They may not be putting a label on their ‘relationship’ just yet, but JM Ibarra and Fyang Smith aren’t hiding the affection. In the second episode of “Gandang Gabi Vice” (September 20), the loveteam got candid about their feelings and the little things that make ‘what they have’ extra kilig. Plus, they spilled some pretty wild tea that sent the whole social media world into 'detective' mode.
"Mag-jowa na ba kayo?"
First up, the loveteam took a little trip down memory lane and looked back on their “Pinoy Big Brother” days. Did you know that, just like JM and Fyang, Vice Ganda once dreamed of becoming a “PBB” housemate, too? In fact, Vice auditioned for the first “PBB” Celebrity Edition, but unfortunately didn’t make the cut.
As the candid conversation got going, JM and Fyang revisited their “PBB Gen 11” era in 2024, which Fyang described as truly special because not everyone gets the chance to live inside Bahay Ni Kuya. She may have a few regrets about her journey as a whole, but she's happy and grateful, especially for the opportunities that poured in after the Big Night.
JMFyang also shut down the assumption that “PBB” is scripted. Sure, the episodes may be edited for television, but the moments inside the house are real. And one thing that definitely wasn’t scripted was the closeness that grew between them.
“Naging happy crush ko [si JM] sa loob [ng Bahay Ni Kuya],” Fyang admitted. The crowd got even louder when Vice cornered JM and asked him if Fyang was also his first crush inside the house. JM didn’t spill all the tea, but he did admit that he only started liking Fyang when they were already in the outside world.
In the middle of all the teasing, Vice noticed that the usually garrulous Fyang was extra careful when talking about JM. Then JM told Fyang, “Masaya na tayo, eh,” which was all Vice needed to hear before asking the million-dollar question, “Mag-jowa na ba kayo?”
Fyang answered, “Hindi pa. Hindi namin minamadali. Kasi kung pupunta man kami doon, gusto namin i-enjoy muna ’yung journey namin nang magkasama.” JM, meanwhile, kept things direct but sincere, saying that while he and Fyang aren’t officially together, “basta gusto ko siya.”
Well, the feeling is definitely mutual. Fyang admitted that she likes JM, too, because he has the qualities she looks for in a guy, then casually mentioned his smile and lips among the things she likes about him. Vice then cheekily asked, “Na-kiss mo na ’yan?” Fyang answered, “Oo naman! Sa ‘Almost Us!’” only for JM to jump in, "…Lang?"
Asked what it’s like kissing each other, Fyang replied, “Malambot ’yung labi niya," while JM, a man of few words, looked much more willing to demonstrate the answer than explain it.
"Kailan mo ako sasagutin?"
Getting to know a person is all about asking the right questions. Turns out, Meme Vice isn’t the only one who knows how to come up with the perfect questions because JM and Fyang do, too.
The tandem talked about their student days, which revealed their opposite personalities. Fyang confessed to being a rule-breaker. She even changed the contact number linked to her school ID notifications so she could cut classes.
JM, on the other hand, was the more studious academic achiever. Fyang herself vouched for this, as she saw his scholastic medals and certificates displayed in his family's home in the province, which also led to a throwback to JM’s student-journalist days.
Proving he still had the skill, albeit a little shy, JM delivered a mock live report featuring Vice and the Geng Gang as his subjects, followed by a pretend-interview with Fyang, whom he called the “pinakamagandang dilag” in his eyes.
But he could only ask her one question, and that would be, “Kailan mo ako sasagutin?” Fyang boldly shot back, “Gusto mo bang sagutin na kita ngayon?” to which JM replied, “Pwede ba?”
If JM’s query was already juicy, he definitely wasn’t ready for Fyang’s even more explosive question, “Gusto mo bang ako na ’yung forever mo?” He answered with sincerity, though, “Ilang beses ko naman na nasabi na, basta, willing to wait ako. Pero kapag kasi dumating na ’yung araw na ’yun o panahon na ’yun, for me, ’yun na.”
Fans watching in the studio also got the chance to drop their questions for the pair. One asked, “Binigyan mo ba si JM ng camera, shoes, necklace and bracelet?” Fyang confirmed the necklace and bracelet, saying she wanted him to get used to accessorizing. Unfortunately, JM lost the bracelet during an out-of-town event.
That's when we learned that gift-giving is Fyang’s love language, while JM’s is basically everything except words of affirmation. According to Fyang, he's more into 'lambing' and hugs, which prompted Vice to ask whether JM likes kissing Fyang, too. Fyang said they haven’t reached that point yet, but Meme Vice was not buying it, joking, “Mamatay na sinungaling?!” The two just laughed and played along.
Another fan asked if it was true that they had fought during their Mt. Ulap hiking trip, which JM denied, sort of. According to him, it wasn’t a full-blown quarrel, just a little 'tampuhan' after something Fyang did the night before led to a 'sermon' from him. But, 'tampuhan' and all, JM has already accepted every side of Fyang, especially her impulsiveness.
Finally, a fan asked if Fyang had ever felt jealous of any actresses. She said no, because he has never given her a reason to feel that way. “Never niyang pinaramdam sa akin na kaselos-selos ’tong babaeng ’to,” she opened up. And that sense of security says a lot about how JM makes her feel.
"At least, ako, mahal ng katabi ko"
At one point in the interview, Fyang was challenged to react to some of the nastiest comments from netizens, first as the calmer, more composed version of herself, and then as the real, unfiltered Fyang we all know.
The first comment tagged her as “squammy," which is a slang for "ugaling squatter," referring to people with trashy behavior. At first, Fyang calmly explained, “I think I'm just being expressive kung ano 'yung gusto kong sabihin, ano ‘yung gusto kong gawin. Iba kasi 'yung stereotype nila na kapag artista ka kailangan mahinhin ka.”
But if the unapologetic Fyang were answering, she’d go straight for, “At least ako mahal ako ng katabi ko. Ikaw, mahal ka ba?”
The next comment called her "basura ang ugali." Fyang tried to stay sweet at first, and then switched to her real self as she clapped back, “Excuse me? Kung basura ugali ko, eh 'di sana natampal na kita.”
Another harsh comment read, “Grabe ’yung combo nito, bobita, talentless, magaspang pa ugali.” In her softer response, Fyang admitted she can be a little “bobita” sometimes, especially when she’s sleep-deprived. But she drew the line at being called talentless, as she knows what she brings to the table.
But once the filter was off, Fyang went fiery, “Sa pagkabobita, syempre minsan tanggap na rin ’yan. Kumbaga tayo, tanggapan na lang talaga kasi ’yung nag-comment n’yan feeling ko bobita rin naman siya. Talentless? No, hindi ako talentless. Sumasayaw ako, may album nga ako, eh."
Fyang didn’t deny having a “maldita” side, either. But that version only comes out around people who have done her wrong. In her view, they’re just getting the energy they deserve.
Deep Truth
If their earlier questions brought the kilig, the “Deep Truth” segment brought the tea. The Kapamilya pair read statements that Vice Ganda and the Geng Gang would confirm as either “trot” or “charot."
First up, JM's statement, "May sinugod akong direktor dahil binastos si Fyang." The verdict? Truth.
According to Fyang, the incident happened recently during a content shoot, where the director allegedly made a lewd comment about her. “Parang umabot sa point na, syempre, ang ikli ng suot, naka-tube lang ako. Tapos una pa lang naiilang na ako kasi ang dami niyang sinasabi. Pero, ako, syempre dahil direktor siya, respectful ako,” she disclosed.
The situation escalated when the assistant makeup artist told Fyang that she had heard the director make the remark, “Ang sarap mo,” referring to Fyang.
"Sobrang nabastusan ako kasi nagsumbong sa akin ’yung assistant ng makeup artist ko. Sabi niya, ‘Sabi nu’ng direktor mo, ang sarap mo raw.’ Tapos nag-chat na ako [kay JM].” Fyang messaged JM because she felt she couldn’t handle defending herself at that moment.
Fyang reenacted how JM confronted the director. According to her, JM first went to her dressing room to ask what happened and who the director was. And then JM called the director over, asking, “Halika rito. Ano’ng sinasabi mo kay Fyang?” The director denied saying anything inappropriate, but the assistant makeup artist stood by what she heard, prompting Fyang to speak up as well.
JM really played the protector there! Vice Ganda gave him the praise he deserved, and the whole studio felt kilig when he said that while he may not be able to shield Fyang from every bit of online bashing, if there are moments when he can stand up for her, he will.
Meanwhile Fyang’s statement was, “May isang babaeng nagyaya kay JM sa isang event para umakyat sa kwarto.” This was shockingly true.
According to the “Will You Fake Marry Me” stars, this happened during a Star Magic event, when an actress reportedly invited only JM to an after-party in her room. JM declined the invitation, “Ngumiti na lang ako kasi baka magmukhang wala akong respeto, eh.”
He didn’t hide it from Fyang either. “Nalaman ko kasi nagsabi siya sa akin,” Fyang revealed. And while there was a hint of 'gigil' in the way she narrated the story, Fyang stressed that she didn't feel threatened because she trusted him. “Alam ko rin kasi na hindi siya aakyat.”
Pressed for more details, Fyang offered two little clues to the mystery – the actress is older than her and is an ‘Englishera.’
Watch the full "Gandang Gabi Vice" episode with JMFyang for free on iWant (for Philippines-based users only).
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