Prior to the success of their launching movie Almost Us earlier this year, fans of Fyang Smith and JM Ibarra had already heavily supported their love team when they made their big screen debut in the 2025 Metro Manila Film Festival blockbuster film Shake, Rattle, & Roll: Evil Origins. But for this year’s MMFF, Fyang admitted she is looking forward to working solo on her second horror film to date, Regal Films project Haunted Carnival.
“Nung pinitch sa akin, ako na lang daw so na-pressure ako. Wala naman (ako in-expect na kasama) pero nilatag na nila kung sino yung mga cast so sabi ko hindi puwedeng mag-hindi ako dito,” she shared with PUSH ABS-CBN in an exclusive interview during the Haunted Carnival official cast reveal event held last July 26.
The 20-year-old actress, who first joined showbiz after emerging as the Pinoy Big Brother: Gen 11 Big Winner two years ago, explained that even if she and JM will be working apart for the latter part of the year, their bond off-cam is still closer than ever.
“This is the first time na hindi kami magkasama sa isang movie. Masyado akong masaya sa mga gagawin niya. I’m very, very happy for him, lalo na madami pa siyang secret (projects) pa talaga. Meron siyang solo project. Meron siyang gagawin din. Madami siyang gagawin ngayong taon so I’m very, very happy for him!” she added.
Fyang shared that, more than thinking of the pressure of doing a film on her own, she is more focused on the excitement of getting the opportunity to work with some of the country’s most talented stars. “I’m happy also. I’m very happy na meron din akong solo project kasi ang makakasama ko dito sobrang bigat. THE Maricel Soriano, ang ating Heneral Luna (John Arcilla), and then Julia Barretto. Sobrang happy din ako na meron akong gagawin on my own. And I’m just very, very excited. Super excited ako na maka-work si Ms. Maricel and pressured kasi siyempre kailangan prepared ka pagdating sa set, to be on time, kailangan to respect everybody’s time. Sobrang excited talaga ako na ma-shoot itong movie na ito,” she explained.
Prior to working on horror films for Regal Entertainment, Fyang revealed just how much she loves the genre, even before she started acting, “Actually favorite ko ang mga horror movies. Kung makikita niyo ang history ng mga pinapanuod ko sa laptop ko, karamihan talaga dun horror kasi favorite ko talaga. Sobrang favorite ko ang horror. Anything, basta horror. Mas more on based on true stories, and then documentaries.”
Haunted Carnival is an official entry to the 2026 Metro Manila Film Festival. With story and direction by Joey De Guzman and written by Alan Tijamo, and John Paul E. Abellera, Haunted Carnival stars Maricel Soriano, John Arcilla, Julia Baretto, James Reid, Fyang Smith, RK Bagatsing, Ronnie Alonte, Charlie Fleming and Selyn David.