Barbie, David experience ‘more intense’ romance in latest GMA teamup

MANILA, Philippines — The breakout and well-loved tandem of Barbie Forteza and David Licauco headlines the TV adaptation-reimagined version of Maging Sino Ka Man. Barbie and David, also known as BarDa,  breathe life into the iconic characters of Monique and Carding, originally played by Megastar Sharon Cuneta and Sen. Robin Padilla.

It’s the follow-up project of GMA Primetime Princess and Pambansang Ginoo, after their successful onscreen partnership in the hit series Maria Clara at Ibarra. Their teamup, however, commenced in Heartful Café and continued on in Mano Po Legacy: The Family Fortune.

Thus far, their chemistry as creative collaborators has been put to the test in such genres as romantic-comedy, family drama and historical portal, fantasy.

This time around and beginning tonight at 8, BarDa is foraying into drama romance with a dash of action.

The show’s recent press conference, graced by its cast and crew with Barbie, David and director Enzo Williams, revealed that while the Sparkle GMA Artist Center actors were winning the audiences’ hearts as Maria Clara-Klay and Fidel, the idea of giving the tandem another project came about. Maging Sino Ka Man was it.

“I did. I intentionally watched the original movie,” said Barbie about her preparations as Monique in the said interview with the press. “The good thing is, the full movie is available on YouTube. After watching its entirety, I got more excited to do it, and now I understand why the movie (has become) iconic (and remains one) until today.”

As for David, he studied his character’s manner of speaking, aside from making himself physically fit to do action sequences. He watched the 1991 movie several times.

“As you go through the movie, mabilis magsalita si Carding, matigas, and as you can hear me now, medyo mabagal talaga akong magsalita,” said David. “So, I think that’s more challenging for me. With the help of my directors, hopefully, I’ve done justice to playing the character.”

“Siyempre, tuwang-tuwa, (David and I were elated),” answered Barbie when asked about her and David’s reaction to the lined-up project, following their stint in the historical portal-fantasy series. “I’ve just learned now that while Maria Clara at Ibarra was airing, our bosses took notice of us as a tandem and they were already thinking of a follow-up project for us.”

And that was music to BarDa’s ears, if one may say.

“For us, as artists, that was very fulfilling,” said she. “In return, we would do our best.”

David felt blessed and grateful for the acting opportunity and another manna from showbiz heaven.

“I didn’t expect it (to come along) and even me becoming an actor,” said he, who considered playing basketball or doing business as a profession before entering show business. “To be in this position is such an honor. I just wanna say, ‘Thank you to GMA and to the writers (behind it).’ I’m extremely happy and thank you.”

When it comes to BarDa’s working relationship and onscreen chemistry, David had this to say: “I think it’s only getting better because of familiarity, mas matagal, mas nagiging close, mas nagiging familiar kayo sa work style.”

Barbie added “I think we (as our characters) have leveled up from the aso’t pusa (the dog-and-cat tension and attraction in Maria Clara at Ibarra) to a bit leon at tigre (lion and tiger in Maging Sino Ka Man), papunta na kami dun.”

“In terms of chemistry, like what I would always say, let’s say in Maria Clara at Ibarra, hindi namin tinrabaho yung chemistry (we never worked on it) parang thankfully, fortunately, it naturally came out from the both of us,” she continued on. “I feel like the comfortability we have for each other while working together transcends onscreen, feeling ko yun din lang talaga yun.”

Barbie also shared that in Maging Sino Ka Man, she and David are helping each other to improve their characterizations to show the stark contrast of their roles as compared to the ones from the previous project.

Regarding expectations that come with the territory of doing a TV adaptation and keeping the audience engaged, Barbie is well aware of them.

“Hindi po siguro mawawala yan,” said Barbie, implying that dealing with expectations is part of an actor’s work. “So, I think we should just take them as a good challenge.”

As everyone knows, Klay and Fidel inhabit a conservative realm, while Monique and Carding live in a modern world. So, Barbie and David’s characters in Maging Sino Ka Man will be more expressive of their romantic feelings.

“I think even the romance, mas ma-i-intensify,” said she. “Nilagyan namin ng layers, nilagyan namin ng character backgrounds para mas kapitan ng audience (we’ve added layers to the characters to keep the audience more engaged). So, I’m very excited for everyone to see it.”

Director Enzo, on the other hand, had only nice words to say about the lead stars.

“Actually, it’s not that challenging because they’re really good to be honest, working with Barbie, working with David,” said he. “The chemistry is already there, parang talagang konting guidance na lang.”

“I think she’s one of the best actresses I’ve worked with,” added he. “When I’m doing a scene, when I’m giving notes like this is my vision, pero kapag si Barbie na ang umeksena, mas malaki (when she acts in the scene, it becomes better), so I love collaborating with her. With David, he is one of the most persistent actors that I’ve worked with, action-wise.”

Direk Enzo described David as someone who is up for the challenge, “walang angal,” whether he’s being asked to wear a harness or to do a swing scene.

“He just keeps on doing; sometimes he even asks for more. I’m excited to do more scenes with him,” he concluded.