The film was produced and released by Star Cinema on February 1, 1995. Basta't Kasama Kita became a box office success and in the later years, the film was selected as one of the best romantic-comedy films in the last 25 years, according to a retrospective by CNN Philippines in 2017.[4]
The film was digitally restored and remastered by the ABS-CBN Film Archives and Central Digital Lab.
Synopsis
The film follows Marinella (Torres), a European royalty who longs for an independent life by plotting a royal visit to the Philippines and then to escape her security detail. In the Philippines she accidentally meets Alex (Muhlach), a jeepney driver who agrees to her flee to let her work as a housemaid in exchange for food and shelter; the two soon fall for each other, but Marinella's life as a royal threatens to pull them apart.[5]
Plot
The film begins with a banquet organized by the Department of Foreign Affairs for Princess Marinella of Bavaria (Dayanara Torres), she was invited as a speaker for the International Year of the Child. However, Ella hates living as a princess and wants an independent life.
Meanwhile, in the slums of Manila, Alex (Aga Muhlach), a hardworking jeepney driver, adopted half-brother Paolo (Paolo Contis) who is now an orphan after his mother died. Ella wanted to go around Manila but was barred by security men. She sought the help of her Aunt Belle (Megan Herrera). The following day, Ella disguised herself as Ms. Thompson, however, several barriers came until she finally left the hotel's premises. There she and Alex met and let her live in his house. Alex is a bad-tempered person and he would often scold Ella for some of her mistakes but he secretly falls in love with Ella. Ella also found out that Alex had a lonely childhood. According to Sare (Ruby Rodriguez), Alex's mother ran away and abandoned him and his father. This caused Alex to become mad especially to his half-brother Paolo because of what his mother did. But, he learned to forgive and change.
When King Carlos arrived because of Ella's disappearance, Alex's journalist friend Brix (Smokey Manaloto) learned about Ella's true identity and Ella left Alex and returned home. Ella was told by her father to forget Alex, bringing her to tears. Alex, Sare, and Paolo try to go to Ella, who is attending and presiding over the "International Year of the Child" summit. Paolo came to the scene and Ella decided to give up being a princess for Alex and they were reunited.
^"Rory Quintos joins rare breed of RP lady movie directors". Manila Standard. Standard Publications, Inc. November 11, 1995. p. 30. Retrieved September 6, 2023. She made her own auspicious debut as movie director with Basta't Kasama Kita, a smash-hit romance-drama which starred also Aga Muhlach with Dayanara Torres
^ ab"Director Cathy Garcia Molina does not want to work with big stars". Philippine Entertainment Portal (in Filipino). March 19, 2009. Retrieved August 3, 2017. Ang huli ko pong pagsasama kay Aga, yung Basta't Kasama Kita. AD [assistant director] po ako doon. First movie ni Direk Rory [Quintos], with Dayanara Torres. It was...mga 1995.
