He started young in showbiz.

Remember Iking, the sidekick of Darna, which was then played by Angel Locsin?

That was Francis Magundayao, who began his career on TV as a commercial model at the age of four.

Now at 13, he stars as the young leading man of Ella Cruz in the afternoon soap Aryana.

Both have come from rival network GMA-7— where, interestingly enough— they never got the chance to work together.

He recounted, "I know her, pero hindi ko pa siya nakakatrabaho, nakikita ko lang siya."

It was the Kapamilya station that thought of pairing him with Ella on the soap Dahil sa Pag-Ibig, where Francis played the young Piolo Pascual and Ella, the young Cristine Reyes.

It was also during this time that he got to know the young actress, Francis added, "Doon ko nakilala ang tunay na Ella Cruz."

Does he have plans of courting his partner?

He grins and frankly answers, "Bata pa ako... Bawal pa ako manligaw."

So how does he feel about her?

"Nagkakaroon po ako ng attraction kay Ella pero 13 pa lang ako. Ang tamang edad para sa akin na manligaw ay siguro after college."

He is currently grade 7 at Grace College Caloocan, which is owned by his family.

While he's waiting for the right moment, his wish: "Sana mapanindigan ko. Di natin masasabi anong mangyayari pero sana magawa ko."

But one thing is certain: "Susunod ako kung anong sabi ni Mama or ni Daddy."

MOVING TO ABS-CBN. His transfer to channel 2 , he said, was a family decision, "Nag-agree kami, hindi nakabase sa isang tao."