FranSeth: We’re not the next Kathniel
MANILA, Philippines — Francine Diaz and Seth Fedelin are reluctant about having their loveteam, also known as FranSeth, labeled as the “next KathNiel.”
Which is just right because when someone says they’re not keen on being tagged as the “next so-and-so,” they want to carve their own path. They don’t want to follow in the footsteps of someone else and instead want to create their own unique journey, identity, and achievements.
This is what Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla did with their successful reel-to-real tandem before parting ways last year. The comparisons of FranSeth or any emerging love team for that matter to KathNiel may be flattering but they can also be unfair.
So, in the case of FranSeth, they greatly admire their fellow Kapamilya stars, but they dream of achieving their level of success on their own terms.
The ABS-CBN Star Magic loveteam got to speak up on the long-standing comparisons during the storycon for their first big-screen outing, “My Future You,” about two individuals meeting and connecting on a dating app but will later find out that they live in different timelines. The romantic movie will be directed by Crisanto B. Aquino under Regal Films.
Seth said, “‘Di namin mapapalitan ang KathNiel. Gusto namin marating ang narating nila pero para ‘di palitan. Ini-idilo po namin sila sa kung ano na nakamit nila. Yun ang pangarap namin. Kung saan sila nakapunta, sana makapunta rin kami sa sarili naming paraan.
(“We can’t replace KathNiel. We want to achieve what they have, but not to replace them. We idolize them for what they’ve accomplished. That’s our dream. Wherever they’ve reached, hopefully, we will reach, too, but on our own terms.”)
Francine echoed Seth’s sentiments, saying: “Hindi naman po namin talaga kaya palitan ang KathNiel kasi ibang iba naman po ang path nila, kung paano sila naging successful. Kami ni Seth, gusto namin makikilala as ourselves, as FranSeth.”
(“We really can’t replace KathNiel because their path to success is completely different from ours. Seth and I want to be known as ourselves, as FranSeth.”)
Seth admitted feeling pressure from the comparison but they just want to be original.
“Nakakakaba po yung ganung statement, paano ‘pag di namin nagawa?” confessed Seth. “Pag-tinitingnan ko siya (comment) na huy mala-KathNiel yung (dalawa), Seth is like Daniel or Francine is like Kathryn…Alam niyo po, hindi ako magiging Daniel, napakalabo po mangyari niyan. Ang FranSeth, hindi po magiging KathNiel, ayaw namin na maging KathNiel. Gusto po naming maging FranSeth.”
(“You know, I won’t become Daniel, that’s very unlikely. FranSeth won’t be KathNiel, we don’t want to be KathNiel. We want to be FranSeth.”)
Nevertheless, Francine said, “We’re both praying and hoping that whatever success they’re enjoying, we will also experience it but in our own way.”
Seth, in particular, expressed his desire to be as accomplished as KathNiel in terms of the number of films they’ve made and in the impact they’ve had on the industry. He acknowledged it’s not going to be easy, especially considering the challenges and expectations they face along the way.
“In terms of success, kung ano narating nila, nakailang pelikula sila, gusto namin maging ganun,” Seth said.
“At yung sinasabing statement (as the next KathNiel), hindi po biro ang naabot ng KathNiel. Pagdating po sa trabaho, kung ano nabigay nila sa industriya, ano naibahagi nilang talento, hindi po biro yun. So, kami bago kami makarating dun, hindi biro yung dadaanan namin. Siempre ini-expect ng mga tao — kung sino man nagsabi ng statement na yun — na makapunta kami dun. So, hindi po biro ang journey na pagdadaanan namin.”
(In terms of success, what they have achieved, the number of films they’ve made, we want to achieve that… What KathNiel has accomplished is not easy. When it comes to work, what they’ve contributed to the industry, the talent they’ve shared, it’s not easy. So, before we reach that point, the journey we’ll go through is not easy. People are expecting or whoever made that statement is expecting us to get there. So, our journey is not going to be easy.”)
Francine further clarified that they have nothing but admiration for KathNiel, as well as their respect for them as friends.
“But don’t get us wrong po,” said Francine. “We love KathNiel, they’ve even become our friends. Actually, when we meet at work, we exchange greetings. Ate Kathryn is very kind to me, and of course, so is Kuya DJ. But we just want to clarify that we’re not aiming to be the next KathNiel, and we’re not trying to replace them, that’s all.”
Meanwhile, the two are not ruling out the possibility of being a couple in the future. In the same vein, they are not pressuring themselves to make their five-year reel partnership real.
Explained Seth, “Hindi ko pini-pressure sarili ko na maging ka-relasyon ko si Francine kasi unang una, lagi kong sinasabi ni-rerespeto ko po mga magulang ni Francine and si Francine (herself).”
(“I don’t pressure myself to be in a relationship with Francine because first and foremost, as I always say, I respect Francine’s parents and Francine herself.”)
Considering their shared values, beliefs and interests, Francine could also say that it’s not difficult to like each other but “hindi namin pina-prioritize maging kami kaagad.”
“There’s a right time for that... For now, our agreement is that this is the nature of our relationship, but our priority is our work,” she said.
Nevertheless, when asked what he liked about Francine, Seth said it’s everything about her. “Yung buong Francine, panlabas at panloob, that’s what I like about Francine.”
As for Francine, she admires her loveteam partner for being family-oriented. She especially likes how he treats his mom. “That’s one thing I could say I like about him — how I see him treat his mom and especially his siblings. How protective he is. What’s attractive about him, para siyang Tatay (he’s like a dad), he knows how to take care, he’s a provider, and he understands.”
- Latest
- Trending
