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Will she say yes? Fyang Smith reveals JM Ibarra's romantic pursuit
Will she say yes? Fyang Smith reveals JM Ibarra's romantic pursuit
Actress Fyang Smith confirmed that her fellow actor JM Ibarra is courting her, while noting that the two continue to share a close friendship.
"Tungkol sa aming relationship, nililigawan niya po ako. Nanliligaw pa rin siya sa akin hanggang ngayon" (Regarding our relationship, he is courting me. He is still courting me up to now), said Fyang when asked about the status of their relationship during the media conference of their upcoming movie "Almost Us," held at Valencia Events Place in Quezon City on April 12.
When asked why she hadn't said yes, Fyang said, "Masyado pong mabilis. Hindi maganda kung mamadaliin namin ang isang bagay na hindi naman kailangang mamadaliin. Ang focus namin ngayon ay ang career namin" (It's too fast. It wouldn't be good to rush something that doesn't need to be rushed. Our focus right now is our careers).
JM was asked to comment on Fyang's preceding statement. "Totoo naman yung narinig ninyo. Since then, naman, naging vocal ako sa part na 'yun (What you heard is true. Since then, I have been vocal about that part).
Director Dan Villegas expressed his excitement about collaborating with JM, having first noticed the actor’s talent in a Cinemalaya film.
"He truly impressed me, which made me eager to work with him. That same night, I looked into their loveteam. I’m grateful for the generosity of Keith and Roselle Monteverde — everything just came together," he said.
Roselle admired Fyang, whom she saw as a younger version of Maricel Soriano.
"Almost Us" is a joint production by Regal Entertainment and Project 8 Projects, reuniting director Dan with filmmaker and producer Antoinette Jadaone — a creative duo behind some of the most cherished Filipino romance films of recent years.
At its heart, the film tells the story of two young people caught between friendship and love, grappling with the messy, complicated feelings that come with a relationship that hovers just short of forever.
Woven with moments of vulnerability, quiet humor, and aching longing, "Almost Us" captures the bittersweet truth that some connections leave a lasting mark — even those that don’t endure.
His nuanced storytelling and emotionally resonant films, such as English Only, Please, The Breakup Playlist, and Walang Forever, bring his signature touch to the project, guiding Ibarra and Smith in their first big-screen outing together.
JM turns in a sincere, layered performance that underscores his evolution as an actor. “This film is very close to my heart because it shows a kind of love that isn’t perfect,” JM shares. “It’s messy, it’s real, and it’s something a lot of people will see themselves in.”
Fyang captivates with her natural warmth and emotional depth, bringing a disarming honesty to her role. “What I love about Almost Us is how honest it is,” she says. “It doesn’t try to force a fairytale. It shows how love can be right, but the timing can still be wrong—and that’s something many of us go through.”
The two first caught the public eye as housemates on Pinoy Big Brother, where their undeniable on-screen chemistry quickly drew a passionate and loyal fan base.
“Almost Us” is set for a nationwide theatrical release on May 6.