Meant to be

By Bot Glorioso
The Philippine Star
December 7, 2006

Link to original article

"We never can tell," says Carla Humphries when asked about the possibility of turning her reel romance with Victor Basa into reality.

The two are the newest loveteam on ABS-CBN’s Star Magic Presents: Abt Ur Luv which airs every Saturday after Let’s Go.

Carla admits she admires Victor. This made the latter feel conscious. She also reveals the 21-year-old actor was her choice as on-screen partner.

"Talent Center always experiments with its artists. When one of the staff of Talent Center asked who I think I would have perfect chemistry with, I thought of Victor because I have seen him on magazines and he seems nice," Carla says.

It turned out Victor also chose her from pictures of possible loveteam mates. Carla and Victor were delighted to find out that they chose each other.

Falling in love with Carla is not impossible as Victor finds her beautiful, friendly and easy-to-work with.

Perhaps the on-screen romance would blossom into something real when the two become more at ease with each other.

"We are in the getting-to-know-each-other stage right now," Carla says in reference to Victor as the two only met for the first time when they were cast on the show.

Carla recently called off her romance with Janus del Prado with whom she has gone steady for quite some time, giving her the freedom to fall in love again.

In Abt Ur Luv, Victor and Carla are lovers. Carla plays Brenda, the very orderly, "so much in love with love" spoiled cousin of Neri (Shaina Magdayao). Victor is Stick, a fitness trainer who is very clean living – no cigarettes, no alcohol, no vice – a perfect role model for the youth. They will be seen each week with more developments on their relationship.

Abt Ur Luv follows in the tradition of youth-oriented shows Gimik, G-mik and Tabing Ilog. It tackles love, accepting disappointments, being happy, finding good friends and living life to the fullest.

Before Carla and Victor starred in the show, they have already experienced what it is like to be in front of camera as both are into modeling.

Carla’s initial outing was in Globe Gen-txt, followed by C2. She has endorsed Sunsilk shampoo in Thailand. She has also graced the covers of Pink magazine and Women’s Journal. Her first regular show was Bituing Walang Ningning as Angelika dela Cruz’s sister. Carla is now taking up voice lessons.

While the 18-year-old lass wants to try all film genres, she finds drama her forte and looks up to Vilma Santos, Sharon Cuneta and Maricel Soriano.

Carla squeezes in her studies in-between showbiz commitments. She is a second year Entrepreneurship student at CIE (Center for International Education) in Makati City.

Victor, on the other hand, has appeared in fashion pictorials for this paper’s Y Style section and once graced the cover of Pink magazine with Nikki Gil. He also models for Penshoppe and has done several TV commercials like Tropicana and Greenwich.

"I’m also into illustrations and trying my hand in designing shirts. I’ve collaborated with Penshoppe in designing for the brand’s pieces," he says.

Johnny "Mr. M" Manahan spotted Victor in a long queue of auditionees trying their luck in the ABS stable.

"I’m fond of watching movies. I even imagined myself playing a role. That’s why I tried to audition and luckily, I was chosen," he says.

Victor was part of the recently-concluded Crazy for You with Toni Gonzaga and Luis Manzano.

If given a choice, Victor would like to delve more in drama and action.

With Carla and Victor sharing many things in common, chances are high their loveteam will click the audience. Who knows, they might turn out to be a loveteam for real one of these days.

Tag: Press, Victor, Abt Ur Luv