JM Ibarra and Fyang Smith are truly living their best lives right now. They couldn’t even find the right words to describe just how blessed they feel with all the opportunities coming their way. From working on exciting projects to traveling to places they’ve never been before, everything feels like a dream come true.
Recently, they flew to Dubai for a show. JM feels like he’s still wandering the Dubai desert of memories. He says it still feels surreal that they were part of the same stellar lineup as amazing artists like Darren Espanto and Morissette Amon. And of course, what made it more special was that he and Fyang got to experience it together.
Another major highlight in their careers so far is getting to be part of the country's longest-running Sunday variety show, “ASAP,” which marked its 30th anniversary last February. JM and Fyang were part the kick-off event for the show's year-long celebration last March 2, a moment that Fyang described as both overwhelming and surreal. She admitted feeling pressured to share the stage with industry icons, but at the end of the day, they saw it as an honor. JM echoed the sentiment, saying, "Noon, pinapanood lang namin sila sa TV."
When asked which artists they dream of collaborating with on "ASAP," Fyang mentioned Vice Ganda and Anne Curtis. Meanwhile, JM couldn’t hide his huge smile as he had just ticked off a major goal on his bucket list, which is to share the stage with Mr. Pure Energy himself, Gary Valenciano. He admitted it was nerve-wracking, but in the end, he's proud and satisfied with his own performance.
JM and Fyang, or JMFyang to their shippers, have only grown closer since stepping out of the "Pinoy Big Brother Gen 11" house. When asked to rate their level of closeness from 1 to 10, JM quipped, "Hindi sapat ang 10." Their bond is so tight that if they ever achieve their dream of starring in a multi-genre movie together, it'd be easier to pull it off since they already know exactly what would make each other laugh, cry, and everything in between.
This reminded them of a recent acting workshop they attended. In one activity, they had to improvise a heavy drama 'scene.' Because JM knows Fyang’s emotional core so well, he tapped into a trigger that instantly moved her to tears. The 'scene' turned out so intense that they struggled to shake off the emotions that surfaced. They were still crying even after the coaches called 'cut.'
It’s moments like these that show how much they’re learning and growing together, whether in solo or team projects. They’re each other’s support system and biggest cheerleaders. "Hindi kami nawawala sa likod ng isa’t isa, eh," JM confessed, making Fyang visibly kilig. And when it was her turn to speak, she jestingly asked JM to cover his ears before admitting, "Every time may solo ganap siya, sinasabi ko naman sa kanya, ‘Kaya mo ’yan! Galingan mo!’ Pantanggal lang ng kaba."
They also make sure to keep each other grounded. Amid all the loud cheers from fans, at the end of the day, they’re the ones who remind each other where they started. And whenever they talk, it still feels like they're the same people from Bahay ni Kuya—just a little wiser.
Fyang admits that she wasn’t always this mindful of her words and actions. "Hindi ako nag-iisip," she confesses, explaining how she used to say whatever was on her mind without filter. “To the point na kahit maraming tao, ‘yung bunganga ko talaga straight to the point, wala akong pakialam.” But over time, she’s learned to hold back a little, and to keep her playful side in check unless she’s with people she’s really close to. It's something that JM has taught her. "Kasi naiinis siya ‘pag maingay ako,” she laughs.
While Fyang has grown in mindfulness, JM has found more happiness. Compared to before, when his mind was constantly occupied with worries about his family’s future, he now allows himself to enjoy life more.
In a way, they balance each other out. JM teaches Fyang to be more cautious, while Fyang brings lightness into JM’s life. It’s an unspoken give-and-take that just makes sense for them.