Gabbi and Khalil: We don’t want to be a love team

CEBU, Philippines — When Gabbi Garcia and Khalil Ramos became a couple, they agreed not to mix their professional and private lives. Coming from different networks, the pair relied on the technicalities that made sure they couldn’t work together.

“At the very start of our relationship, we had a deal,” Kapuso actress Gabbi Garcia, 20, told the Cebu press. “At first there was a big hesitation in working together. But throughout the process, we actually enjoyed it. And it also has its advantages.”

Gabbi and 23-year-old Khalil of Star Magic, headline the upcoming film “LSS,” one of the entries to this year’s Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino, which will run from September 13 to 19.

“LSS” centers on two strangers, Zack and Sara, connected by the music of popular indie-folk band Ben&Ben after meeting in a commute.

The actors shared how drawn they were to the story, and when you put in their favorite band into the mix, it was difficult for both to say no.

“This doesn’t mean that we’re a love team ha,” Gabbi immediately clarified. “We don’t want to be a love team.”

They said their relationship began away from the prying eyes of show business and they would like to differentiate it from their careers as much as possible.

Being enamored with the material and getting to work with their favorite band didn’t make it any less challenging for them though.

“Nahirapan kami. We had to be strangers and we’re obviously not in real life. We had individual challenges as actors as well. We are observing each other’s work ethic, and the pressure of how to keep collaborating with the whole team,” added Khalil.

Khalil said “LSS” is a different take on the typical romantic comedy. Apart from the music, he especially liked the idea of potential – how the smallest moments or even words said in passing can spark the greatest change in someone’s life. For Gabbi, “LSS” is a movie that inspires viewers to hope, love, and dream more, and to romanticize the little things in life.

Gabbi’s journey in the entertainment industry also mirrored Sara’s frustrations in getting into the music scene which came with rejections, and long lines. Khalil, who would’ve been a software engineer had he not taken up acting, plays exactly that – a software engineer – in “LSS.”

The two focused on the mannerisms and the small details that make their characters not only unique but also breathing and living.

Despite their now broken deal, at the end of the day, it seems Gabbi and Khalil were better off working together in “LSS” since the two have picked up not only a thing or two on set but also from each other. Gabbi says his influence made her appreciate filmmaking even more.

“It’s a breath of fresh air. A lot of knowledge is coming in. I’m absorbing and learning every time I go to work for this movie. I can actually say that I’m willing to do more films and be actually more exposed when it comes to films,” Gabbi quips. “With Khalil influencing me when it comes to films, and working with different talented people from the industry, I can see myself doing more. I really enjoyed it.”

Khalil, on the other hand, shared that he learned from Gabbi to appreciate the beauty of little things.

“I’m not that appreciative as her [Gabbi] when it comes to those. I’m the bigger picture kind of guy. She influenced me in a way to be very attentive in my work, to make and give extra effort. Sa kanya, it’s not hard to notice these little things that matter to people. She also taught me how to see things from a different perspective, from person to person and see how these things would mean and matter to them. And for that I’m very thankful.”