While there’s so much interest surrounding their movie, there’s an equal, if not even greater, curiosity about the relationship between Paulo Avelino and Kim Chiu. During their Metro cover shoot, the My Love Will Make You Disappear stars gave us glimpses of their bond on- and off-cam.

“On the set, mahilig kasi akong mag-throw ng lines talaga sa co-actors. It helps that si Kim is very willing and open. Medyo makulit ako when it comes to throwing lines because I want to hear my co-actors as well on how they say and how they understand the lines, so you can adjust eventually before you go to the set,” Paulo said of their movie set experience.

“Maraming mahirap na eksena ‘yung movie and nand’yan naman si Pau para tulungan ako. Suportahan kami,” Kim continued.

Kim shared that there are several rain scenes they had to shoot for the movie early in the morning and even late at night, so they would end up drenched and shivering. So, Paulo thoughtfully brought an emergency blanket to keep themselves warm.

Though they have worked thrice already—previously in the drama series Linlang and the Philippine adaptation of the K-drama hit What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim—Kim said she discovered something surprising about Paulo that many people may not know.

“Funny siya. Mayroon siyang comedic timing. Nakakatawa siya. So nakakagulat for a Paulo Avelino na magpatawa, mag-joke, at magbitaw ng mga pickup lines,” she exclaimed.

Paulo gently picked up on what she shared, saying, “Komedyante [ako] talaga. Hindi lang nabibigyan ng pagkakataon.”

Kidding aside, what Paulo likes about acting alongside Kim is the kind of work chemistry they have, and Kim agrees.

“For me, it’s the collaboration. The willingness to listen and vice versa. Sometimes, there are a lot of opinions when it comes to your character and the scenes. We always find a common ground—kung saan ‘yung gitna. We agree on what should be and on the best choice for certain scenes or situations,” the actor explained.

“Taurus kami. Pareho kaming matigas ang ulo so patigasan na lang talaga,” Kim continued, laughing. ”Tapos mahilig din siyang mag-workout and same kami ng work ethic. Work talaga is something very precious for us.”

Personality-wise, it seems their opposite traits work so well for them, too. Paulo said Kim’s sunshine personality is what he likes most about her.

“Obvious naman na bubbly ‘yung personality ni Kim. That bubbliness brings smiles to everyone on set, including me,” he quickly said.

“Ako naman, super tahimik siya. Si daldal ako e, so ako nang bahala. Hindi naman siya naiingayan. Hindi ba?” Kim playfully asked Paulo, who was sitting beside her.

“Hindi naman,“ he told her before adding, “Mahilig din naman ako makinig. So magsasalita lang siya tapos ako nakikinig lang.”

At some point, the two started teasing each other about their age and seniority in the industry.

“High school pa lang ako pinapanood na kita sa PBB [Pinoy Big Brother],” Paulo quipped.

“Hoy, hindi! Sabay kami. Sa Starstruck siya—dream, believe, survive. Pero magka-batch kami. Nauna lang ako ng ilang buwan,” she jokingly answered back.

They may have these lighthearted moments but just like in any other production set, the pair also encountered serious matters they weathered together. Paulo shared he’s used to big and small productions and how things go for both but saw that Kim wasn’t used to other systems and guided her through it. Kim remembered what it felt like to learn from Paulo on the set, as he helped her bring out her best performance.

“Huwag ko raw i-keep iyong nararamdaman ko and express it. Communication is key hindi lang naman para sa dalawa but for everyone as a group,” she remarked.

“Especially if you want to improve what’s happening,” he added.

With how long Kim and Paulo have been in the entertainment industry, the concept of being in a “love team“ is something amusing for them. Whenever there is something new with KimPau, as they have been fondly dubbed, it always finds a spot among the trending topics online.

“It‘s funny but it‘s our third project together. I don’t know. Maybe may nakikita talaga ‘yung mga tao that gives them happiness or gives them kilig. Ako naman, I’m very appreciative of everyone who supports us because I believe that time and effort, [it’s a] give and take. I mean, you should always be grateful for the time and effort given to you. So I‘m very grateful to everyone who has been helping us trend or promoting our shows for us. Even now, [the fans have] been promoting our movie for us, making their own posters, posting it on tricycles and sari-sari stores. It‘s mind-blowing. Ngayon lang ako naka-experience ng ganitong klase ng support,” Paulo said, fascinated about the love they have been receiving.

Kim, on the other hand, got pensive since she referred to KimPau as her third love team.

“May isang teenage love team, 20s love team, and 30s love team. Parang wala nang 40s and 50s love team,” she said, ending with a laugh. ”Pero sobrang natutuwa naman ako na ‘yung supporta talaga ng mga tao every decade, iba-iba. Nand‘yan talaga sila. Kasi hindi naman talaga ako magtatagal kung hindi dahil sa suporta ng mga tao. Hindi rin naman kami magkakaroon ng sarili naming movie kung hindi rin dahil sa suporta nila. So lahat ng ito is because of them. Because they love us, they trust us, and they support us. Maraming salamat and we‘re very thankful.“

When asked about the dream projects on their bucket list, the two paused for a bit.

“Well, I have a lot of hanging written scripts and my concepts. So hopefully I get to see it come to life: a movie or a TV show,” he briefly and mysteriously shared.

“I live one day at a time kasi hindi mo alam baka bukas wala na. Kasi parang i-enjoy na lang ‘yung bawat araw na meron ka. Live in the moment and enjoy the moment,” Kim reflected.

Both Kapamilya stars remain firm about maintaining balance in their lives to keep them grounded and healthy physically and emotionally.

“I think work-life balance is very important. It gives you a break from all the stress you get from work at the same time. Whatever your extracurricular activities are that relax you, that help your mind or your body rest, or [help you] be more creative—I think [they are some] of the most important things that people are taking for granted nowadays. I take care of my health. I exercise a lot to make sure that my body’s always ready and there’s also another saying, ‘Healthy body, healthy mind.’ First-hand experience ko na I’ve been through so many things in my life and na-challenge rin ako mentally how to tackle everything else. But you know, just focus on one thing at a time. Start with your body and eventually, things will follow,” Paulo enthused.

Kim, meanwhile, finds balance in doing and making time for things outside of showbusiness.

“Naba-balanse ako with the work I do sa bags business ko. Na–zo-zone out ako from showbiz with House of Little Bunny PH. Naba-balance ko siya as artista and as an entrepreneur. Tapos nandyan din ‘yung family ko, mga sisters ko and mga pamangkin ko. Kumpleto naman ‘yung ikot ng life. May work, may personal, and may career so healthy naman siya in everything,” Kim concluded.

Photography by Gee Plamenco, Jr.

Creative direction by Eugene David

Metro head: Christina Lopez

Sittings editors: Geolette Esguerra, Randz Manucom, Kate Paras-Santiago, and Grace Libero-Cruz

Styling by Adrianne Concepcion with associates Via Abarra and Cent Bermas (Kim) and David Milan (Paulo)

Makeup by Jake Galvez (Kim)

Hairstyling by RJ dela Cruz (Kim)

Grooming by Jesus Torrevillas (Paulo)

Videography by Pat Buenaobra, assisted by JP Olviga

Video producer: Tricia Matias

Shoot coordinator: Noella Fonbuena

Fashion associate: Carla Buyo

Fashion intern: Mavi Sulangi

Shoot assistants: Iya Baring and Angela Nepomuceno

Catering by Privé By Illo’s

Shot on location at The Balmori Suites

Special thanks to Star Cinema