Kobie Brown, Andi Abaya at their ‘happiest’ when together

MANILA, Philippines — Onscreen partners Kobie Brown and Andi Abaya opened up about career challenges, their most enjoyable and most painful moments in life during a recent virtual media conference for their Love Bites episode Miss Astrologer.

Part of the “made for YouTube” offerings and produced by RCD Narratives, Love Bites streams every Friday night at 8 on ABS-CBN Entertainment’s YouTube channel.

Having a “strong immune system” is a must for actors considering the nature of their job, which requires long hours of taping, said Andi about the challenges of being a relative newcomer in the industry. “When you are given a bunch of workload, late ka natatapos sa taping, mabilis bumaba yung resistensiya mo and mabilis kang magkakasakit. And ‘pag nagkakasakit ka, marami ka ring opportunities na mami-miss.”

“So, you really have to keep yourself healthy, physically and mentally also. And the pressure that comes along, being in this industry, you just have to, you know, believe in yourself, remind yourself of why you are here in the first place, and not let other people’s opinion or judgment get in the way of your drive and passion, and being an artist,” the newbie actress added.

That’s why when Andi got sick and missed the premiere night of her movie with Kobie, Connected, she was really “devastated.” She got emotional while narrating the incident, “My love for my career is extreme… There was an unforeseen circumstance and it was our first lead role for the movie Connected. There was a Red Carpet, everything was prepared already, but then, few days before the event itself, dun ako nagkasakit.”

“And of course, it’s my responsibility to stay at home para hindi rin mahawa yung ibang tao. And siguro na-traumatize ako nun kasi I don’t want it to happen again. I don’t wanna miss a milestone in my life because I got sick. That’s why I’m really cautious na sa health ko ngayon,” she shared.

On the other hand, Filipino-British actor Kobie is really trying his best to learn Tagalog. He hopes that he will be given more roles that require him to speak the local language.

The saddest moment he experienced recently was when his grandmother passed on. He shared, “I felt really bad because I can’t be there because she lives in the United Kingdom. It was very hard for me. I always wear this necklace because this is the necklace she gave me when I was younger.”

“She was a very close person in my life. Sometimes I just wish that we got to spend more time together, especially ‘coz I live here in Philippines. I wish I got to like see her after Pinoy Big Brother (PBB), but that chance was never given to me. But yeah, I know now she is in a better place already. She’s always in my heart. I’m always wearing her right here (around) my neck,” he furthered.

Nevertheless, the Kapamilya love team considered spending time with each other as their “most enjoyable moment.”

“There’s so many great memories that I’ve made with Andi,” gushed Kobie. “Especially like kasi sa una po I never thought we would be close in PBB, but you know our friendship gradually started, (we) became closer and closer, and now na dito na kami sa labas ng bahay, we’ve gone to know each other even more. I just love being with her. Kahit in taping, even if we’re not doing taping, if we have no work, I’m just always… I just love being around her. (I’m at) my happiest.”

Andi felt the same way and added that she enjoys every moment that she is with her family as well. Andi and her family went out to watch a movie and had dinner, with Kobie, after two years of not going out due to the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns. “These are the types of like moments that I really cherish,” she declared.

Meanwhile, in Love Bites’ Miss Astrologer, Andi plays Aisha Kristine, a.k.a. Miss Krissy, “a millennial astrologer who conducts love readings in hopes to help people gain insight into their situation or love problems.”

When asked if they believed in zodiac signs, Andi replied, “Not really but I believe in Chinese readings. My mom, she’s Chinese…but at the same time, I would still write my own destiny.”

Kobie is “not 100 percent sure” about it, but he would read and watch tarot reading on YouTube occasionally.

Love Bites is helmed by Kevin Alambra and Dado Lumibao.