In a span of two years since exiting Kuya’s house, Karina Bautista and Aljon Mendoza managed to secure their spots in showbiz. Now one of their generation’s most popular love teams, KarJon starts the year with lots of ‘kilig’ as they star in the newest iWant TFC series “Hoy! Love You!” topbilled by Joross Gamboa and Roxanne Guinoo.
This 2021, the pair promises to prioritize their health while working on their dreams, especially Karina who undergone medical surgery on her chest last year. Aljon’s New Year’s resolution is also to keep a consistent workout routine.
The young stars keep a hopeful attitude as they look forward to the blessings and achievements lined up for them this year both individually and as a loveteam. Their friendship is a magnet to opportunities. “Malaking bagay po ‘yun kapag magkasundo kayo off-cam at nagtutulungan po kami. Siyempre, nakaka- insipire ‘yun, gaganahan ka pong magtrabaho,” said Karina.
While working diligently as a team, Karina and Aljon are also open to exploring other interests outside the partnership. They also credit their fans, making sure to always give their best to not disappoint them.
The humility and boldness are sharpened thanks to the weekly tasks inside Bahay ni Kuya. “Kung gusto mo siya, kailangan mo siyang paghirapan. Gano’n kasi yung ginagawa sa amin sa loob. Lahat ng bagay nadadaan sa sipag at tiyaga, so paglabas nadala ko siya pati sa work,” Karina shared.
Those tasks were preparations for bigger challenges in the outside world. Aljon knows life can never too easy but, as he learned from Big Brother, every trial can be surpassed with determination and a positive mind.
Aljon was bitten by the acting bug since he was a kid. His mom, supportive of this dream, would even remind him to keep his skin scar-free. Aljon was fascinated with the thought of popularity until he experienced the real ‘buhay-artista’ and realized there’s more to it than fame. He learned to embrace the craft with fervor.
Karina, on the other hand, was more comfortable working behind than in front of the cameras despite everyone’s persuasion. Going with the flow, she auditioned for PBB and got in. She even thought she’d be back to living a normal life after her eviction. But, in a surprising plot twist, she found the doors of showbiz open for her and she eventually fell in love with acting.
As a loveteam, Karina and Aljon are no strangers to fans fervently praying that they end up together. It brings them pressure, of course, but they managed to learn how to balance their team-up, friendship and personal lives.
“Noong una, hindi ko po alam kung paano i-handle hanggang sa nagtagal, sila din naman, ‘yung mga sumusuporta sa amin, tanggap nila na mas friends kami. Doon din sila mas happy kasi dito kami komportable,” explained Aljon.
As they grow more comfortable with each other, it also becomes easier for him to act naturally sweet towards her. Karina revealed he loves to care for her. “Kapag may iWant ASAP kami, umaga, bibigyan niya ako ng food. Alam niya kasi lagi akong inaantok, ‘pag pagod ako, pinapatulog niya naman po ako tapos binibigyan niya ako ng jacket kasi sobrang lamig. Mga ganun po, inaalalayan niya ako,” she said.
Karina and Aljon’s closeness was evident in the “Slam Book” game where they revealed each other’s quirks. According to Karina, green is Aljon’s favorite color and he’s scared of cockroaches. He gets annoyed when people drag his family in negative situations. She thinks her attention makes him ‘kilig.’
Aljon would attest to Karina’s love for okra and eggplant and her distaste for ketchup. He mentioned “simple gestures” as her source of ‘kilig.’
For Aljon, love is having the courage to experience even the bad times together while Karina described love as an effort to make the other person feel that’s is easy to love you back.
“Hoy! Love You!” is directed by Theodore Boborol is streaming for FREE starting January 18 on iWantTFC.