Real-life couple Paul and Mikee find it tough to act romantic on screen

MANILA, Philippines — Contrary to the notion that it is easier for real-life celebrity couples to pull off kilig scenes and romantic moments on-cam, Paul Salas and girlfriend Mikee Quintos find them a lot harder to do.

The Kapuso couple play sweethearts Leopoldo and Carmen in The Flower Sisters, the third installment of the Mano Po Legacy series, a joint television production venture of GMA 7 and Regal Entertainment, which is set to premiere tonight (Oct. 31) at 9:35.

Paul, who is Lloyd Samartino’s younger version in the drama series, expressed happiness over the opportunity to be paired for the first time with Mikee in a drama. He, too, feels honored to be part of the Mano Po Legacy series.

“I’m happy not only because I am working with my girlfriend but also because growing up, I’ve watched Mano Po (the movies),” Paul told reporters in the media conference held recently. “It’s an honor for me to be part of the show.”

Paul admitted though that working with his real-life girlfriend has its drawback, especially because their characters are also sweethearts.

“This is a challenge for me. There were adjustments during our first two or three taping days. But I think it came out well. Hopefully, na-pull off namin,” Paul beamed.

For her part, Mikee said, “I think the struggle that he’s (talking about) is the confusion. Like me, it’s my first time on a set with someone who I am dating.

Mikee plays Carmen, Leopoldo’s first love and mother of his first child.

“Confusion na minsan nasa work ka, nasa set ka, tapos, you’re with someone you’re really close with. We talked about it na imbes na maging weakness namin ‘yun, we both agreed that we should instead use it as our strength on the set,” the actress explained what Paul was trying to point out.

“At least, there are two of us now thinking about what can be done or how to improve our characters at mas buhayin sina Leopoldo at Carmen sa aming dalawa,” she added.

It’s must for Paul and Mikee to embody their respective characters so that the audience will truly see Leopoldo and Carmen, and not them.

Paul’s Leopoldo is involved with four different women. Carmen is his first love, with whom he has a daughter named Lily (the grown-up version is portrayed by Aiko Melendez). His three other daughters from different mothers are Violet (Beauty Gonzales), Dahlia (Thea Tolentino) and Iris (Angel Guardian).

Said Mikee, “In every episode, you’re going to see us, kami ni Paul… because papasok ‘yung (scenes from the) past.”

Paul added that their love story, set in the ‘70s, is one of the most important parts of the series “kaya medyo na- pressure kami kasi hindi makikita ng tao ‘yung story sa present time kung hindi namin ma-deliver ng maayos ‘yung sa past.”

Mikee assured that the viewers will get to enjoy every scene. “We also enjoyed all the scenes that we’ve finished. Nag-enjoy talaga ako kasi bawat scene, clear ‘yung objective at dahil nga sa past kami, wala kaming in-between scenes, that’s why the transition, ‘yung jump ng scenes, is very important.”

Without meaning to spoil the series, Paul revealed that there was one scene where he felt so giddy while delivering his lines.

“We have a scene where I was supposed to say, ‘Mahal kita’ in Chinese but we decided to tell (the line) in Tagalog para mas maramdaman ng mga tao.

“Kinilig rin ako sa proposal scene. Our characters here are (both) 30 years old so that’s another challenge, acting older than our age. But with the help of the production, sila direk (Ian Lorenos, Sean Lim and Nick Olanka), everything turned out well,” said Paul.

Mano Po Legacy: The Flower Sisters also stars Isabel Rivas, Bodjie Pascua, Johnny Revilla, Tanya Garcia, Sue Prado, Rafael Rosell, Marcus Madrigal, Miggs Cuaderno, Will Ashley, Carlo San Juan, Dustin Yu, Kimson Tan, Reins Mika, Sandro Muhlach, Yvette Sanchez, Sophia Senoron, Larkin Castor and Cheska Fausto.

Paul as Leopoldo gets involved with four different women, including Carmen.