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MetroStyle Exclusive: In Conversation With JM Ibarra and Fyang Smith

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<div><strong></strong><strong><em></em></strong><em></em><em></em></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1743076902786487255073_18495184117047908_336514114144385942_n.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">JM Ibarra and Fyang Smith | Photo from Star Magic</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>In matching denim outfits, <em></em><em></em><strong><em>Pinoy Big Brother: Gen 11</em></strong> alums <strong>JM Ibarra </strong>and<strong> Fyang Smith </strong>attended the press conference <strong>Star Magic</strong><span style="margin:0px;padding:0px"><strong> </strong></span>organized to put the spotlight on them. </p><p>JM and Fyang are fresh from a huge fashion moment at the<strong> Bench Body of Work </strong>show, where they confidently showed their beach-ready bodies on the runway. Looking back, JM said he really worked out, so he had no qualms about rocking a tank top onstage. Fyang, on the other hand, said that since she&#x27;s thin, she didn&#x27;t feel the need to limit her food intake more than usual; it was important for her to eat just enough to have energy for the show. &quot;<em>Ang tamad ko mag</em>-gym,&quot; she admitted, adding that she plans to workout in the gym soon in time for summer. &quot;<em>Mga bandang</em> April, promise <em>ko sa inyong lahat</em>, <em>mag</em>-<em>gy</em>-gym <em>na ako</em>.&quot;</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1743076945125485762445_18494300989047908_8737003762843397569_n.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Fyang backstage at the Bench Body of Work | Photo from Star Magic</span></span></span></div><div> </div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1743076976586486174220_18494300293047908_4837859980464075625_n.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">JM backstage at the Bench Body of Work | Photo from Star Magic</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>JM and Fyang said they had many unforgettable moments during the Bench show. But for JM, what really stood out to him was the chance to be among big stars like Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes, who they did not expect to make an appearance at the event. &quot;&#x27;<em>Yung mga ganu&#x27;ng </em>icons, <em>nakakataba ng puso na makita sila ng personal. &#x27;Yung mga hinahangaan namin,</em>&quot; he told <strong>Metro.Style</strong>.</p><p>&quot;<em>Ako rin</em>, <em>hindi ko ine</em>-expect <em>na nandu&#x27;n si</em> Ms. Marian. <em>Grabe</em>, <em>sobrang na</em>-starstruck <em>ako</em>,&quot; Fyang added. &quot;<em>Sa lahat ng artistang nakita ko</em>, <em>kay</em> Ms. Marian <em>talaga ako na</em>-starstruck. <em>Sobrang ganda</em>!<em></em>&quot;</p><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-0" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DHeVF1RP_3O/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=810&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A2541475.7%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="945" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-0" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>From Bench Body of Work, JM and Fyang are also gearing up for another major fashion event, the <strong>ABS-CBN Ball</strong><strong></strong>, which will take place on April 4. As newcomers in showbiz, it will be their first time attending the ABS-CBN Ball. &quot;<em>Sobrang</em> excited,&quot; JM quipped. &quot;<em>Makikita rin namin &#x27;yung mga iniidolo namin dito sa industriya</em>, and excited <em>kami na magkaroon ng </em>interaction between us <em>at sa mga iniidolo namin</em>.&quot;</p><p>&quot;First <em>namin na</em> Ball &#x27;<em>yun</em>, <em>na maglalakad kami sabay na</em> this time <em>sa</em> red carpet. And, <em>sobrang</em> excited <em>ako</em>. <em>Marami rin akong gusto makita du&#x27;n</em>. <em>Marami akong inaabangan na makita du&#x27;n sa</em> Ball.&quot;</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1743078165217487428689_18495184153047908_2587275360260407425_n.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo from Star Magic</span></span></span></div><div><strong></strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Since it&#x27;s their first ABS-CBN Ball, they did have some input on their outfits, but they also trust their glam teams to recommend what&#x27;s best for them. &quot;<em>Ako</em>, personally, <em>nag</em>-request <em>ako na</em> very <em>simple lang &#x27;yung kurba ng</em> gown. As in. <em>Gusto ko simple lang pero </em>at the same time, <em>s&#x27;yempre kailangan may</em> &#x27;wow&#x27; <em>pa rin,</em>&quot; Fyang shared. </p><p>JM said his stylist, <strong>Ton Lao</strong><strong></strong>,<strong> </strong>based his outfit on his personality and gave a shoutout to his designer, <strong>Neric Beltran</strong>. &quot;<em>Simple lang pero nilagyan nila ng</em> &#x27;wow&#x27; factor <em>kahit papaano,</em>&quot; he said, excited to see the finished product. </p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1743078765376473651985_18053095268488380_6883541234259517126_n.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo from @_iamsofiasmith</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>In January this year, the two starred in the music video of Regine Velasquez-Alcasid&#x27;s &quot;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7lTV-uyhIU" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Wherever You Are</a>,&quot; which went viral and currently has almost 6 million views on YouTube. They&#x27;ve also been doing shows together, such as The Filipino Channel&#x27;s Barrio Fiesta Dubai 2025. </p><p>But what is their dream project together? Fyang said, &quot;Movie, of course. <em>Magka</em>-movie <em>kami </em>together.&quot;</p><p>JM has big dreams for their team-up, too. He shared, &quot;<em>Ako</em>, dream <em>ko sa&#x27;ming dalawa</em>, <em>hindi lang basta magka-pelikula e</em>, <em>magka</em>-blockbuster, <em>ganu&#x27;n</em>! <em>Alam mo &#x27;yun</em>, <em>hinahasa talaga namin &#x27;yung</em> craft <em>namin pagdating sa pag-arte.</em> <em>&#x27;Yun &#x27;yung pinaka</em>-dream <em>ko</em>, <em>namin</em>.&quot;</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:left"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1743079230477481147796_18057047015488380_3659345685564730607_n.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo from @_iamsofiasmith</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align:left"><br/></div><p style="text-align:left">In terms of genres they want to explore together, JM and Fyang said they are game to try anything. &quot;<em>Gusto namin i</em>-explore <em>lahat</em>,&quot; Fyang said. </p><p style="text-align:left">&quot;<em>Alam mo &#x27;yun</em>, <em>&#x27;yung hindi lang basta pang-kilig</em>. <em>Gusto rin namin sila saktan kahit papaano</em>,&quot; JM added, laughing. </p><p style="text-align:left">Fyang agreed, saying, &quot;Yes, <em>ayaw namin mag</em>-stick<em> lang sa isang</em> genre.<em> Gusto namin</em>, <em>sa isang </em>movie,<em> andu&#x27;n na lahat ng </em>genres.&quot; </p><p style="text-align:left">JM and Fyang have been attending acting workshops to make these dreams happen. She&#x27;s particularly amazed by the Meisner acting technique they&#x27;re being trained to adopt. </p><div style="text-align:left"><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1743080445294471675617_18050539874488380_4962648237653047586_n.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo from @_iamsofiasmith</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align:left"><br/></div><p style="text-align:left">They&#x27;re experiencing a lot of firsts in the showbiz scene together. Thanks to their work, they also get to travel together. Recently, JM and Fyang experienced what it means to be each other&#x27;s travel buddy when they visited Dubai. </p><p style="text-align:left">They say people get to know each other better when they travel together. So, we asked JM and Fyang: &quot;If you could go on a road trip or travel together again, where would you like to go?&quot;</p><p style="text-align:left">&quot;Japan,&quot; Fyang quickly replied, explaining that it&#x27;s JM&#x27;s &quot;dream destination.&quot; </p><p style="text-align:left">JM said he wants to visit places related to anime because he&#x27;s a huge anime fan. Looking at JM, Fyang told him, &quot;<em>Hayaan mo</em>, <em>pupuntahan natin</em>!&quot;</p><p style="text-align:left">Showing enthusiasm and passion for acting, as well as the other aspects of being an artist or showbiz personality, these two are surely determined to go places together. </p><div style="text-align:left"><br/></div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-2" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DHtMhrKpUTd/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=810&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A2%2C%22os%22%3A10976864.399999999%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="881" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-2" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>Interview by <strong>Tricia Matias</strong></p>

<p>In this exclusive interview, JM Ibarra and Fyang Smith talk about their recent runway stint, their preparations for the ABS-CBN Ball, their dream project, and their dream destination. </p>

In this exclusive interview, JM Ibarra and Fyang Smith talk about their recent runway stint, their preparations for the ABS-CBN Ball, their dream project, and their dream destination.

JM Ibarra and Fyang Smith Look Back on Their 'Bench Body of Work' Experience and Gear Up for the ABS-CBN Ball

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JM Ibarra and Fyang Smith Look Back on Their 'Bench Body of Work' Experience and Gear Up for the ABS-CBN Ball

Grace Libero

Published March 27, 2025 09:00 PM PHT

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Updated March 27, 2025 10:33 PM PHT

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JM Ibarra

Fyang Smith

Pinoy Big Brother: Gen 11

Star Magic

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