Friendship leads to love for Enrique

MANILA, Philippines — Many say that friendship is the best foundation for a relationship. Enrique Gil couldn’t agree more when he revealed that he and girlfriend Liza Soberano started out as good friends.

“Yeah, we were just in a barkada level at first,” he recalled. “I mean, our relationship started out from us being friends and for some reason, it became more than that.”

Their romance has been smooth-sailing for years now with both Enrique and Liza expressing their love for each other without fail. It can be recalled how the 26-year-old actor visited Liza in the US after she underwent surgery for her injured finger. In a video, the actor was seen holding a bouquet of flowers for his girlfriend.

The story of their friendship was brought up when Enrique started answering questions about friends in line with Greenwich’s celebration of the Friendship Month with its Barkada Box Awards. Enrique is the latest addition to the growing Greenwich barkada that includes Yassi Pressman and Robi Domingo.

“I’m the fun guy in the barkada,” he began. “I’m more of the makulit in the group pero ako rin ‘yung kuya who always checks on everyone na ‘O, kamusta ka na?’ ‘Kumain ka na ba?’ And I am the kuya because I think I’m the oldest in the group but it feels weird sometimes since ako din ‘yung pasimuno sa mga kalokohan, hahaha.”

Enrique also loves playing “harmless” pranks on his closest non-showbiz pals. “You can see on videos what I do to them while they’re sleeping because my house has somewhat become their house that every time I go home, they’re already there and we would all stay in one room. They sleep in my bedroom so they’re like a part of my family,” he said, referring to his childhood friends who live in the same village where he resides which is located in the south of the metro.

With Yassi Pressman (center) and host Janeena Chan during the Barkada Box Awards held at the Market! Market!

“I’ve been with them since we were kids; we grew up together so you could just imagine the kind of bond that we have. They’re like my second family. My best friend lives in the house next to us.”

Asked about the three things that would make friendship work, the Star Magic talent replied, “Trust, honesty and having each other’s back no matter what. Just like a mother who loves her child whatever mistake he/she commits, I’m like that as a friend — na kahit anong gawin, mahal ko pa rin.”

Meanwhile, Enrique shared that he and Liza are not supposed to attend the ABS-CBN Ball on Sept. 14 “because we’re supposed to be flying out to shoot for something (initially denying that it’s for their upcoming teleserye). But at the last minute, we got a call that we must be there so we will attend the ball and then fly out the following day,” said Enrique, who will wear a Randy Ortiz suit.  

He, too, assured fans during the Greenwich event held at Market! Market! that a new teleserye that he is starring in with Liza will air soon. Taping is set to begin this month with Enrique visibly hesitant about telling that some scenes will be shot in Europe.

“Certainly, it will air by next year and we will fly out to, basta (laughs). It will be super exciting.”