An Unusual Tandem

Eyebrows rose when it was revealed that Regine Velasquez and Mark Anthony Fernandez were going to team up for GMA’s first ever Koreanovela remake, 'Ako si Kim Samsoon.' Many doubted if these two would click but after two months on air, Regine and Mark have proven that their unusual tandem works. Text by Loretta G. Ramirez. Photos by Mitch S. Mauricio No doubt a hit on primetime television, Ako si Kim Samsoon is a romantic comedy that Filipinos have learned to love. With Asia’s Songbird at its helm and the charming Mark Anthony Fernandez playing Kim’s love interest, you only need to see one episode to see why this show is effective when it comes to entertaining the viewers. For the first time Working together for the very first time was indeed a minor obstacle that Mark and Regine had to hurdle. In fact, both went out of their way to get to know each other and build their rapport. “As actors kasi, like si Mark, he goes out of his way to know me," says Regine. "Siyempre, I also did the same. Ganun naman yun pag di pa masyadong magkakilala. So nagkakahiyaan pa ng konti pero we go out of our way to get to know each other.” She added that their relationship grew as Kim and Cyrus’s story together unraveled. “Nung umpisa talagang wala pa kaming rapport which is okay, kasi ‘yung characters namin, dapat lagi kaming nagbabangayan. Pero ngayon, I can see that he is already comfortable with me and ako rin, vice versa. Napansin din ni [Direk] Dom na nagkakaroon na kami ng rapport. Meron nga kaming eksena na nagbubugbugan kaming dalawa and we looked cute together,” shares the Songbird when we visited the set of Kim Samsoon. Mark, on the other hand, was very vocal in saying that he is in awe of Regine. Aside from being one of the favorite actresses and singers of his late father, Mark is also a fan of the legendary Songbird. “She's the best! I couldn’t ask for more,” says Mark, which sums up what he feels about working with Regine. The kilig factor Once the cameras are rolling, Regine and Mark become their characters who are madly in love with each other. But off-cam, the chemistry of these two cannot be denied. In one of their TV guestings, Regine said that she liked Mark’s eyes. “Very expressive 'yung eyes ni Mark at saka kailangan niyo talaga syang makita dito sa Kim Samsoon dahil ang gwapo gwapo nya dito. Sobrang gwapo!” says the singer-actress, which made Mark blush and smile. Not to be outdone, Mark also had only praises for Regine: “I don’t think walang ibang makaka-play ng role na ‘yun sa Pilipinas kundi her.” He also said yes when he was asked if he can fall for a girl like Kim. “Pwedeng, pwedeng, pwede,” while smiling and looking at Regine. These two started out as mere acquaintances but now that Ako si Kim Samsoon is at its peak, there is no doubt in our minds that they have become friends and their admiration for each other grew even further. Watch the show to prove that this unusual tandem really works. Tune in weeknights right after Mars Ravelo’s Dyesebel and fall in love with Cyrus and Kim. Tell us what you think of Mark and Regine’s tandem. Log on to theiGMA forums!