Former Survivor Philippines Season 2 castaways and real-life sweethearts Jef Gaitan and Marvin Kiefer are oblivious to whether they are a legitimate loveteam or not.

But being paired together in GMA-7's upcoming Dear Friend offering titled My Stalking Heart is an indication that management is testing the waters to find out if they have something worth developing.

"Okay lang maging loveteam kami, why not? Mas madali. If not, why not din? Kasi willing naman ako mag-mature din as an actress," Jef told PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) yesterday, March 2, during the presscon of My Stalking Heart at Eivissa Super Club on Tomas Morato, Quezon City.

Jef admitted that her first few scenes with Marvin felt awkward since they are not used to "acting as lovers" in front of the camera. Both are also neophytes in the business who are awed by working with Jennica Garcia and more experienced actors like Dexter Doria and Caridad Sanchez.

"Noong una, naiilang ako kasi pinapag-hug and kiss kami. So, parang 'yong personal life namin, 'yong privacy namin, nawala. Pero after naman nung first day, madali naman kaming nakapag-adjust," she said.

PAST WITH NYOY. Before Marvin came into Jef's life, there was  acoustic singer-songwriter Nyoy Volante. Jef never denied initiating the breakup with Nyoy after she felt that their relationship was not going anywhere.

Nyoy reportedly took the separation badly and he even let his ex-girlfriend know about it. But time eventually healed the wounds and the former lovers are now civil toward each other.

"Ang alam ko, we're in good terms," said Jef. "Because 'yong huli naming usap, meron siyang days na inamin niyang he's not okay. But the last time na kinausap ko siya, he's doing pretty well, he's making kuwento na about his new girlfriend. So, dun ko na naisip na nakapag-move on na siya."

She clarified, however, that Marvin had nothing to do with the breakup of her one-year relationship with Nyoy. The reason, according to Jef, was "personal differences... Magulo na kami," she said.

It was Survivor Philippines and not Marvin that paved the way for Jef to recognize that she wanted a fresh start: "Before I left for Survivor, gusto ko na ng freedom and then umalis ako, so hindi na-close lahat. So when I got there [Survivor's chosen location, Palau] doon ko na-feel na I'm free and ito pala 'yong gusto ko talaga. Pinanindigan ko na."

Speaking of past flames and bitter breakups, Nyoy was accused by singer ex-girlfriend Nina of running away with her money amounting to P1.4 million. Nina filed an estafa case against Nyoy before the Quezon City Regional Trial Court last year.

Jef was still with Nyoy during the time Nina came out in public to divulge the accusation.

"He has his story and Nina has her story," Jef commented.

She recalled Nyoy telling her, "The same explanation [given to the media] na it was more on investment. As a boyfriend-girlfriend, nagtulungan daw sila and now that they're separated, ina-ask na ni Nina 'yong mga itinulong niya noon."

But Jef would rather not dwell talking much about Nyoy and their past since she's now happy with her present relationship.