Here's how Carmina Villarroel and Zoren Legaspi portrayed a broken marriage despite real-life relationship

Contrary to their real-life relationship, Carmina Villarroel and Zoren Legaspi had to portray a broken marriage for their upcoming series.

In the "Stories From the Heart: The End Of Us" press conference on Wednesday, Carmina and Zoren said that they will star in a drama together as the lead characters for the very first time. However, they're not acting as loving partners, but as partners trying to get rid of the other.

According to Director Zig Dulay, Carmina and Zoren's experience as a couple enabled them to bring out each other's emotions even though they have not gone through broken trust and deceit like their characters.

"Pag nag-aaway sila sa eksena, minsan alam nila nakuha na nila. After ng take, nagbibiruan na sila. Laking ambag na real-life couple sila. History ito para sa kanila," the director said.

["When they fight in the scene, sometimes they know when they've got it already. After the take, you'll see them joking around. It's a big help that they're a real-life couple. This is historic for them."]

Although they didn't go through betrayal as seen in the show, Carmina said that she was able to execute the emotions well.

"When I get to the set, I am the role... Ako si Maggie kaya nalalabas it's real, it's authentic. I was Maggie there, not Carmina," the actress said.

["When I get to the set, I am the role... I am Maggie that's why what comes out is real, is authentic. I was Maggie there, not Carmina."]

Zoren, meanwhile, said that since he didn't experience his character's turmoil, he had to be very creative and really prepare for his scenes.

"Kaya ako nagkukulong sa kotse. Doon ko dini-digest," he said. "Gusto ko magpakita ng something new as an actor. Gusto ko umiyak nang kakaiba."

["That's why I lock myself in the car. I digested it there. I want to show something new as an actor. I want to cry differently."]

Zoren said he wanted to show their twins, who have also launched their acting careers, his serious side.

"Dito sa bahay ako pinagtatawanan nila. Whatever I do, pagtatawanan nila kahit gaano kaseryoso ginagawa ko. With this project, I needed to push myself para hindi ako pagtawanan ng dalawa," Zoren joked. "I need to set an example sa kambal. They're doing shows now."

["They laugh at me here at home. Whatever I do, they laugh at me no matter how seriously I do something. With this project, I needed to push myself so they won't laugh at me. I need to set an example for the twins. They're doing shows now."]

After filming, Zoren was satisfied with what he and Carmina achieved.

"Nabunutan ako ng tinik. At least hindi ako pagtatawanan ng dalawa [It's a relief. At least the two won't laugh at me]."

Carmina clarified that Mavy and Cassy laugh at their dad because Zoren is the clown and comedian at their home.

"I am very, very proud of you, Tatay, in this show because kakaiba ipinakita mo. I'm saying this as your co-actor, you gave your 101%. Noong binabato mo sa 'kin 'yung emotions mo, ni-re-reciprocate ko lang. Talagang job well done."

["I'm very proud of you, Tatay, in this show because you showed something different. I'm saying this as your co-actor, you gave your 101%. When you were throwing your emotions at me, I was just reciprocating it. Really, job well done."]

"Stories From the Heart: The End of Us" revolves around a married couple who gets torn apart after the husband cheats. However, they find themselves reigniting the relationship during the process of annulment.

It is set to premiere on December 20.

—MGP, GMA News