Khalil Ramos and Gabbi Garcia have been together for five years now.
The "secret" to the success of their relationship?
It's based on pure friendship.
During a recent online press conference for their upcoming TV series "Love You Stranger," the two stars shared that more than anything they consider themselves each other's best friends first and foremost.
"Like super tropa," Gabbi said, noting how instead of romantic dates they would just usually "hang out."
Apparently, they just like doing things together.
"Falling in love with your best friend, yun ang secret," added Khalil.
Meanwhile, asked how it feels to share the small screen anew, the two admitted to feeling a bit of "pressure," though they simply used it as motivation to do well.
Recall that in a previous interview, Gabbi and Khalil revealed their decision to separate their personal affair from work. The former explained this is mainly due to fear that working together would spoil their relationship.
Their stance changed following fan clamor.
It has been some time since the two first worked together on the film "LSS."
So how was it working on "Love You Stranger?"
"Medyo kabisado na namin ang isa't-isa when it comes to work ethics or dynamics," said Gabbi. "For this one, it's a very heavy script, very heavy story. So na-test talaga yung pagtutulungan namin not just as partners but as fellow actors, as partner-on-screen."
Gabbi admitted that if it weren't for Khalil, the whole thing would be harder for her.
"Khalil helped me a lot when it comes to developing my character, developing our partnership on cam and, yun, mas dun kami nag-focus - sa pagtutulungan as actors."
More than anything, Gabbi is excited for fans to see the fruit of their labors, pointing out the story is "complex," "very unique," and "very different."
"Iba-iba ang genre sa isang series," was how she put it.
In "Love You Stranger," which begins airing June 6, the two will try to unravel the mystery surrounding the legend of the "Lilom," a creature said to steal souls.
In it, Gabbi is LJ, a young film designer who dedicates her life taking care of her mother, Lorraine, who has an unexplained fear of shadows and aversion to strangers.
As LJ desperately seeks ways to help Lorraine get better, she lands a major movie project that could bring her closer to understanding her mother: a film based on the Lilom folklore itself.
The film is helmed by a charming young director named Ben (Khalil) and is set in the town of Sta. Castela, LJ and Lorraine's hometown.
Ben is intrigued by LJ, who seems to understand the film—and the legend on which it centers—almost as much as he does.
LJ keeps her past in Sta. Castela secret to protect her mother. Little does she know that like her, Ben has his secrets, too.
Gabbi declared that so far, among all the projects she did with GMA, "Love You Stranger" is her favorite.
She is actually happy that the show was delayed more than one year due to the pandemic, as it allowed her to prepare for her character.
"It's my most mature role so far," she teased.
Note that Gabbi and Khalil were both creatively involved in the show.
As for the core of the story, Khalil reiterated it's really about "family and different types of love."
"Yun ang message."
Gabbi, on the other hand, feels it's also finding one's purpose in this "crazy world."
"And also believing in yourself, especially for my character. Talagang it's finding your purpose and just doing what's right, choosing the right decision."
Also joining the cast of "Love You Stranger" are Gil Cuerva, Andrea Del Rosario, Carmi Martin, Tonton Gutierrez, Lexi Gonzales, Kim De Leon, Maey Bautista, Angelli Sanoy, Alex Medina, Nor Domingo, Ces Quesada, Lui Manansala, Bodjie Pascua, Soliman Cruz, and Dindo Arroyo.