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Who would’ve thought that an experimental onscreen tandem will be equally successful in real life?
Who would’ve thought that an experimental onscreen tandem will be equally successful in real life? iGMA gives 10 reasons why Katrina and Sheena Halili’s friendship clicks. Text by Jillian Q. Gatcheco. With Interview by KC M. Abalos. Photos by Mitch S. Mauricio. 1. If you’ll remember, they’re from the same StarStruck (2003-2004) batch. The fact that they made names for themselves despite getting eliminated from the contest early on [Sheena was voted out a few days before Katrina in December 2003] proves that they’ve got what it takes to “dream, believe, and survive!” 2. They’re both Capricorns. Kat’s birthday is on January 4, 1986, while Sheena’s is on January 16, 1987. They even have a common birthday wish: “Next show, please!” 3. They do adlib onscreen! Says Kat, “Pag nagre-read pa lang kami ng lines, bigla na lang may lalabas [na nakakatawa]. Magsasalita [si Sheena] tapos mag-aadlib siya o ako. Pag maganda, gagamitin namin sa eksena!” Sheena adds, “Minsan pag nagkamali [okay lang], pero dahil tanga naman [character ko] e [nakakatawa pa rin]!” Both of them agree that MariMar’s direk Joyce Bernal is quite game when it comes to their kalokohan! 4. They have pet names. For some reason, they call each other “Mars!” Another term of endearment that they have is “insan (pinsan)” because they have the same last name [they once mentioned that they might be third-degree cousins]. 5. Kat often encourages Sheena to pursue comedy. “Actually, noong unang [mga taping] sa Marimar, sweet ang effect niya,” shares Kat. “Then one time noong nagbibiruan na kami, sabi ni direk, ‘Ay! Gusto ko yan ipasok [sa eksena]!’ Noong naging pa-sweet na naman yung image niya, pinagalitan ko siya -- sabi ko hindi pwedeng ganyan! Dapat ganito; mas maganda ito, mas mapapansin ka rito. Nalaman ko na magaling siya mag-comedy! Hindi niya alam yun.” Sheena remarks, “Parang siya yung coach ko dito! Haha!” 6. Sheena gives in when “Katrina the coach” is angry! “Lalo na pag wala siya sa mood!” says Sheena. “Tahimik na lang ako kasi pag humirit ka, lagot na! Hahaha! Pero maya-maya naman, loka-loka na siya ulit. Actually, parehas kaming moody.” What happens when they’re both in a bad mood? “Basta pag may tumahimik, tahimik na lang kaming dalawa, then maya-maya wala na, kulitan na ulit,” answers Kat. 7. They like making their personal music videos! “Sumasayaw-sayaw si Sheena!” Kat divulges. “Umiiyak [pa kami] at naglalagay ng tubig sa mata. Mayroon pa kaming MariMar [theme] na sumasayaw kaming dalawa. Tapos minsan jologs talaga na sayaw. Comedy basta!” 8. They’re happy that they’re not tied to one love team. Kat explains, “Para mas may challenge for me, gusto ko maka-eksena ko hindi [puro galing sa] StarStruck. Parang walang challenge kung kami-kami [lang ulit].” Kat has been paired with Tyron Perez, Dion Ignacio, Polo Ravales, Richard Gutierrez, Dingdong Dantes, and Richard Gomez already, while Sheena’s leading men include Tyron Perez, Rainier Castillo, Marky Cielo, and Arthur Solinap. 9. Kat is genuinely happy for Sheena’s success in MariMar as Monica. “Sabi ko, o, ang galing, ayan ha, binibigyan na siya ng eksena -- yun nga, nagpapatawa na siya. Iba kapag binibigyan ka na ng story, kasi nanggaling na ako diyan,” imparts Kat. “Ang galing e, from nowhere nabibigyan na rin ako ng story. Nagkaroon na rin ako ng [boyfriend sa plot], nagkaroon na ako ng sariling bahay -- ibig sabihin noon, napapansin ka na ng writer; ibig sabihin noon, may sense ka. Kasi kung wala kang sense, hindi ka na nila pagsasalitain, at di ka na magte-taping.” 10. They’ll never fight over a guy, because they have different tastes in boys! Sheena likes them moreno and “Pinoy na Pinoy,” while Kat prefers chinitos like Ken Chu! Maki-bonding pa kay Kat at Sheena through Fanatxt! Text KATRINA or SHEENA and send to 4627, or text GOMMS KATRINA ON or GOMMS SHEENA ON and send to 4627 to receive picture messages from their phones. (Each SMS costs P2.50 for GLOBE, SMART, and TALK N TEXT, and P2.00 for for SUN subscribers. Each MMS costs P5.00 for all Networks). Related features: Reinventing Angelika Evil yet endearing Gallery: MariMar press conference