MANILA, Philippines – With Liza Soberano’s 18th birthday coming up in January, LizQuen fans are excited to know how she’ll respond to on-screen partner Enrique Gil’s courtship.

Ever since the two worked together in She’s the One in 2013, Liza, 17 and Enrique, 23 have been a popular on-screen couple.

Aside from their on-screen chemistry, Enrique has been open about having feelings for Liza off-screen too.

In an episode of Tonight With Boy Abunda, Enrique shared that he says “I love you” to Liza everyday. The question was prompted by their new film, Everyday I Love You, which has earned over P100 million in the box office.

Enrique wasn’t shy about sneaking in a teasing “I love you” to Liza at a press conference for the movie on November 13 either, much to the delight of those present.

Liza, on the other hand, has been more reserved, but hasn’t shut the door completely on the possibility of becoming a couple in the future.

“Pero ano yung sagot ni Liza doon sa ‘I love you?’” (But what’s Liza’s reply to the ‘I love you’s’?) asked reporters on November 13. Liza refused to answer their teasing questions in front of the cameras that were whipped out, and in front of Enrique. 

After much prodding and playful banter with the reporters, she eventually said, “Sabi kasi ng parents ko, wag daw mag a-‘I love you’ hangga’t hindi pa kami.” (My parents said, don’t say ‘I love you if you’re not officially together yet.)

After Enrique teased, “Nag a-‘I love you’ naman sakin ‘yan eh (She tells me ‘I love you’ anyway),” Liza admitted, “Nag ‘I love you’ naman ako sa kanya, nagtweet pa nga ako eh. Pero siyempre ‘I love you’ kasi he’s the person I’m with everyday, best friend ko siya, so siyempre love ko siya.”

(I’ve said ‘I love you’ to him, I even tweeted. But of course, ‘I love you’ because he’s the person I’m with everyday, he’s my best friend, so of course I love him.)

Liza tweeted “I love you” to Enrique on October 28, which was National I Love You Day.

Time with the family

Although Enrique’s feelings for Liza are well known, they aren’t an official couple – yet. Enrique is waiting for Liza to turn 18 in January before formally courting her.

In the meantime, the two have met each others’ families and often spend time with each other even when they’re not on set.

They shared that Liza had dinner with Enrique’s family during his older brother’s birthday.

When asked at the press conference what they like and dislike the most about each other, Enrique’s explanations included stories that weren’t just about Liza, but also involved her family.

Enrique likes that Liza “has a big heart, she always likes to give to people.” “Sinasabi ng mom niya, siya yung pinaka generous or giving [among her siblings] – nung bata ah, giving na siya nung bata. No ‘akin yan,‘” he said.

(Her mom says she’s the most generous or giving [among her siblings] – when she was a kid ah, she was giving already when she was a kid. No ‘that’s mine.’)

He also told reporters about the time he, Liza’s mom, and her grandmother were supposed to surprise her in New York. Her mom and grandma missed their flight, and she was really down.

It’s this occasional negativity that he pointed out about Liza. “Parang pag may problem na ganun, parang sira na yung araw niya, ganun. Ako, ayoko ng ganun kasi siyempre gusto kong makitang masaya siya.”

(When she has a problem, it’s like her whole day is ruined. Me, I don’t like that because I want to see her happy.)

In turn, a chuckling Liza admitted that she likes that Enrique is a very positive person. “Kahit na sa bad situation kunwari o malungkot siya (Even though it’s a bad situation or he’s sad), he always finds a way to turn that frown upside down.”

Why their tandem works

Before Liza, Enrique always starred opposite different leading ladies, because he didn’t want to be part of a love team.

“Ang sinasabi ko, sa previous love teams ko, compared to [this one], iba kasi kapag we really feel something, siguro that’s what sets our partnership [apart] doon sa iba. Siguro yeah, sa iba, magkalove team kami, but iba talaga kapag merong… meron,” said Enrique during the November 13 press conference.

(I always say, with my previous love teams, compared to [this one], it’s different if we really feel something, I guess that’s what sets our partnership [apart] from the rest. I guess yeah, with others, we were a love team, but it’s different when there’s… something.)

When prompted to explain what that “something” was, Enrique said, “Halatang may gusto.” (Obvious feelings for each other.)

“Wala [akong reservations kay Liza]. I mean nung una, I mean nung di pa kami magkakilala… just like yung ibang leading ladies ko. Siguro this time sabi ko, ayun gusto ko siya, may gusto ako sa kanya so.”

(I have no reservations with Liza. I mean at first, I mean when we didn’t know each other too well yet… just like with my other leading ladies. I guess this time I said, I like her, I have feelings for her.)

Splitting up on-screen

In spite of the success of their last two movies, Liza and Enrique are open to acting with other people.

“Kasi siyempre hindi naman po [kami] mag-ggrow as actors and as an actress kung hindi namin nakakatrabaho mga ibang artista sa industriya, saka we also need to grow separetly siyempre,” Liza said.

(Because of course we can’t grow as actors and as an actress if we don’t work with other artists in the industry, and we need to grow separately, of course.)

“Well depende po sa management,” said Enrique, but he added that he’s used to working without a love team partner anyway.

Still, co-writer of Everyday I Love You Vanessa Valdez, said that neither LizQuen nor their fans are ready for the two to star opposite other people.

“I think they can still grow together as actors… they can still tell a lot of stories as a love team,” said Vanessa. She also said that the two will reach a point that their chemistry will be similar to that of another famous love team, John Lloyd and Bea Alonzo.

“Kahit paghiwalay mo, diba kahit nagkabalikan sila, maganda diba… Tawag nga ni Bea Alonzo doon, si John Lloyd ay parang kanyang curly fries. Tuwing nilalabas diba parang sinusuportahan,” said Vanessa, referring to McDonald’s popular fries, that are known for only being released for limited times.

(Even though you split them up, even if they get back together, it’s still good… Bea Alonzo says that John Lloyd is like her curly fries. When you bring them out onscreen, they’re always supported by their fans.)

Enrique and Liza’s latest movie, Everyday I Love You, will be runinng for two more weeks. After that, they plan on releasing a new show in the first quarter of next year, though no other details were given. – Rappler.com