ABS-CBN’s Star Cinema and GMA Pictures have announced a collaboration for the sequel of the hit film Hello, Love, Goodbye. The two production companies confirmed the partnership on May 19, marking a significant milestone in Philippine cinema.

The sequel, titled Hello, Love, Again, will be set five years after Joy (Kathryn Bernardo) said her goodbyes to Ethan (Alden Richards) and left Hong Kong to pursue her dreams in Canada. This film will explore the paths they have taken since their parting and the possibility of their reunion.

This will be the first collaboration on a film between ABS-CBN’s film production Star Cinema and GMA Network’s film production company GMA Pictures. The partnership aims to build on the success of the original film while delivering a fresh and compelling continuation of Joy and Ethan’s story.

Hello, Love, Again is scheduled for release on November 13 in the Philippines, with international releases to follow. Fans worldwide are eagerly anticipating the return of Kapamilya actress Kathryn Bernardo and Kapuso actor Alden Richards as Joy and Ethan, respectively.

The original film, Hello, Love, Goodbye, directed by Cathy Garcia-Sampana, was released in theaters in 2019. It became the highest-grossing Filipino film of all time until it was surpassed by Rewind in January 2024

The film captivated audiences with its heartfelt portrayal of Joy, a domestic helper in Hong Kong, and Ethan, a bartender, whose lives intertwined in a love story. The film ended with Joy pursuing a career in medicine in Canada, while Ethan opened his own business, leaving viewers wondering about the future of their relationship.

Hello, Love, Goodbye achieved milestones including grossing over P880 million worldwide. It also received critical acclaim for its storytelling, direction, and performances, earning numerous awards from prestigious bodies such as the Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences (FAMAS) and the Gawad Urian.

The film also sparked important conversations about the experiences of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), resonating deeply with audiences both in the Philippines and abroad.

Speculations about a sequel began in early April when Garcia-Sampana posted a video of herself at the Hong Kong International Airport, hinting at a return to the story's roots. Now, with the official announcement of Hello, Love, Again, fans are eagerly awaiting to see how Joy and Ethan's journey will unfold.

— By Samantha Prats