September.

With her first team-up with Cruz in "A Very Special Love" (2008) drawing loyal fans -- their organized clubs dub themselves "AshLloyds" (Asher is Geronimo's second name) -- Geronimo hopes "It Takes a Man and a Woman" will be able to replicate the success of the first two films in terms of "kilig" and box-office performance.

"Syempre 'yun 'yung goal namin, na maibalik 'yung kilig, 'yung kilig na naramdaman nila doon sa first movie palang, sana bumalik 'yun. At sana 'yung love story meron kaming maibigay na lesson sa kanila," the singer said.

In February, Cruz and Geronimo detailed some aspects of the film, saying that it will be set three years after the second entry in the series.

“Sa bawat relationship naman, laging may changes ‘di ba? Ito may time lapse so makikita natin kung ano ang pagbabago kay Laida at sa relationship nila,” Geronimo said at the time.

On Tuesday, the singer also said they feel pressured to live up to the box-office success of the first two films, which are among the Top 10 highest-grossing Filipino films of all time.

"Double 'yung pressure, kasi ito 'yung last installment namin para sa mga pelikulang ginawa namin ni John Lloyd, so talagang pinagtatrabahuhan nang mabuti, pinapaganda 'yung script, para sa viewers natin," Geronimo said.

Since they last worked together in "You Changed My Life" (2009), which sparked rumors linking them romantically, Geronimo and Cruz have had their respective real-life "love teams."

For a time, the Pop Star Princess was rumored to have a blooming romance with actor Gerald Anderson.

Cruz, on the other hand, is now in a relationship with actress Angelica Panganiban following his break-up with actress Shaina Magdayao.

"I'm happy to see him happy," Geronimo said of her leading man.