A DECADE after they top billed their first teleserye together, Kim Chiu and Gerald Anderson's undeniable onscreen chemistry is still there.
Chiu and Anderson, famously known together as Kimerald, were all smiles on Monday evening when they faced the entertainment media for the grand press launch of their newest series "Ikaw Lang Ang Iibigin".
Both actors looked comfortable to each other even though it took them some time to work again in one project.
"Wala ng wall. Kung meron man, siguro hindi namin ito gagawin. Hindi din magiging maganda yung produkto namin," said the Cebuana actress.
Anderson said that it's like 2007 all over again when they headlined "Sana Maulit Muli," their first teleserye on ABS-CBN. But this time, he said, they've both matured as actors.
“Ang dami na naming napagdaanan at natutunan on a personal and professional level,” he said.
The two admitted that there were awkward moments when they started taping for the project, but they were able to overcome it.
"Una awkward talaga kasi hindi naman kami super friends nito. 'Hi, hello' lang naman talaga kami sa 'ASAP'. Medyo awkward din sa mga tao sa harap namin, lalo nung una kasi alam naman nila yung nangyari sa amin at yung mga hindi kagandahang ganap. Pero okay na ngayon,” Chiu said.
Anderson also admitted that when they were paired with other actors in the industry, he knew deep inside that it's only a matter of time before he'll work again with Chiu.
He said that with their loyal following, the fans deserve another Kimerald project.
"Ang tagal na din namin na hindi nagsama. At the end of the day, alam ko na it's inevitable na magkakasama ulit kami. Maraming sumuporta sa amin para hindi pagbigyan yung fans. They really deserve it."
In "Ikaw Lang Ang Iibigin," they play Bianca (Chiu) and Gabriel (Anderson), two childhood friends who are both determined to give their families a bright future. They both aspire to become a triathlete and will eventually fall in love with each other.
However, they will part ways when Bianca had no choice but to leave the province to save her father's life from illness.
They will take on different journeys but will eventually cross paths again through the sport.
The story of “Ikaw Lang Ang Iibigin” somehow mirrors their reunion on boob tube – former lovers who eventually find their way to each other.
Anderson said nothing has really changed in Chiu as she remains the dedicated and hardworking teen he met inside the Pinoy Big Brother house.
"Parang ganun pa rin siya in a good way. Ang tagal na naming hindi nagsasama sa trabaho, pero ang nakakatuwa, kahit na anong nangyari, ano ang narating niya, ganun parin siya."
Anderson said he's grateful for the opportunity to work again with his original leading lady.
"Yung simula ng career ko at kung saan man ako ngayon, si Kim yung kasama ko. I'm taking this opportunity as a gift from God na makasama siya ulit. Masaya ako and priviledged. Paglabas ko ng PBB house, she was right there by my side. Love team and team work talaga. Kungbaga sa isang bahay, si Kim yung foundation ng bahay na yan."
Chiu jokingly said she's not the foundation of his career but among the "walls" of it.
"Ako ay pader, pader lang pero siyempre ikaw parin yung foundation. Sa pader lang ako," she said.
But kidding aside, the actress said they’ve grown so much as actors and individuals that they were able to set aside their differences and work harmoniously.
“Mas mature kami ngayon, mas alam na namin yung ginagawa namin. Natuto na kami, professional kami and I am very happy na yung mga bagay na yun ay nangyari dati pa, nung mga bata pa kami. Refreshing na, ‘Uy, ikaw ulit”, she said.
Chiu and Anderson hope their new teleserye will also get the same support just like their previous projects.
“Ikaw Lang Ang Iibigin” will premiere May 1 before “It’s Showtime” on ABS-CBN. (VoxPop Philippines)
