Barbie Forteza recently sat down with Boy Abunda on his show Fast Talk with Boy Abunda to candidly discuss her new movie with David Licauco, That Kind of Love, as well as their evolving friendship and the undeniable chemistry that has taken the entertainment industry by storm. The Kapuso Primetime Princess was all smiles as she shared the unique dynamics of their partnership and the unlikely path that led to the success of the #BarDa love team.

“Yung friendship na nabuo ko with David is very — slowly but surely. Dinahan-dahan namin,” Barbie described, emphasizing the steady and gradual process of getting to know each other. This “slow burn” friendship, as she calls it, is a product of mutual respect and understanding developed over time, rather than an immediate connection. Despite the electric chemistry they project on screen, Barbie admitted that things did not click right away between them.

In fact, she was refreshingly honest about her initial impression of David. “Lagi ko naman inaamin sa lahat na, at first, hindi ako OK with him,” she revealed with a laugh. When Boy Abunda pressed her for more details, Barbie couldn’t help but chuckle before offering a playful hint, “kasi lagi siyang lat?!” Although she didn’t elaborate further, it was clear that David’s demeanor or habits initially rubbed her the wrong way. Nevertheless, as they spent more time working closely, their differences began to fade, paving the way for a surprisingly successful partnership.

Barbie further elaborated on the challenging start of their on-screen pairing. Their love team, born from the unexpected success of Maria Clara at Ibarra, was something that neither she nor David saw coming. “Very surprising and very unexpected yung love team namin na thankfully successful,” she said. The abrupt shift from mere colleagues to romantic leads required them to work together intensively, sometimes under high-pressure situations that involved delivering convincing romantic scenes every single day.

“Agad-agad, lagi na kaming magkasama, every day magka-trabaho kami. Every day nakakakilig na mga eksena namin. So for two people na hindi naman close, ni hindi nga kami nag-u-usap, biglang ganun, mahirap yun,” Barbie explained. The abrupt closeness in both their work environment and personal space was far from easy, especially given the drastic differences in their personalities and working styles.

The actress also highlighted how dissimilar she and David are when it comes to their professional routines and work ethic. “Magkaibang-magkaiba kami ni David,” she emphasized, underscoring that these differences initially made it difficult for them to connect. While Barbie is known for her methodical and detail-oriented approach, David has his own style that doesn’t always align with hers. However, over time, their contrasting approaches turned into complementary strengths, contributing to the magic they bring to the screen.\

What makes their love team’s journey even more remarkable is the organic way it blossomed. From the heights of Maria Clara at Ibarra, where the #BarDa tandem first captured viewers’ hearts, to their hit series Maging Sino Ka Man, and now to their upcoming movie That Kind of Love, their chemistry has proven to be a winning formula. Their success feels all the more rewarding considering the challenges they had to overcome, and their bond is now stronger than ever.

Later this month, Barbie and David are set to return in another highly anticipated project, Pulang Araw, which fans are eagerly waiting for. Barbie expressed her gratitude for the overwhelming support from their followers, acknowledging the unpredictable nature of showbiz. While some might think that the timing played a crucial role in their love team’s rise, Barbie believes otherwise.

“Timing has nothing to do with the success of our love team,” she mused. “Mas more on luck.” She credits the magic of their tandem to sheer luck rather than perfect timing, emphasizing that the stars simply aligned in their favor. Despite the initial bumps in the road, she is deeply thankful for the way things turned out, celebrating the serendipity that brought them together.

With each new project, Barbie and David continue to grow both as individuals and as a team. Their journey from an awkward partnership to a powerhouse love team is a testament to the power of perseverance, mutual respect, and, as Barbie puts it, a little bit of luck. As #BarDa fans eagerly anticipate their next endeavors, it’s clear that this love team has only just begun to make its mark.