Of love teams and young love that nearly had an actor sued
Barbie Forteza and David Licauco (left), and Kim Chiu and Paulo Avelino. Images from Instagram (ALV). Kim Chiu.
Love teams are a cornerstone of showbiz in cultures where romance and relationships hold significant cultural weight just as the case in Philippine entertainment. More often than not, they offer audiences an immediate and relatable emotional connection, fueling a dedicated fanbase that eagerly consumes their movies, TV shows, and endorsements.
Take the case of today’s hottest love teams Barbie Forteza and David Licauco and Kim Chiu and Paulo Avelino whose passionate following translates for them higher viewership and box office success, making them valuable assets for production companies and networks.
In celebration of their undeniable on-screen chemistry and massive influence on Philippine pop culture, BarDa (Forteza and Licauco) and KimPau (Chiu and Avelino) were chosen the love teams of the year at the recently concluded 38th PMPC Star Awards for Television.
Beyond the economic benefits, love teams such as theirs often create a sense of escapism and fantasy, allowing viewers to project their own romantic ideals and desires onto the onscreen (and sometimes perceived off-screen) relationship. This escapism provides a comforting narrative in a complex world, solidifying the enduring appeal and importance of loveteams in the entertainment landscape.
No less than Mayor Marcos Mamay, the Executive Adviser of the Actors Guild of the Philippines and the Showbiz Industry Alliance, presented the special citation, the German Moreno Power Tandem award to the famous winners.
“KimPau and BarDa have set a high standard in television with their exceptional portrayals. Their dedication to their craft is truly inspiring,” he stated.
Likewise, he extended his greetings to Kim for winning Best Drama Actress for Linlang. “Heartfelt congratulations to Kim! Your talent and hard work continue to inspire us all. A huge congratulations as well to all the other awardees—your dedication and excellence in your craft have truly shone. This recognition is a testament to your passion and commitment to the industry. Here’s to many more well-deserved awards and accolades,” he shared.
Proving to be a major force in the entertainment industry, actively supporting and recognizing Filipino talents, Mayor Mamay of Nunungan, Lanao del Norte, is actively involved in film production. His own biographical film, Mamay: A Journey to Greatness, starring Jeric Raval, Ara Mina, and Teejay Marquez, under the direction of Neal “Buboy” Tan, chronicles his inspiring journey from humble beginnings to a respected leader. The movie has been adapted by DepED for showing in various schools across the country. To create more opportunities for actors and movie workers, more projects are in the offing for his own Mamay Film Productions.
As for KimPau, their movie “My Love Will Make You Disappear,” is currently showing in Philippine theaters reportedly raking in P12-million — the highest opening day so far for a local film this year. Their on-screen chemistry gets further tested as they grace a special screening and meet-and-greet session in Los Angeles on March 28, 29 and 30 at the Cinemark Carson Theater.
For BarDa, their next movie is currently in pre-production stage.“Yes, they have a movie,” GMA executive Annette Gozon-Valdes shared in an interview. She said that they are working on this because Barbie and David will have separate projects this year on TV. She also shared that this would definitely be a love story adding that Barbie’s next project is less of a love story, so it would be difficult to include David in it. However, they know they need to sustain the chemistry. “And parehong single, ‘di ba?” Annette said in jest.
Meanwhile, David’s movie, “Samahan ng mga Makasalanan” opens in Philippine cinemas on Black Saturday, April 19.
Actor likes them young
Speaking of love teams, this hunk of an actor was making a name for himself in the biz when pressures on marriage and family responsibilities caught up with him. Unfortunately, he didn’t live up to the challenge and broke up with his lovely wife. The couple’s loved ones and friends, supporters, and fans hoped for their reconciliation but it did not happen especially when the actor started dating a much younger actress who willingly set aside her blossoming career in favor of the actor.
Unknown to many, this is not the first time that the actor was attracted to a woman much younger than him. When he was barely new in the industry, the actor met a commercial model in her early teens over a vacation at the country’s most famous island. The actor pursued the teener and won her heart with a promise that he would be faithful to her despite his new-found showbiz career in Manila.
Although it was a short-lived romance, the teenager’s family sought legal help for the actor’s aggressive pursuit of the young girl and for playing with her emotions. Fortunately, the provincial folks decided to drop the case against the actor, and there was hardly a news item alleging that he “groomed” the girl. Thankfully, too, there was still no social media at that time so the case simply died a natural death.
People who knew of this affair couldn’t help but ask themselves: Until when will his coupling with his current fling last? Will this be the last time that the actor is pursuing a younger partner?
