Several stars graced the world premiere of Star Cinema’s newest family drama Meet, Greet & Bye held on Tuesday, November 11, at SM Megamall Cinema 3.
Among those spotted at the red carpet event were Vice Ganda, celebrity couple Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera, Maja Salvador, Maris Racal, Kyle Echarri, Donny Pangilinan, Robi Domingo, Reign Parani, Michael Sager, and BGYO members Gelo and JL.
Celebrities later took to social media to share their heartfelt reactions after watching the touching story of the Facundo family, portrayed by Joshua Garcia, Belle Mariano, Juan Karlos, award-winning actor Piolo Pascual, and Diamond Star Maricel Soriano.
Actress-comedienne Alora Sasam shared on Instagram her “before and after watching” experience, saying the movie moved her to tears.
“Yung pelikulang kailangan mo siyang iiyak kasi masakit sa lalamunan kapag nagpigil ka😭😭 Humikbi na ako sa balikat ng katabi kong hot momma Maja nung umiyak na si Ms. Maricel. Sana walang uhog ko ang jacket niya hahaha Haaaayy… Sa sobrang relatable ng linyahan, ang sakit sa puso. Kapag talaga usapang pamilya, tiklop tayo. Another movie from @starcinema na siguradong worth it po sa pera, pila at oras natin sa sinehan. Ginalingan ng buong cast and team👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 Congratulations po! maraming salamat sa pelikulang ito. Another reminder na konti lang ang oras natin sa mundo, spend it with our loved ones❤️ #MeetGreetAndBye,” Alora wrote.
Maja Salvador, who attended the event with her husband Rambo Nuñez, also praised the film in an interview with Star Cinema.
“Pinipigilan ko yung iyak ko pero kahit anong pigil ko lumalabas talaga. Iba ang Star Cinema magbigay ng ganitong pelikula basta tungkol sa pamilya, natutusok talaga nila, nahi-hit yung spot. Grabe yung chemistry nilang family. Ang maganda bawat anak may kanya kanyang moment and ganoon sa family, ang pamilya hindi perfect,” Maja said.
P-pop group WRIVE also expressed how the film resonated with them.
“The film really highlighted the importance of family and being there for each other. We don't know how much time each person has in the world, but we can spend that time full of love, compassion, and laughter,” WRIVE member Ishiro said.
WRIVE Asi then expressed: “apaka lupet nyo po magpaiyak.”
Former Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition housemates River Joseph and Emilio Daez agreed that Meet, Greet & Bye is a certified tearjerker.
“Talagang nakakaiyak. Grabe talaga!” Emilio expressed.
Actress and Piolo Pascual’s former assistant Moi Bien also gushed over Joshua Garcia’s performance.
“Yung iniyak ko talaga grabe! Yung mata ko pulang-pula. Si JK yung pambasag ng lahat kaya iyak tawa kami sa loob. Ang dami kong tissue na naubos kaya congratulations and mahal ko na si Joshua!! Second na lang siya (Piolo)! Si Joshua mahal ko na talaga!” Moi said.
Dingdong Dantes, who starred in previous Star Cinema family film Seven Sundays, commended the movie for its heartfelt message.
“I love the film! Parang gusto ko umuwi para yakapin yung mga kapatid ko lalong lalo na yung nanay ko. Thank you sa Star Cinema for creating another beautiful family film again,” he said.
Meanwhile, award-winning filmmaker Antoinette Jadaone also praised director Cathy Garcia-Sampana.
“Itong Meet, Greet & Bye, ay isang patunay na Direk Cathy is really a master of mounting the Filipino drama. Nakita ko iyong pagkakaiba nito sa ibang family drama na nagawa niya. Yung confrontation na inaabangan, iba siya doon sa confrontation sa other films na nagawa na,” she said.
It’s Showtime host Vhong Navarro likewise congratulated the team through his Instagram story, saying: “Inaano ba kayo @starcinema @cathygarciasampana bakit kayo nagpapaiyak? Congratulations sa lahat ng bumubuo ng Meet, Greet & Bye! Ang huhusay!”
Meet, Greet & Bye began its worldwide screenings on November 12 in 510 cinemas across Australia, New Zealand, UAE, Qatar, Oman, and Bahrain. It is set to open in the US, Canada, and Guam on November 14; the UK, Ireland, and Austria on November 15; Italy and France on November 16; Greece on November 22; and Spain on November 23. Screenings in Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, Brunei, Papua New Guinea, and Cambodia will follow throughout November and December.
According to Star Cinema, the film grossed ₱10.5 million on its first day.