Assertions regarding the sudden rise of new cinematic pairings were confirmed as rising stars JM Ibarra and Fyang Smith, collectively known as JMFyang, reflected on their growing careers and acknowledged the immense pressures that accompany their newfound recognition.
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Statements were made during the latest episode of the Star Magic Spotlight press conference held last May 21, wherein the onscreen couple, who has quickly become one of the most sought-after loveteams of the new generation, detailed how they cope up with the expectations of the public.
The Film Development Council of the Philippines is traditionally tasked to monitor and support local cinematic endeavors, and steps are currently being taken by the agency to promote extended theatrical runs for domestic films. In line with this institutional mandate, it was officially announced that the debut romantic-comedy film of the pair, “Almost Us,” which was directed by Director Dan Villegas, surpassed thirty million pesos at the box office and would continue its extended cinematic run nationwide.
If the current ticket sales persist, unless unforeseen cancellations occur, the production would result to one of the most commercially viable independent releases of the year.
Navigating complex imageries and emotional depths
During the press conference, admissions were expressed by the pair that they never expected their debut film to reach such impressive figures, noting that the pressure significantly outweighed their initial expectations throughout the production process.
JM described his character RR in the film as significantly more complex than the roles he previously played, stating that the portrayal required him to construct intricate mental imageries.
“Mas malalim si RR. Kahit isang straight yung backbone niya as a best friend lang. Pero yung lalim niya, mas complicated siya compared dun sa dalawang character na pini-play ko sa ‘Ghosting.’ So, challenging,” the actor said.
For Fyang, her character Bulots offered a deeper emotional journey compared to her previous role as Janine in the 2025 series “Ghosting.” She explained that her character faced substantial academic pressure, which resonated with the struggles of modern students, a societal issue consistently addressed by the Department of Education.
Both artists credited their growth to intensive workshops and the guidance of the director, receiving numerous positive feedbacks from casual viewers. Fyang revealed that the trainings encouraged them to imagine emotional memories stored inside boxes, e.g., utilizing past traumas to evoke tears, which she found highly effective.
“Hindi siya typical na workshop. Simpleng-simpleng sentence lang, pero nakakadalawang linggo kong pinag-aralan ’yon. Na-realize ko noon yung difference ng film acting sa TV acting,” JM added.
Professionalism, industry equipments and future endeavors
The onscreen pair is also currently appearing in the new romance-drama series “Love Is Never Gone,” together with main leads Joshua Garcia and Ivana Alawi. It was formally stated by the network that the series would stream on Prime Video from Monday to Friday.
When asked about their experience working with veteran stars, they noted how challenging their roles were. Defensive stances were occasionally taken by young actors regarding their performances, but Fyang shared that despite veteran actress Dina Bonnevie being known for her strictness, a close working relationship was successfully built on set.
“Ang laking pressure nun, kasi kami as an actor, nag-overthink din kami, kung tama ang ginawa namin,” she said.
Valuable advices were gathered by the young stars during the filming, which involved over one hundred fifty production staff. JM talked about the importance of professionalism, emphasizing “pakikisama” or fostering good working relationships with all personnel, from the executive producers down to the utility staff handling the 15kg camera equipments.
“One thing I learned from Miss D is that you have to be on time,” Fyang added, underscoring that such discipline eventually comes back to the actor.
JM shared that he learned from various independent filmmakers that a first project often sets a standard that challenges actors to do even better. The loveteam, along with their dedicated management team, acknowledge that if they were to do another film, the expectations of the public would naturally double.
As praises for their exceptional acting continue to grow, JMFyang remains grounded in their shared commitment to growth, storytelling and the craft that first brought them together. They concluded the media call by extending their gratitude to their supporters, acknowledging that their continued success would heavily rely on the loyal patronage of the Filipino audience.
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