Pinoy Big Brother Gen 11 alums JM Ibarra and Fyang Smith, collectively known as JMFyang, are set to star in their upcoming iWantTFC original digital series, Ghosting.
At a recent media conference, the duo opened up about the excitement and pressure of leading their first series together, a fantasy-romantic comedy that marks a new chapter in both their careers.
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“Noong sinabi sa amin about dito sa project na ito, na-excite ako. Sobrang naexcite kami sa project na ito kasi kami na iyong magkadikit noon at pinapangarap namin na magkaroon ng ganitong klaseng proyekto at agad na binigay sa amin ng Diyos. Sobrang excited namin parehas,” JM told PUSH ABS-CBN.
JM added that beyond the excitement, he’s eager to grow in his craft.
“Gusto ko na gawin talaga bukod sa matagal na namin hiniling ito, pinapangarap ito, at the same time gusto ko na matuto. Marami kaming matutunan sa ibang artista, sa production team,” he expressed.
Fyang, who was named Big Winner of PBB Gen 11, admitted that the pressure is real, especially with expectations running high for their first official project together.
“Grabe yung pressure kasi siyempre marami nag-e-expect na talagang push and talagang bigay todo and super taas ng expectation ng mga tao,” Fyang admitted.
Despite that, the duo said they are ready for the challenge.
“I think ready na kami parehas at tulungan naman kami dito kahit magkaiba yung character na ipoportray namin,” JM said.
READ: EXCLUSIVE: Fyang Smith, JM Ibarra talk about first dubbing and acting experience
“May pressure pero nandoon pa rin yung confidence. Alam ko confident kami na magagampanan namin ng maayos ang role and at the same time kahit anong expectation pa iyon, ready kami,” he stated.
Fyang echoed that confidence, saying, “Masarap gawing motivation yung pressure na gagampanin namin. Magexpect lang kayo ng magexpect.”
Ghosting tells the story of an unlikely bond between Jaja, a hopeless romantic social media influencer (played by Fyang), and Wilberto, a conservative ghost from the 1940s (played by JM), who connect across generations and worlds.
The series also stars Vivoree Esclito as Emma, Kobie Brown as Val, and Gello Marquez as Tony. It is directed by Theodore “Ted” Boborol.
Talking about a new series featuring rising stars, director Ted shared how excited he is for a new challenge, especially the supernatural fantasy theme.
“Sobrang kampante na ako with this concept. When this was offered to me, sobrang natuwa ako at nachallenge at the same time. As a director, gusto ko ma-challenge,” Director Ted answered PUSH ABS-CBN, commending the creative team behind the new series.
He added, “First time ko gumawa ng may supernatural element but at the same time alam ko rin naman na ang genre ay rom-com siya so alam ko mas kumbaga at home (ako).”
He also shared his excitement about working with JM and Fyang.
“Ako yung director na always excited na baguhan yung makatrabaho. If makita niyo filmography ko, always ako nag-launch so it’s another challenge kaya I’m excited,” he said.
Before filming began, the creative team worked closely with the lead actors to shape their roles based on their real-life personalities.
“As a director we see to it na sa na kung ano yung personality nila in real life madadala sa show kasi mga baguhan (pa sila) kaya you can’t have them play (muna) against types,” Direk Ted said.
He went on: “Before the creatives wrote the script, nag-one on one ako kay JM at Fyang. Kinilala muna namin sila ng mabuti para kung ano talaga sila in real life, parallel sa kwento.”
Ghosting is the newest original series from iWantTFC and will stream exclusively on the platform.