Barbie and David grant collective wish of FiLay fans  

MANILA, Philippines — The onscreen partnership of Barbie Forteza and David Licauco continues in the month-long Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko-episode titled Lady and Luke, whose premiere is tonight at 6 after 24 Oras Weekend. It’s a quick nse to the collective wish from fans, who want to see more of the tandem after the conclusion of Maria Clara at Ibarra (MCAI). However, Barbie and David play “modern-day” roles as property manager and in-house contractor, respectively.

Becoming Lady and Luke for four consecutive Sundays is a new beginning for Barbie and David’s tandem.

“It’s very unexpected,” answered Barbie when The STAR asked for her and David’s thoughts on the viewers’ reception to their love team as characters Klay and Fidel, with the uniname FiLay, in the hit historical portal-fantasy series, during a recent virtual media conference.

“Sabi ko nga, what happened to David and I is, parang (it seems like) serendipity, (a) fortunate accident. Hindi naman talaga pinlano, pero ang magical lang nung nangyari dahil parehas naming hindi inaasahan (It was something that was never planned, what happened was magical because we both never expected how the tandem would be received), and yet it became successful without even trying actually.”

The Sparkle GMA Artist Center actress was delighted by the thought that “at this point of my career, mababalik pa pala ako sa loveteam (I could still be part of a loveteam), why not? Let’s go.”

David agreed with his leading lady by saying, “Given our age, we could still do (and make a good) love team and you know I have been seeing polls about love teams or the Love Team of the Year and ours (is on the list with those team-ups by) teenagers, the young stars, na parang nakakatuwa rin at nakakagulat na pwede pa pala kaming mag-venture into a loveteam.”

Because of their engaging portrayals and natural, undeniable onscreen chemistry, Barbie and David are touted as a Breakout Love Team.

“I also wanna give credit to Maria Clara at Ibarra, kung wala yun, wala rin ‘to (without the show, there wouldn’t be this pairing),” said the actor, who also acknowledged the hard work of the people, like director Zig Dulay and the writers, behind the show.

As you and I know, Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko’s Lady and Luke is Barbie and David’s follow-up project to MCAI.

“Actually, nakakatuwa dahil favorite ko po talaga ang Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko dahil, parang kung hindi ako nagkakamali kada matatapos ang isang drama soap ko, bumabalik talaga ako sa Daig (The show is my favorite because if I’m not mistaken, every time my drama soap ends, I return to Daig),” shared she. “Nakakatuwa kasi talaga even the team behind it is very chill to be with, I’m very comfortable working with them. Nakakatuwa lang (It’s nice to think) that I have Daig after doing a show.”

Barbie has graced the show many times and even played a superhero named, yes, Captain Barbie. She belongs to that circle of actors who can do a wide range of genres.

“I get (opportunities) to do heavy drama (like guesting in) Magpakailanman, I can also do Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko, kaya kong bumalik sa pagiging-bagets, ganyan, lalo pa ‘to, a love team, FiLay (and venturing again into love team). Nakakatuwa lang kasi ang dami kong nagagawa, nabibigyan ako ng chance na mag-explore (I’m happy that I can do a lot and I have the chance to explore),” said Barbie.

David, on the other hand, had his debut in the weekly series and shared that “the experience was great.” “Everybody was nice, there was a lot of food during the shoot,” recalled the actor. “The script was very chill, the lines were short kaya chill lang, relax lang, I had a fun experience.”

Regarding the MCAI finale scene, where the physician Klay followed the lead of a firefly, finally met the still dapper gentleman Fidel, and they assured each other of no more goodbyes, Barbie and David had the chance to give their two cents’ worth about it, which some viewers find “bitin” or open for more than a single interpretation.

“Feeling ko (I have a feeling) that initially that was the purpose, to make the audience feel bitin, for the audience to want more initially,” said she, “now na na-re-realize ko parang in a way it’s a good ending because it’s open for possibilities, how the relationship of Fidel and Klay will turn out or (where it will) go after the two novels, parang kayo na ang bahalang mag-dugtong ng storya (It’s up to the viewers to continue the characters’ story).”

With that kind of ending, David said, “Maybe we could do another one, I don’t know. But I think, as a fan, kunwari ako yung nanonood nun, I’m also a fan of my own love team, FiLay, and perhaps I would want Fidel to get out and see the real world. That would be fun to watch and fun to act kasi… ang cute nun that someone from the olden times had the chance to go out (and live in the present) and use a cell phone… I was looking forward to that.”

But the tales of true love and romance live on in the characters of Lady and Luke, as portrayed by Barbie and David.