Long before they officially became paired onscreen in the sitcom Good Will earlier this year, David Chua and Shaina Magdayao had already become friends during his Kapamilya network days.

”Na-meet ko si Shaina, I think way, way back in 2010 sa Star Magic. Same kami ng management before sa ABS-CBN. Nakatrabaho ko siya, 2012 sa teleseryeng Kung Ako’y Iiwan Mo, with Jake Cuenca and Bangs Garcia.

"Then 2015, in the teleserye Nathaniel, with Gerald Anderson. At first, akala ko before may pagka-suplada, pero hindi naman pala. Kasi sosyal na sosyal ang hitsura, eh. But as you get to know her, habang tumatagal, mas nagiging jolly. Nalaman ko na mabilis siya patawanin at magaan kasama. I thought talaga na medyo parang masungit. Pero hindi naman pala," David said of his first impression of the actress.

<>"This year, we’re back together in Net25 sa Good Will. So ang haba na ng pagkakaibigan namin. More than one decade na kami magkakilala. Pero ngayon lang kami naging mas magkaibigan,” David told PUSH in an exclusive interview. 

READ: EXCLUSIVE: David Chua denies quitting acting for directing: ‘My first love is acting’

In a recent Instagram post, David shared snapshots from from Shaina’s 35th birthday, which they celebrated on the set as they prepared for the start of the show’s fifth season this month.

He wrote, “Happy Birthday to my amazing friend and coworker Shaina! It’s been such a joy working alongside you these past few months, your kindness, laughter, and hard work make every day brighter. Wishing you a year filled with love, happiness, and all the success you deserve. Enjoy your special day! Boss @shaina_magdayao 🎂”

READ: David Chua denies being a Gong Yoo copycat: ‘It’s my dream to play a Pinoy adaptation of ‘Goblin’’

Off camera, David admitted that he and Shaina also got closer through their common friend Rhiza Pascual. Through her, the Good Will star revealed how he was able to “court” his latest leading lady to join the show.

“She’s the owner of Live Nation Philippines. Nanay-nanayan ko yon. Siya naman ate niya yon. Dun kami nagkakilala nang mabuti. Nagkasama kami sa isang concert ng Coldplay sa Philippine Arena at dun na kami nagkakuwentuhan nang matagal. Although magkakilala naman kami. Pero dun kami ‘nagkasundo’ nang mabuti. Kaya nga natanggap niya yung Good Will, dahil po niligawan ko siya. Ibig sabihin po ng ‘niligawan,’ para maging member, maging leading lady namin sa Good Will. And then siya na man, mahusay at magaling at hinahangaan kong akres. Gusto rin niyang maging isang producer. Meron akong maliit na production company, yung Dark Carnival Productions, so hopefully naka pewede kaming mag-collaborate at gumawa ng pelikula. Pangarap ko na maging leading lady siya,” he revealed.

As an actor, producer, and director, David said he would love to do a project with Shaina that they can showcase internationally.

“Gagampanan ko kung ano mang role, leading man or character actor. Na sana kaming dalawa ang mag-produce para maipasa naming sa film festival abroad. Yun ang aming ambisyon. Yun ang napag-usapan namin. Yun po ang dahan-dahan naming ginawagang proyekto para matupad ang aming pangarap na makapasok sa film festivals abroad. Dahil siya kase, marami nang entry, e. Sa iba't ibang bansa. Eh ako po, wala pa akong napapasa. So yun po ang aking nais na mangyari, na magkaroon ng partnership, maging pelikula man yan o TV series, o film,” he explained.

Shaina’s films with director Lav Diaz have had her attending film festivals in Cannes, Locarno, Berlinale, Tokyo, and Busan.

When not busy shooting their scenes in Good Will, David admitted that Shaina in real life is a very transparent person.

“Akala ko nga dati magma-madre na ‘yan eh. May pagka-prim and proper, medyo may pagka-demure. At yun naman din ang gusto ko sa kanya kasi what you see is what you get. Lumaki siya sa showbiz, ako naman hindi naman ako child actor. Pumasok ako sa showbiz mga 18 years old na ako. So lumaki siya sa industriya ng showbiz. May mga tinatawag nga tayong showbiz friends, taping friends, na kaibigan lang kayo pag dating sa taping. After ng show niyo, medyo nagkakalimutan na. Pero si Shaina, hindi siya ganung klaseng tao. Matulungin din sa kapwa tao, matulungin sa pamilya. Yun ang nagustuhan ko sa kanya. What you see is what you get kay Shaina,” he revealed.

Another reason he and Shaina also get along is because of their passion for their advocacies.

David is the founder of Damayan sa Distrito Dos which reaches out to help those in need in the actor’s hometown of Manila. Shaina is a supporter of the Kythe Foundation which is a non-profit organization that provides psychosocial support to children with cancer and other chronic illnesses.

“Dahil sa kanyang mga charity programs, ako po ay natutuwa na mahilig siyang gumawa ng ganung programa. Bilang isang batang Tondo, laking Tondo, meron din  akong organisasyon na ginawa para din sa mga nangangailangan ng konting tulong. Kaming dalawa rin po ang nagkaroon ng partnership para sa pagtulong sa kapwa, lalo na sa mga kabataan. Mahilig sa bata ‘yan. Ako rin , mahilig din sa pagbibigay ng pagmamahal sa mga bata. Kaya nagkaroon kami ng koneksyon dun sa bawat hilig namin sa isa’t isa,” David added.