Life After "Forevermore"

After “Forevermore”, I moved on to doing online promo for “Pangako Sa ‘Yo” and “Bridges Of Love”. Liza and Enrique naman went on finishing two movies in a span of 4 months: “Just The Way You Are” and “Everyday I Love You”. And fulfill other commitments put on hold because of "Forevermore"'s taping schedules. 

Just half of the overwhelming Fairview Terraces crowd
for "Just The Way You Are"

Backstage of JTWYA mall show with Liza

JTWYA premiere night

With Quen After JTWYA's premiere night

Even if hindi na kami magkatrabaho that time, LizQuen has become so special to me, my support for them continued. I went to their Fairview Terraces mall show for “Just The Way You Are”. Sobrang ako ang na-overwhelm sa dami ng tao. Punung-puno. Dun ko napatunayan na, ang laki pala talaga ng naging impact ng “Forevermore”. Since hindi kami nagkaroon ng farewell event sa show, dito nilubos ng tao ang pagpapakita ng suporta nila sa LizQuen. May mangilan-ngilan pa akong kapitbahay na nakita na nandun sa event, dahil malapit sa amin ‘yung venue, asking na ipasok sila somewhere na malapit. Ganun ka-siksikan ang mga tao.

LizQuen backstage of ASAP during
Star Magic Anniversary in 2015

LizQuen at It's Showtime's Anniversary show at Araneta

With Enrique at "Everyday I Love You" promo shoot

With Liza backstage of Araneta for It's Showtime

The film became a P100 million grosser by the end of its run. Napatunayan na ng LizQuen ang kanilang hatak outside "Forevermore". Soon enough, more TV appearances, endorsements, magazine covers and another movie are coming their way. 

But a big controversy happened to Enrique after “Just The Way You Are”. Without going through details, dahil alam naman na natin ‘yun, and it’s all in the past, it really challenged Enrique’s career, the public perception towards him, and his blossoming working and personal relationship with Liza. I didn’t really know what happened, so I had nothing to say then. I kept my silence – it was my way of supporting them. All I knew and believed then was the Enrique I loved as my workmate and friend.

Chilling with Quen backstage of GGV. This was after the "controversy".

Not to my surprise though, Enrique faced the media just a few days after the controversy broke out. He admitted his mistake, and apologized publicly. In my heart, I was right about the Enrique I knew and loved. Wala namang perpekto. Tao lang si Enrique, magkakamali just like everyone. Pero ang nakaka-proud… He was man enough to face it. Hindi ko kinunsiniti kung nagkamali man. But admitting that he committed something wrong was really something.

Before the "storm"...

At ang nakakatuwa sa lahat, when any girl could have left Enrique at that point, or chose to just keep quiet, there was Liza behind him, standing up for his partner. We even had an exchange of Viber messages then, defending Enrique based on what she witnessed. I texted Enrique, and posted on Instagram, na alagaan at ‘wag nang pakawalan si Liza, as “she is proving forever” like no other girl could do for him at that point. I received a thank you with a wink smiley from Enrique afterwards, surely agreeing to what I just said.

Quen and Liza at Star Cinema office

Parang bagyong dumaan ang nangyaring ‘yun sa LizQuen. Pero tulad ng mga bagyong nagdudulot ng baha’t pinsala, lumipas din ang pagsubok na ito. In fact, just a month or two after, pinalabas sa mga sinehan ang “Everyday I Love You” na kumita ng husto sa takilya, kahit hindi sila nakapag-promote  because sabay sa series ng shows nila abroad.

With "Serena" 

With "Tenten"

Liza's look test for "Dolce Amore"

Enrique's look test for "Dolce Amore"

The movie’s success led the way para umpisahang muli ang isang bagong journey nila… Ang teleseryeng “Dolce Amore”. It was November nung nag-trade launch ang series. In fact, I was part of its beginning. Nakasama ko pa si Sir Mark Angos during that time the concept was developed, and approved by July of 2015. I covered the show’s first look test with LizQuen and Direk Cathy. I even accompanied Enrique sa kanyang second guitar lessons. We were all looking forward to it because it was something new to the viewers, especially to LizQuen supporters who continue to grow steadily as each day passes.

Liza's 18th birthday celebration in ASAP

Dashing as Liza's escort as she turned 18

Though hindi ako naging official part ng “Dolce Amore” team, as I concentrated on “You’re My Home”, I made sure that I showed my full support to the show, bilang mga kapamilya ko sa Star Creative sang behind dito, at siyempre ang LizQuen. What I found touching was when I was talking to Liza and Enrique, they were telling me, “wish you were part of this”. Ako din. But sabi ko nga, I can and I will continuously be behind them kahit hindi na kami magkakatrabaho. At masaya ako na, nagsimula sa taas, at natapos ang “Dolce Amore” on a really high note. I’m so proud of everyone in the show, especially Liza and Quen. Two of the kindest people in this industry we are in deserve the best! 

I love LizQuen, forevermore!

As Direk Cathy said nga, “forever is what we make it”. At ‘yun ang napatunayan ko sa journey ko with LizQuen. Mula sa simulang walang katiyakan, sa tagumpay na ‘di inaasahan, sa pagsubok, sa muling pagbangon… Ang aking pagmamahal kina Enrique Gil at Liza Soberano bilang ka-trabaho, kaibigan, at dakilang fan ay “forevermore”.