Taking on lead roles for the first time, JM Ibarra and Sofia “Fyang” Smith walked the purple carpet with excitement and a touch of nerves as they welcomed viewers to the premiere of their new iWant series, Ghosting.
Held on July 18 at Gateway Mall 2, the event witnessed the launch of a new romantic-horror series and a career milestone for the two fresh-faced stars.
Both actors admitted that while the journey was far from easy, it was filled with unforgettable moments—on and off camera.
“For me, the happiness and excitement definitely outweighed the pressure throughout the process,” JM shared during the media huddle after the show’s special screening.
“I didn’t feel pressured at all because we were just having so much fun making the project.”
Fyang, who plays the vibrant and affectionate Jaja, described the experience as a rollercoaster.
“There were so many super happy moments. It really felt like a rollercoaster,” she said. “But even though it was hard, I still enjoyed it. I learned a lot.”
Ghosting tells the story of characters navigating love, loss, and the supernatural.
JM plays a soldier from the 1940s, a role that required a stoic, composed presence—something made difficult by the improvisational humor of their co-star Gelo Marquez.
“It was so hard because every time Gelo would ad-lib, he was just so funny,” Fyang shared. “JM had to stay serious throughout because his character is a soldier from the 1940s. He couldn’t laugh or break character.”
She added that she was proud of her co-star’s dedication throughout the shoot.
“I’m really proud of him because he was struggling, but he never showed it. He really pushed through and finished all the scenes.”
The two also opened up about some of their more vulnerable scenes, including their first on-screen kiss.
JM admitted he felt unsure during the scene, especially when it came to direction. “I struggled a bit, I couldn’t see how we looked. I needed someone to guide me.”
Despite the challenges, both leads remained focused on their goal of connecting with the audience.
“I guess we just want people to enjoy it,” Fyang said with a smile. “If they laughed or felt something, that’s already more than enough for us.”
Ghosting is now available for streaming on iWant.
