Photo Credit : Star Cinema
A quietly powerful film about an unexpected connection between two people at different stages of life, a moving exploration of age, grief, and the courage to love again.
MANILA — Age, grief, and societal expectations collide in Only We Know, the newest film set to premiere in Philippine cinemas on June 11, 2025, and in U.S. theaters on June 13, 2025. The film stars two of the country’s most revered actors—Charo Santos-Concio and Dingdong Dantes—in a tender but unconventional story of love between people separated by decades and shaped by life’s emotional scars.
Directed and written by Irene Emma Villamor (Meet Me in St. Gallen, Sid & Aya), Only We Know tells the story of Betty, a 60-year-old retired English teacher, and Ryan, a widowed engineer in his 40s. As their connection deepens, they find themselves confronting not only personal grief but also a society that struggles to understand their bond.
From Concept to Cinema: A Seven-Year Journey
The film took nearly seven years to bring to life. Initially pitched in 2018, production faced multiple delays due to scheduling conflicts and the COVID-19 pandemic. But for Villamor, the long wait was worth it.
“This is not your usual romantic pairing,” Villamor said. “But the emotions are universal. It’s about connection, healing, and the courage to love again.”
A Love Story Without Labels
In a scene from the teaser trailer, a cashier assumes Betty is Ryan’s mother—an awkward but all-too-familiar moment for couples in May-December relationships. Ryan’s quick clarification becomes a turning point that reflects the central theme of the film: love defies age, stigma, and expectation.
“It’s a story of love without labels,” said Santos-Concio. “Betty isn’t searching for validation—she’s searching for meaning.”
For Dingdong Dantes, who portrays the emotionally bruised Ryan, the script offered something rare.
“This film asks audiences to rethink their assumptions about who gets to fall in love—and when,” he shared.
The film marks a major first for Santos-Concio, who has never headlined a romantic drama. The veteran actress, known for her dramatic gravitas and decades-long television career, embraced the role’s emotional demands with grace and vulnerability.
The movie features a powerhouse supporting cast that includes Shamaine Buencamino, Joel Saracho, Al Tantay, Max Collins, Soliman Cruz, Isabel Oli, Johnny Revilla, Rafa Siguion-Reyna, Yesh Burce, and Gil Cuerva. It is co-produced by Cornerstone Studios, AgostoDos Pictures, Star Cinema, and 7K Entertainment.
Following its Philippine premiere, Only We Know will debut in select U.S. theaters starting June 13, 2025. Screenings will be available through major chains like AMC Theatres and Fandango, with early listings confirming venues in the greater Los Angeles area, including Glendale.
Tickets are available on Atom Tickets, AMC, and Fandango. Audiences in North America can expect a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant story that challenges stereotypes around age-gap relationships and portrays mature love with sincerity and honesty.
Though fictional, the story is grounded in real emotional terrain—loss, loneliness, rediscovery.
“People tend to judge quickly,” Santos-Concio said. “But love—true love—always finds a way to make itself understood.”
Marian Rivera, Dantes’ wife, has publicly expressed her support for the film and its story, praising its depth and message.
“She’s my biggest cheerleader,” Dantes added.
Only We Know is poised to become one of 2025’s most talked-about Filipino films—not because of spectacle or fantasy, but because of its quiet, fearless honesty. For all who have loved beyond what was considered “acceptable,” it offers validation. For those who haven’t, it offers understanding.
