For the first time, Aya Fernandez jumps on the GL genre via “Love Bites: Stand-In Love.” Learn more about the story, which she headlines with Iana Bernardez, in this episode of Kapamilya Chat.

“Love Bites: Stand-In Love” tells the 'kilig' tale of Zia (Iana), who just came out as a lesbian and asked her best friend Cess (Aya) to help her learn courtship. And as they navigate their fake romance, the two will face complexities that might lead to rejection and regrets.

Though it’s her first time portraying a GL story, Aya’s preparation wasn’t different from her past projects that involved romantic angles with Sam Milby in A Family Affair and Coco Martin in FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano. After all, acting doesn’t look into one’s gender. “Bilang aktor, wala naman ‘yang gender, eh. Kung ano ‘yung real, kung ano ‘yung truth bilang artist, ‘ang pinaka tungkulin natin maitawid ‘yung buong kwento,” she said.

There were jitters, of course. But more than that, she felt honored to take on her first lead role, which happens to be a real-life story as well. She studied Cess and Zia’s background and diligently memorized the script. Though she wasn’t able to meet the real Cess and Zia, she had the chance to ask them questions virtually.

On her similarities with Cess, she said they’re both workaholics. On the romantic side, Aya admitted she has limited experience but she does know what pain, rejection, and regrets feel like. Just like Cess, she was once scared to express her true feelings, leading to regrets. Learning from her mistakes, she’s become bolder, “Meron kaming hesitations at first pero binigay na lahat. So kung masaktan o hindi, ‘pag binigay mo ang lahat, worth it ‘yan.”

Aya mentioned that it was her first time meeting Iana. But she felt comfortable with her, especially since she carries the same calm personality as her mom Angel Aquino, whom Aya worked with and was roommates with during FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano. “Lovely” is how she would describe working with Iana. “She’s very colorful. For every color, she embraces it. Mapamadilim man o maliwanag na kulay, she’s very empowered to carry it. It makes her beautiful, all the sadness and happiness she’s been through.” She remembers the chaos on set, yet there was calm flowing from her co-actress that’s why she was never rattled.

In keeping with the episode’s theme, Aya was asked if she has fallen in love with a best friend. This is where she admitted that she only has a little romantic experience. She’s never had serious feelings toward a friend. But she once got attracted to a friend and they remained close after she confessed. That’s why she thinks there’s nothing wrong with falling for someone in your social circle.

When asked for her advice to those who can’t express their feelings, Aya imparted that fear of rejection only leads to regret. She’s been there, so believe her when she says go for it, “At least nag-try ka. Hindi ‘yung hanggang sa hukay iisipin mo, ‘Sana sinabi ko.’” She recalled a piece of advice she got from director Antoinette Jadaone that sometimes rejections and pain help us see our true worth.

Watch “Love Bites: Stand-In Love” on ABS-CBN Entertainment’s YouTube channel.