MANILA, Philippines - If you see Kiray Celis and Igi Boy Flores fight like cats and dogs more often than not on ABS-CBN’s youth-oriented show Luv U, don’t fret too much. They’re just living their characters Whitney and Rocky who seem to have opposing views that tend to lead to arguments and, with Whitney’s short fuse, physical harm.
“Actually, our clash cannot be faked especially in scenes where I have to slap Igi or strangle him,” says Kiray. “But of course, I should know how to control my hands. Thanks, to my Mara Clara days where I learned to make my acting as realistic as it can be.”
For Igi, it’s just but natural to get hurt sometimes but not to the point of inflicting real harm. “There are times that you cannot avoid getting hurt but don’t take it personally. You just have to get used to it but once the scene is over and the director shouts ‘Cut!’, we’re back to our normal selves, kulitan na ulit. It’s all for the show.”
Off-cam, Igi and Kiray get along pretty well.They burst out laughing at each other’s jokes and exchange nasty remarks that would make any one feel offended. “Sa amin wala yun, barkada kami,” clarifies Kiray.
Asked if there’s a possibility that she will fall for Igi just like her Whitney character who secretly admires Kiko, Kiray answers, “Perhaps, in the show, there will be a happy ending like we will end up in each other’s arms but beyond that I cannot tell. I love Igi as a brother sobrang parang kapatid ko na s’ya since Goin’ Bulilit days.”
Igi reveals, “It’s possible for me to like her but probably when the right time comes at di pa ngayon yun, ha,ha,ha.”
Kidding aside, the two have nothing but praises for each other. Igi knows Kiray never ceases to learn when it comes to acting. He admires her ability to do villain, comedy and dramatic roles effectively. In Igi’s case, Kiray shares that even though he’s serious, “I still find him funny.”
“That’s the reason why I cannot do drama because when I tried once, I received several text messages telling me that drama is not for me, di daw bagay. But personally, I want to be a character actor so I can portray various roles,” shares Igi.
But whether the two are funny or not, Igi and Kiray assure that Luv U imparts values and lessons to televiewers through the various situations it presents every Sunday afternoon. Kiray still remembers how the show’s theme for its Baguio episode hit her heart directly.
“Kinilig talaga ako in that scene where Kiko saved Whitney from getting hit by a car. That even if they always fight, Kiko still cares for Whitney. Buwis-buhay talaga.”
Kiko adds, “It only showed the real meaning of friendship, na lahat gagawin para sa kaibigan.”
(Luv U airs Sunday afternoons after ASAP 2012.)