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MetroStyle Exclusive: "Ghosting" Stars JM Ibarra and Fyang Smith on the Digital Cover of Metro

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Lance Joseph Martinez

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1757552332468METRO COVER JM IBARRA AND FYANG SMITH COVER.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/>Fyang Smith and JM Ibarra, as photographed by Dookie Ducay | Check out @metromagph for behind-the-scenes clips</div><div> </div>It was the weekend, and this Metro digital cover shoot was not the only thing on the calendars of Pinoy Big Brother: Gen 11 alums JM Ibarra and Fyang Smith. Booked and busy with their projects together as the “JMFyang” tandem, as well as their individual gigs, scheduling their Metro comeback took longer than usual, but it was worth the wait.Fans who shipped the pairing of JM and Fyang may remember that <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/people/2024/12/24/never-before-seen-photos-from-pbb-gen-11-housemates-metro-photo-shoot-0934" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">in December of last year, the two were featured on Metro </a>with the other PBB: Gen 11 housemates. At the time, JMFyang was a tandem fans only dreamed up. Barely a year later, JMFYang officially became a love team, a treat for fans who followed their bond’s evolution from the reality show to the outside world.  From the PBB house, the two have ventured into the world of showbiz together. They&#x27;re discovering the industry&#x27;s inner workings side by side, traveling to places like the UAE for The Filipino Channel&#x27;s (TFC) Barrio Fiesta event, Taiwan for TFC&#x27;s Happy Hour, and locally, Siquijor for their Bench photo shoot.With their future bright and promising, Metro takes the futuristic route for JM and Fyang&#x27;s cover feature, time-traveling to a sweet escape in one of their dream destinations, Japan, through a shoot in a hip, Japanese-style restaurant, Salaryman, in the heart of BGC, Taguig. <div> </div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1757559738556Metro jm ibarra fyang smith embed 2.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/>On Fyang: Silver dress by AJ Javier | On JM: Black jacket by D.D.Daily and pants by Rubrinas</div><div> </div>With a nation drawn to and love-struck by love teams, JMFyang ushers in a new era in this showbiz culture, their fresh pairing delivering an authentic connection and effortless kilig rooted in friendship.Every generation presents a different story and a different approach to storytelling. Every loveteam is different, with its own strengths and distinct flavor. And Gen Zs JM and Fyang, whose personalities balance each other out (his cool, nonchalant demeanor and her jolly, unfiltered persona), found the perfect material to launch their emerging tandem.Coinciding with the observance of Ghost Month in the Lunar Calendar, iWant Originals’ latest romantic-fantasy series Ghosting, starring JM and Fyang, is taking the digital space by storm.The project marks the very first acting collaboration between Fyang Smith and JM Ibarra—fondly called “JMFyang”—and their debut as a Kapamilya loveteam already spells success. Directed by Theodore Boborol, the romantic-fantasy series follows the story of Jaja (Fyang), a college student who retreats to her grandmother’s provincial home after being ghosted, where she later meets Wilberto (JM), a mysterious local revealed to be a wandering spirit. For the uninitiated, “ghosting” is a modern relationship term where one suddenly stops communicating with the other without any explanation. What begins as Jaja’s personal journey of healing transforms into a once-in-a-lifetime romance that blurs the line between the living and the dead.In celebration of the series’ milestone, former Pinoy Big Brother: Gen 11 housemates-turned-loveteam Fyang and JM opened up about their reflections on and reactions to their first acting project together—from their intense preparation to the overwhelming support they’ve been receiving from viewers.<div> </div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1757384896837image_JM FYANG METRO0257.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div style="text-align:center"> </div>As first-timers in the acting scene, both admitted that they pushed themselves to undergo several workshops to bring justice to the script, embody their characters to the best of their abilities, and meet the expectations of their fandom.“Nag-workshop kami kasi first digital series namin. So, siyempre pinaghandaan namin. Ayaw namin na ma-disappoint ang lahat ng mga sumusuporta sa amin,” Fyang told Metro.Style.“Halos same lang kami ng preparations before kami sumabak sa project. Dumaan kami ng workshop, kahit sa labas ng workshop nag-script reading kami sa sariling oras namin dalawa. Pinaghandaan namin ‘yung role nang kaming dalawa since gusto namin bigyan ng magandang mapapanood ‘yung fandom namin,” JM added.But for Fyang, JM was not just a co-actor but also someone who helped her improve her delivery, especially since she grew up in Laguna and carried a natural accent.“Si JM, tinulungan niya ako na maalis ‘yung accent ko na taga-Laguna, ‘yung puntong Laguna. Tinulungan niya ako paano tanggalin ‘yon, kung paano i-deliver ng tama ‘yung lines. And kung paano ma-feel ng mga manonood ‘yung dapat nila ma-feel,” she revealed.Meanwhile, JM pointed out that their drive also stemmed from the pressure they placed on themselves as Kapamilya artists.“Gusto rin namin panghawakan ‘yung kalidad ng mga artista ng ABS-CBN Kapamilya. Ayaw na ayaw namin na mawala sa amin ‘yung ganoon. Gusto namin ma-maintain ‘yung quality na mayroon ang isang Kapamilya artist,” he stressed.<div> </div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1757388918837image_JM FYANG METRO cover 0651.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/>On JM: Jacket and pants by Diesel</div><div style="text-align:center"> </div>All that effort clearly paid off. Even just the trailer of Ghosting already generated more than 23 million combined views across YouTube and other social media platforms—an achievement that left the pair overjoyed.“Sobrang overwhelming po at hindi po namin ine-expect na ganoon pa rin sila kasabik na abangan itong first series namin, kasi since lumabas kami ng PBB, grabe na ‘yung pagsuporta na natatanggap namin sa kanila and until now, nando&#x27;n pa rin. Sobrang solid pa rin ‘yung pagsuporta nila,” JM said.“Natuwa kami noong malaman namin na umabot sa ganu’n kataas ‘yung views ng trailer, kasi kung iisipin, trailer pa lang ‘yun, what more pa kung napanood nila ‘yung buong series talaga,” Fyang added excitedly.For the two, who have previously dabbled in singing and dancing, being given the chance to headline a digital series written especially for them was a revelation in itself.“Natuwa talaga kami kasi nga, hindi naman namin in-expect na magkakaroon kami ng sarili namin na digital series na kami pa ‘yung lead role. Sobrang natuwa kami,” Fyang admitted.She also discussed how her character, Jaja, mirrors her real personality, saying, “Si Jaja, hindi naman nagkakalayo kay Fyang. I mean, personally, ako kasi maingay talaga ako ‘pag komportable ako sa mga tao. Super maingay ako, madaldal, maligalig, and si Jaja kasi, gano&#x27;n din siya. So, hindi na ako nahirapan masyadong kapain kung ano ‘yung ugali ni Jaja.” That is not to say, of course, that it was easy throughout because there were also scenes that required her to cry and pour out her emotions, for which fans gushed about how natural she looked in those scenes. <div style="text-align:left"> </div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1757389022097image_JM FYANG METRO cover 0646a.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/>On Fyang: Black mesh bodysuit by Maison Soriano </div><div style="text-align:center"> </div>On the other hand, JM revealed that his role as Wilberto was the exact opposite of his real-life persona, which meant more work on his end—something he credits director Ted Boborol for guiding him through.“Malayo si Wilberto sa akin. Sa backstory pa lang, behavior pa lang ni Wilberto, kailangan talagang mapag-aralan. Buti na lang, nandiyan din si Direk Ted para i-guide ako kung paano ko bubuuin ‘yung character ni Wilberto. Hanggang sa nasanay na lang ako sa delivery. Andiyan naman si Direk mapaloob o labas ng set, kahit magkahiwalay kami, tinutulungan niya ako kung paano i-maintain o paano buuin ‘yung character,” JM said. With all the green flags waving, viewers are drawn to Wilberto, and credit goes to JM for making his character extra likable.The pair also got candid about how working with each other made the experience even more memorable. For JM, Fyang’s presence made the taping lighter and less stressful.“Magaan si Fyang katrabaho. To the point na para lang kaming normal na nag-uusap—normal na magkausap, parang sa halos araw-araw namin magkasama sa trabaho. Every time na nasa set kami, hindi ko naramdam na ‘Ay, taping pala ‘to.’ Walang pressure, walang kaba. Kasi, magaan na sa aming dalawa,” JM revealed.<div> </div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1757389551583image_JM FYANG METRO cover 0464.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div> </div>As for Fyang, she didn’t hold back on her admiration for JM’s talent and generosity as a co-actor.“Sa akin, si Daniel [JM’s second name] ay masasabi kong isang magaling na actor. Although, mapagbigay din naman siyang actor kapag ka-eksena ko siya, pero kasi kapag siya katrabaho ko, feeling ko hindi ako nagtatrabaho. ‘Pag siya ‘yung kasama ko, mas lamang sa akin ‘yung masaya ako every time na kasama ko siya,” she shared. “Alam mo ‘yun, ‘pag wala siya, parang hindi ko dala ‘yung battery ko... Every time na kasama ko siya sa trabaho, kahit saan man, mapa-taping man, or kahit event lang ‘yan, masaya ako dahil nandiyan ‘yung battery ko,” she continued.“Battery talaga kita kasi malungkot ako ‘pag wala ka,” Fyang sweetly told JM during their Metro.Style interview, and JM couldn&#x27;t help but smile.When asked about their role models in acting, Fyang proudly mentioned her admiration for Maricel Soriano, Kathryn Bernardo, Vice Ganda, Anne Curtis, Toni Gonzaga, and Alex Gonzaga. Meanwhile, JM, who is into old films, looks up to Romnick Sarmenta, John Lloyd Cruz, Vhong Navarro, as well as Joshua Garcia and Elijah Canlas from today’s generation.Towards the end of the conversation, the two turned sentimental as they talked about their dreams as a loveteam. JM expressed his desire for them to one day star in a blockbuster film, despite the challenges posed by the digital shift in content consumption.“Ngayon, gusto ko magka-blockbuster film talaga kaming dalawa. Together, gusto ko talaga—lalo ngayon, mahirap ma-achieve ‘yung bagay na ‘yon, since digital na pinapanood ‘yung pelikula o serye,” JM said.<div style="text-align:left"> </div><div style="text-align:left"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1757390219530image_JM FYANG METRO cover 0591.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div style="text-align:left"> </div>Meanwhile, Fyang revealed that her personal dream is for both of them to be recognized individually through acting awards.“Siguro ako, sa aming dalawa, of course, best actor and best actress awards talaga. So, ‘pag may binibigay sa aming project, or kung may ibibigay man sa aming project, gagalingan namin talaga, kasi ang hirap talaga magka-awards, especially ‘pag big screen ang labanan,” she explained.As they continue to pursue their acting journey, one thing is clear: fans can expect more from “JMFyang,” whether on the small screen or the big screen. No one knows what the future holds, but their debut in Ghosting hints at a solid start and proves that their loveteam has what it takes to thrive.<div> </div>Photography by Dookie DucayMetro Head: Christina LopezSittings Editor: Geolette Esguerra, Kate Paras-Santiago, Randz Manucom, and Grace Libero-CruzManaging Editor: Rick FormalejoCreative Direction and Post-Processing by Vince CanlapanFashion Associate: Carla BuyoStylists: Adrianne Concepcion (Fyang), assisted by Via Abarra and Cent Bermas; Perry Tabora (JM), assisted by Kris de LeonMakeup Artists: Japeth Mike Purog (Fyang), assisted by Johnrey Milliano and Mark Ruben Camarao (JM), assisted by Cynthia BermejoHairstylists: Aryan Buccat (Fyang) and Mark Joseph Carbonilla (JM)Art Director: Alfred AmadoEditorial Assistants: Iya Baring and Krystel MatiasVideographer: Como Se Dice MediaShot on location: Salarymanx4649 in Forbestown, BGCSpecial thanks to iWant, Star Magic, Gidget dela Cuesta, Portia Dimla, Vaughn Hautea, Rens Dingli, and EESOME, BGC

Reflections, realizations, and reactions: Fyang Smith and JM Ibarra get candid on their hit debut series ‘Ghosting.’

Reflections, realizations, and reactions: Fyang Smith and JM Ibarra get candid on their hit debut series ‘Ghosting.’

Future Perfect: JM Ibarra and Fyang Smith's Team-Up Makes a Mark in the Hit Digital Series 'Ghosting'

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Future Perfect: JM Ibarra and Fyang Smith's Team-Up Makes a Mark in the Hit Digital Series 'Ghosting'

Lance Joseph Martinez

Published September 11, 2025 12:00 PM PHT

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Updated September 12, 2025 02:49 AM PHT

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