With the GMA Gala 2024 happening in just a few weeks’ time, show biz observers have started to wonder: Will Alden Richards go solo like he did last year, or will he finally have someone by his side this time around.

And with shooting under way for “Hello, Love, Again”—the long-awaited sequel to Alden and Kathryn Bernardo’s hit romantic drama, “Hello, Love, Goodbye”—many fans are keeping their fingers crossed that they will get to see the two actors walk the red carpet together.

At a recent press conference for Sparkle GMA Artist Center’s upcoming world tour, the Inquirer asked the Kapuso star if he already has a date for the said event. “I will keep you posted po … don’t worry,” he said, closing his eyes and letting out a bashful smile amid giddy murmurs.

In an ambush interview after the Q&A session, an entertainment writer—alluding to previous romance rumors—teased Alden that things between him and Kathryn seemed to have “changed not only on camera, but also off it.”

“Naku po!” he blurted out loud and laughed. “Pero mag-a-update na lang po ako ’pag ready na,” he added while being whisked away by his minders.

While he remained tight-lipped about such topics, he answered questions about reprising his role as Ethan, the easygoing bartender who falls in love with hardworking domestic helper Joy (Kathryn) in Hong Kong.

“I have realized that Ethan didn’t really leave me, so it was easy for me to get right back in. Of course, it also helped that we were able to shoot scenes in some of the old locations we used for ‘Hello, Love, Goodbye,’” Alden said of the 2019 movie, which held the title of highest-grossing Filipino film until 2023.

Memory lane

His recent return with coactors Joross Gamboa and Jeffrey Tam to Hong Kong had him going down memory lane.

“Walking the streets of Hong Kong was nostalgic. We returned to some of the previous locations like Victoria Harbour. It was great to see that nothing much has changed,” he related. “It was fun shooting there again.”

Directed by Cathy Garcia-Sampana and written by Carmi Raymundo and Crystal San Miguel, “Hello, Love, Again” happens five years after the events in “Hello, Love, Goodbye,” with Joy now working and living in Canada with her family.

“The dedication and passion for this film is different. Everyone is hands-on and we’re very excited to shoot in Canada, the setting for a big chunk of the movie,” he said. “We have overseas Filipino workers (OFW) in different countries. And they have different stories, hardships. But they also share things in common. We hope to show those.”

Giving back

Before flying to Canada this month, Alden said he and Kathryn will go on a “session” with Direk Cathy “just to put us back in the mood again. That was how we worked together during ‘Hello, Love, Goodbye.’”

It’s only fitting that he gives cheer to Filipinos abroad while doing a film about Filipinos abroad. The 32-year-old actor is set to take a few days off to perform for fans in the United States on Aug. 9 and Aug. 10 and Canada on Aug. 11 and Aug. 17.

“I will sing and dance … It will be fun for sure,” said Alden, who makes sure to get up close and interact with his fans as much as he can.

“We’re often advised not to go down to the crowd, but I don’t usually follow that. Opportunities like these are rare. I don’t want to deprive them of small gestures like taking a photo with them, greeting them, holding their hands. Hindi kawalan sa ’min ’yun as entertainers. We owe it to them. If it weren’t for them, we wouldn’t be here … They’re a big part of the journey,” he said.

Alden Richards —ALDEN RICHARDS/FACEBOOK

For him, making the fans feel special and loved is his little way of “giving back.” He has a soft spot for OFWs, especially after playing one onscreen, he pointed out.

“We should really consider them as heroes because of the sacrifices they make. They go far away to earn a living, to sustain their families in the Philippines. Portraying a role of an OFW is meaningful because I can relate to them better, and I know how I can be of service to them as an entertainer,” he said.

Fulfilling job

It has been a busy year so far for Alden, who’s also set to star in GMA 7’s upcoming historical series “Pulang Araw.” How does he juggle all these projects that are happening within the same time frame?

“Nagugulat din ako. But I think I have grown in the industry doing these things, which I love. I have learned a lot. Pagod … that’s part of it physically, [but] itulog mo lang ’yan. At the end of the day, what I do is fulfilling,” he said. “It’s not about what you do; it’s how you see it. What’s your purpose? That’s what I hold on to,” he said. INQ