In matching denim outfits, Pinoy Big Brother: Gen 11 alums JM Ibarra and Fyang Smith attended the press conference Star Magic organized to put the spotlight on them.

JM and Fyang are fresh from a huge fashion moment at the Bench Body of Work show, where they confidently showed their beach-ready bodies on the runway. Looking back, JM said he really worked out, so he had no qualms about rocking a tank top onstage. Fyang, on the other hand, said that since she’s thin, she didn’t feel the need to limit her food intake more than usual; it was important for her to eat just enough to have energy for the show. “Ang tamad ko mag-gym,” she admitted, adding that she plans to workout in the gym soon in time for summer. “Mga bandang April, promise ko sa inyong lahat, mag–gy-gym na ako.”

JM and Fyang said they had many unforgettable moments during the Bench show. But for JM, what really stood out to him was the chance to be among big stars like Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes, who they did not expect to make an appearance at the event. “‘Yung mga ganu’ng icons, nakakataba ng puso na makita sila ng personal. ‘Yung mga hinahangaan namin,” he told Metro.Style.

“Ako rin, hindi ko ine-expect na nandu’n si Ms. Marian. Grabe, sobrang na-starstruck ako,” Fyang added. “Sa lahat ng artistang nakita ko, kay Ms. Marian talaga ako na-starstruck. Sobrang ganda!”

From Bench Body of Work, JM and Fyang are also gearing up for another major fashion event, the ABS-CBN Ball, which will take place on April 4. As newcomers in showbiz, it will be their first time attending the ABS-CBN Ball. “Sobrang excited,” JM quipped. “Makikita rin namin ‘yung mga iniidolo namin dito sa industriya, and excited kami na magkaroon ng interaction between us at sa mga iniidolo namin.”

“First namin na Ball ‘yun, na maglalakad kami sabay na this time sa red carpet. And, sobrang excited ako. Marami rin akong gusto makita du’n. Marami akong inaabangan na makita du’n sa Ball.”

Since it’s their first ABS-CBN Ball, they did have some input on their outfits, but they also trust their glam teams to recommend what’s best for them. “Ako, personally, nag-request ako na very simple lang ‘yung kurba ng gown. As in. Gusto ko simple lang pero at the same time, s’yempre kailangan may ‘wow’ pa rin,” Fyang shared.

JM said his stylist, Ton Lao, based his outfit on his personality and gave a shoutout to his designer, Neric Beltran. “Simple lang pero nilagyan nila ng ‘wow’ factor kahit papaano,” he said, excited to see the finished product.

In January this year, the two starred in the music video of Regine Velasquez-Alcasid’s “Wherever You Are,” which went viral and currently has almost 6 million views on YouTube. They’ve also been doing shows together, such as The Filipino Channel’s Barrio Fiesta Dubai 2025.

But what is their dream project together? Fyang said, “Movie, of course. Magka-movie kami together.”

JM has big dreams for their team-up, too. He shared, “Ako, dream ko sa’ming dalawa, hindi lang basta magka-pelikula e, magka-blockbuster, ganu’n! Alam mo ‘yun, hinahasa talaga namin ‘yung craft namin pagdating sa pag-arte. ‘Yun ‘yung pinaka-dream ko, namin.”

In terms of genres they want to explore together, JM and Fyang said they are game to try anything. “Gusto namin i-explore lahat,” Fyang said.

“Alam mo ‘yun, ‘yung hindi lang basta pang-kilig. Gusto rin namin sila saktan kahit papaano,” JM added, laughing.

Fyang agreed, saying, “Yes, ayaw namin mag-stick lang sa isang genre. Gusto namin, sa isang movie, andu’n na lahat ng genres.”

JM and Fyang have been attending acting workshops to make these dreams happen. She’s particularly amazed by the Meisner acting technique they’re being trained to adopt.

They’re experiencing a lot of firsts in the showbiz scene together. Thanks to their work, they also get to travel together. Recently, JM and Fyang experienced what it means to be each other’s travel buddy when they visited Dubai.

They say people get to know each other better when they travel together. So, we asked JM and Fyang: “If you could go on a road trip or travel together again, where would you like to go?”

“Japan,” Fyang quickly replied, explaining that it’s JM’s “dream destination.”

JM said he wants to visit places related to anime because he’s a huge anime fan. Looking at JM, Fyang told him, “Hayaan mo, pupuntahan natin!”

Showing enthusiasm and passion for acting, as well as the other aspects of being an artist or showbiz personality, these two are surely determined to go places together.