What is it like to hang out with Kathryn Bernardo, Daniel Padilla, Ricci Rivero, Mimiyuuuh? | Lifestyle

Fans have likely wondered what it’s like to hang out with their favorite celebrities. You’d probably expect that parties with them would be full of glitz and glamour.

But after talking with actors Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla, social media influencer Mimiyuuuh, and athlete Ricci Rivero, PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) found out that a barkada get-together with them needs no frills to be fun, enjoyable, and memorable.

In an exclusive Zoom interview, the four recalled how they met, worked together, and hung out during the shoot of Pepsi’s video for the #PepsiHitSaSarap campaign.

With its musical concept, the video showcased everyone’s flair for singing. Similar to how Filipinos enjoy karaoke sessions, the group sang to a familiar tune but with the lyrics tweaked to express the need for Pepsi during kainan, no matter the ulam! It shows how eating together with friends and family — with music, delicious food, and bottles of Pepsi — can bring happiness to people. (Watch the video here.)

Kathryn said she was attracted to the concept of the video from the start because it was unlike any project from Pepsi. “Actually nung nakita ko pa lang yung [story] board na-excite na ako.”

From being asked to belt out a high note (something which she usually does not do) to working with the rest of the group in person — including Pinoy pop boy group SB19 — Kathryn noted how fun and memorable the whole experience was.

“Iba pa rin pag magkakasama kayo mag-shoot for that,” she said.

Ricci, a collegiate basketball player, had similar thoughts: “Sobrang saya sa set! Hindi mo ine-expect na puwedeng ganun kasaya. And same with Kath na napakanta ako kahit hindi naman ako kumakanta!”

But what made the shoot both easy and fun to do was the group’s natural chemistry. It seems that their barkada dynamic is apparent both on screen and off.

“Masaya na [naturally yung project], dun pa lang sa casting namin,” Daniel pointed out. “Ang bilis lang ng shoot kasi wala eh, natural lang, enjoy lang.”

“Ang dali rin kasing maka-relate sa [concept ng campaign],” Kathryn explained. “Kasi ganun kami [in real life]. Minsan, mapapakanta ka sa sobrang saya mo.”

For her part, Mimiyuuuh said that getting to work with Kathryn, Daniel, Ricci, and SB19 made the whole experience unforgettable. “Super honored po ako to work with them, especially po with Sir DJ. Ang saya po kasama ni Sir DJ sa shoot!”

(Before this revelation, Kathryn jokingly quipped: “Ang ‘tahimik’ ni Mimi nung shoot!”)

To get to know the #PepsiHitSaSarap brand ambassadors more, PEP.ph also asked them to reveal some of their personal “hit sa sarap” moments. Check them out below!

#HITSASARAP VACATION DESTINATION

Without missing a beat, Kathryn said, “Japan.”

“Masarap ang weather, masarap kasama ang mga tao, masarap ang food,” she explained. “I think [if] may No. 1 favorite [destination ako] aside sa mga beach dito sa Philippines, that would be Japan.”

#HITSASARAP PARTY FOOD AND DRINKS

“Sa drinks, for sure Pepsi,” Ricci revealed. “Every time may mga event, yun ang unang-una ko talagang sinasabi, na ito, sure na ang drink natin is Pepsi.”

Can you guess what Ricci likes to pair with his favorite drink? Well, it’s exactly the spread featured in their video! “Gusto ko yung very Filipino [na food]. Yung mga inihaw — barbecue, liempo, isaw. Yun yung trip ko and ng family — very Filipino talaga and local.”

#HITSASARAP BARKADA ACTIVITY

Daniel has definitely made many unforgettable memories with his friends over the years, but the simple moments when they hang out and eat together are truly the best.

“Yun naman ang best time eh, pag sabay-sabay kumakain,” he pointed out. “Lalo na [kapag kasama] yung mga kaibigan na matagal na matagal mo nang kaibigan, na hanggang ngayon kasama mo pa rin.”

#HITSASARAP PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT

A lot of people witnessed Mimiyuuuh achieve success after success, but when asked what achievement she holds dear to her heart, the vlogger said: “Yung makabili po ng house for my family. Kasi sobrang sarap po sa feeling nun.”

“And ang sarap din po na gigising ka sa umaga, may pool kayo. So parang iba po yung experience. Hit na hit po talaga sa sarap yung makapagbigay and to give back to my family.”

On top of the new friendships, another major perk from the whole experience was that Kathryn, Daniel, Mimiyuuuh, Ricci, and SB19 were featured for days on two major digital billboards in the United States.

Their #PepsiHitSaSarap campaign video was recently screened in the iconic Times Square, New York City, and in Downtown Los Angeles — an unexpected feat for everyone.

Daniel said he was very surprised that their video hit big in the States. “Hindi nabanggit sa amin na ganun pala. Sorpresa yata sa amin.”

He said he is “very thankful” for this career achievement because it made his mom, Karla Estrada, beam with pride.

“Siyempre masaya akong makita yung ermat ko and pamilya ko na masaya rin.”

Ricci revealed that he actually wanted to fly out to personally see their video showcased in Downtown Los Angeles, but didn’t push through with it because of the pandemic.

“Pero sobra talaga yung excitement ko nung nalaman ko [na] yung billboards umabot nga sa ganun kalayo, ganun ka-popular na place,” he said.

But while the group is grateful for the international recognition, they are all the more proud to have shown the world what Filipino generosity and togetherness are like through their collaboration with Pepsi.

“I think maganda yung representation ng [video] sa ugali nating mga Filipino, na kahit gaano kakaunti ang mayroon ka, shine-share mo with your family and friends,” Kathryn said.

“Like sa hapag-kainan natin. Kahit hindi naman marami yung pagkain mo, basta nandiyan pamilya mo, masaya ka — and kumakanta pa minsan kahit sobrang problemado.”

Mimiyuuuh added: “In any life situation po, we can always find happiness po sa lahat ng ginagawa natin, like even in the small things. Kunwari po, eating with family: We can make it happier by sharing stories, sharing experiences, and with Pepsi po.”

“Iba tayo mag-handle ng problema, and it’s something I’m proud of," Kathryn also said. “Masiyahin pa rin and talagang malalakas tayo. Di matitibag tayong mga Pinoy."

For more information and updates about the #PepsiHitSaSarap campaign, follow Pepsi Philippines on Facebook.