It is undeniably charming to see two stars who genuinely enjoy each other’s company, both on-screen and off.
Barbie Forteza and David Licauco—affectionately nicknamed "BarDa" by fans—recently sat down with PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) to talk about the spark behind their chemistry as well as their love languages.
BARDA ON FIRST IMPRESSIONS AND LESSONS LEARNED FROM EACH OTHER
What were their first impressions of each other?
At the Closeup Moving Closer Music Video Watch Party on May 17, 2025, at Ayala Malls Circuit, Barbie said: "Sobrang ganda. Sobrang like, aga, ganun. Sobrang aga, sobrang prepared.
"Sobrang fresh ng breath. Sobrang cool, sobrang fresh ng breath ng David."
David threw in, "Sobrang fresh ng breath mo," before adding the lessons his screen partner had unwittingly taught him: "Marami ako na natutunan. Ang natutunan ko, siyempre, yung start, lagi ako late. Iyan yung talaga yung pinakanatutunan ko.
"And to be professional in terms of working dahil before, medyo hindi ako aware sa showbiz.
"So, you really opened my eyes.
"In showbiz, being on time, being professional, yun. At saka napakabait ni Barbie."
Barbie, ever playful, teased him: "Natutunan mo din bang mahalin?"
David paused for a moment before answering: "I think."
Smiling, Barbie further asked: "You think? You love?"
David simply replied: "You?"
It was Barbie’s turn to reveal the admirable qualities of her leading man.
"Ako naman, ang natutunan ko kay David sa tagal naming magkatrabaho, yung pagiging chill niya talaga sa lahat ng bagay.
"Na para sa akin, napakalaking tulong nun kasi, ako naman, mabilis akong mataranta. Ako naman yung tipo ng tao na... siya yung kalma. So siya yung nagpapakalma sa akin."
She continued, "Tapos nakikita ko na kapag may problema, tino-troubleshoot niya agad.
"E, kasi businessman din naman, so, sanay siya sa ganyan. Yung mag-troubleshoot ng mga bagay-bagay, ganyan.
"Kumbaga yung mindset niya, nandun agad sa solusyon. Solusyonan muna natin, at saka na tayo mag-react.
"So, yun yung mga natutunan ko sa kanya. Totoo palang opposites do attract."
BARDA’S LOVE LANGUAGES
Both single, the two are currently focused on their love team.
One kilig moment during the interview came when they discussed their love languages.
Barbie said: "Siguro yung love language na nare-receive ko galing sa kanya, mas ano, mas words of affirmation, ganyan.
"Mahilig siyang mangumusta, mahilig siyang nagsasabi ng... totoo ito, ha, hindi ako nang-e-echos.
"Pag feeling niya down ako that day, nagsasabi siya ng, ‘Ganda mo ngayon, ha,’ ganyan. Ayan, mga words of affirmation."
She also mentioned David’s thoughtful gestures: "Tapos, pag nararamdaman niya antok na ako, binibilhan niya ako ng coffee, mga acts of service, gift-giving. Halos lahat naman."
Barbie jokingly added, "Ang iniintay ko na lang talaga yung physical touch. Iniintay?!"
David laughed and responded: "Hmmm. Si Barbie kasi, uhm, iniintindi niya ako. So, anong tawag dun? Acts of service?
"She understands me like how I am.
"She would always ask me kung kumusta ako, 'Okay ka lang ba?' Di ba lagi mo sinasabi iyon?"
He asked Barbie, who nodded in agreement.
David continued: "Tapos, uhm, meron namang physical touch, ha? Nagha-hug naman tayo.
"At saka words of affirmation din. Sinasabi mo ang galing ko, congrats sa ganito, ang cute mo, ganun."
Barbie smiled, "Mga ganyan. Mas reassurance ganyan, words of affirmation, mas ganyan kami."
KILIG, THE BARDA WAY
Is their kilig for reel or for real?
Barbie's reply: "Pag kinikilig ako, hindi ko masagot...
"Hindi, pag kinikilig na lang ako, mahilig lang akong ano... kasi sobrang daldal ko, di ba? Sobrang OA kong tao.
"Pero pag totoong kinikilig ako, tahimik ako. Baliktad.
"Pag legit yung kilig, mas nako-conscious ako, mas tahimik, mas nakatingin lang sa baba."
David, on the other hand, would openly admit it: "Ako, usually, sinasabi ko sa kaibigan ko na, 'Uy, bro, bro!' ganyan. 'Kinikilig ako,' mga ganun. Sini-share ko.
"Kinikilig ako sa sarili muna tapos te-text ko yung kaibigan ko."
What signs would indicate that their closeness has deepened into something more?
The Kapuso actress replied: "Siguro kapag nakakapag-share na ako ng anything personal about my life or kahit about my day, ganyan.
"Na I just catch myself saying na, 'Ay na-share ko sa kanya yun?' yung ganun. Yung masu-surprise ako na, 'Ay close na pala kami?'
"Tapos kapag hindi ka na niya jina-judge na parang free ka mag-open up sa kanya, so, ayun."
David added: "For me naman, when you can be silent around that person, like, you don't have to talk.
"You know, just the presence? It's just there. That's enough. So, yeah, I'm close to that person when I can be silent."
BARDA’S AWKWARD BUT FUNNY MOMENTS
Lastly, what's an awkward moment for them?
Barbie recounted a funny behind-the-scenes tidbit: "Yung pag kunyari natutulog ako, tapos biglang nag-actors in na, I didn't have time to freshen up, ganyan, yun.
"Lakas ng loob na lang.
"Pero pag kunwari, ano, may enough time to prepare, I really see to it na mag-toothbrush para fresh, hindi nakakahiya. Ayun."
David chimed in, "Well, with Barbie, there was never a time naman. So, yeah, lakas ng loob na lang."