The 2018 movie The Hows of Us turned out to be a blessing for Kathryn Bernardo and Ria Atayde.
They became fast friends on the set when they least expected it.
Ria recalled her first meeting with Kathryn to PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) and a small group of media at the launch of KFC's newest menu item, the Chaco, last May 7.
She said, "With Kath kasi, parang, before we started shooting the movie, hindi naman kami chummy-chummy, you know?
"We never really got to know each other beyond 'hi, hello' at events. Parating 'hi, hello' lang.
"And then nung nag-movie, parang ako, 'Ah okay. Okay pala siya.' And I think siya, same with me. 'Ah, okay pala siya.'
"Then there. Ever since we finished How of Us, we've been inseparable. Also with Gege."
The "Gege" she referred to was their film co-star, spoken word artist Juan Miguel Severo.
Ria also shared she has always been close to the family of Daniel Padilla, Kathryn's boyfriend.
She is the daughter of Sylvia Sanchez, who is close to Karla Estrada, Daniel's mom.
"Growing up, I was close to Daniel's family," Ria said, "Our families are family friends, so that hindi naman surprise why I still hang out around him."
THE GIFT OF FRIENDSHIP
In a separate interview in April, Kathryn expressed how happy she is about her newfound friendship with Ria.
"Feeling ko, sobrang tagal na namin magkakilala ngayon," she said.
"Kasi si Ria, nakikita ko siya pero hindi kami talaga nakakapag-bond. First time lang talaga nung nag-shoot kami ng The Hows of Us.
"And super na love ko siya kasi she's very funny, she's very real, she's weird like me. She loves to eat like me, so ang dami naming pinagkasunduan."
Kathryn described this newfound friendship as one of the most beautiful gifts she received from 2018.
"Yung friendship na nabuo until now, ito yung klase na friendship na ike-keep ko for forever."
GOOD INFLUENCE
Ria, on the other hand, shared what she appreciates the most about Kathryn.
"It goes both ways. We've been able to establish a friendship with trust, honesty, and, you know, we both are able to give each other advice.
"It's good. It's a really good freindship... She's been a good influence on me.
"Di ba, I told you I don’t like makeup and all like that? She's influenced me to fix myself.
"I mean, it's not much. Yung mga kaartehan in life, natutunan ko sa kanya.
"She's also a very good supportive friend. I really appreciate her... Parang siya Ate kahit na she's younger than me, e.
"Especially since I've only been in the industry four years this year, so when it's mga work-related stuff, I’m able to ask advice from her."
FRIENDSHIP PIERCING
Back in February, Kathryn, Ria, and Juan Miguel celebrated their friendship with a "friendship piercing."
Both Kathryn and Ria said that the three of them had been planning to do it since filming the movie.
Kathryn recounted to PEP.ph in April, "Actually, ang tagal na namin napag-usapan, pero naduduwag kaming lahat.
"Ayaw pa namin gawin until one time, sabi namin, 'Kailan ka free? Kailan ka free? Tara na, gawin na natin habang free pa lahat.'
"So ayun, nagpa-pierce kami kasi parang ginagawa namin, sabi ko, every milestone ng buhay natin, magpa-pierce tayo.
"So, ito, for Hows of Us kasi sa friendship namin. And then, may gusto pa kami next, pero pinapaalam ko pa kay Mama kasi sabi niya muhka na raw akong rakista.
"After the movie naman sana, so ayun. Pareho kami nagka-friendship piercing."