New ‘KiRae’ love team creating a buzz online

Kira Balinger (right) and Grae Fernandez

Other blossoming love teams on the small screen can learn a thing or two from Kira Balinger and Grae Fernandez (collectively known as “KiRae”) in terms of how to effectively portray a young couple who’s head over heels in love with each other.

Kira, 20, and Grae, 19, are currently creating a buzz online for their portrayals in the drama series “Ang Sa Iyo ay Akin.” Comments by netizens refer to them as the “next big love team.”

“I admit to feeling kilig with Grae, especially when I see how passionate he is with his work. I would notice how he looks at me when we have scenes that are really sweet. I feel happy when I hear him laugh,” Kira told Inquirer Entertainment during a recent Zoom meet with show biz scribes.

Grae, meanwhile, said he saw this as a good thing. “If Kira feels this way, it means that what I’m doing is effective,” he explained. “You see, I make sure that when the director shouts, ‘Action!’ I become my character. At that moment, I really love Hope.”

However, both pointed out that “falling in love is merely part of our work as actors.” Grae added: “What I want right now is to focus on my craft. I trust that she will let me do anything for the scene. We have a great relationship. I take what she said as an affirmation of what I’m doing with my character. When I hug her, walang ilang. I like it that we are able to work smoothly because she’s so cool about this aspect.”

Grae plays Jake Zulyani opposite Kira’s character, Hope Villarosa, daughter of the characters of Iza Calzado and Sam Milby in the drama series.

Kira said she and Grae have known each other since 2015, “that’s why chemistry came naturally for us. I just want to share that management has long been working on finding a project for us. The opportunity just didn’t come around until now,” she pointed out.

FM Reyes, who codirects “Ang Sa Iyo ay Akin” with Avel Sunpongco, credited producer Julie Ann Benitez and Cory Vidanes (ABS-CBN CEO for Broadcast) for “spotting” KiRae.

“While we saw the two actors for auditions, there were producers/creators who have the eye for talent who led them to us, and they were right,” the director declared. “Both actors are kind and intelligent. As a director, those are my only two requirements.”

FM then recalled the time when he would talk about literature and classic films with the two actors. “I do this to give them pointers on where to get inspiration for their characters. I was surprised, especially with Grae because he would even quote lines from films I’ve mentioned, like ‘Gone With the Wind’ or ‘On the Waterfront.’”

Grae is the son of actor Mark Anthony Fernandez, and grandson of the late action star Rudy Fernandez.

FM added that he also felt proud of the way Kira and Grae answered questions from the media. The two were asked what they would do if, like their characters, they wanted to pursue a particular personal interest but their parents don’t approve of it.

To this, Grae responded: “Jake is the type who would agree to whatever Marissa (Jodi Sta. Maria’s character) would say. You’ll know why later on. I’m also like him, but I make sure to speak my mind, too. When I make a decision, I weigh my feelings over my parents’ and communicate this with them. That’s key in order for you to know what compromise can be done. Unlike me, Jake doesn’t ask questions.”

Kira agreed with Grae about the importance of communicating one’s feelings, but added: “We all want to be good and obedient children to our parents, but there are times when what will make our parents happy is what actually makes us sad. We have to be open to them about this. As long as what makes you happy doesn’t harm anybody else, you can take it up with your parents. There’s no harm in that.”

The series now airs on the Kapamilya Online Live channel and on A2Z Channel 11.