NO one is more surprised about the success of their new tandem than the lead stars of the GMA 7 soap opera ?Stairway to Heaven,? Dingdong Dantes and Rhian Ramos.

Although the series run is about to end, there is talk that the couple is headed to the big screen next year.

A movie is in the works: Arnold Arre?s ?Ang Mundo ni Andong Agimat,? under Unitel, GMA Films, Viva and director Mark Reyes.

Dong and Rhian are hesitant to give away too much, however.

?Much depends on the story,? he said. Actually, we?re not expecting that movie so soon after the soap. In any case, you could say that we?ve gotten a glimpse of our team-up on the big screen because the pilot of ?Stairway? was premiered in a movie house.?

How about ?Stairway the Movie??

?Wow!? was all that Rhian could say.

Indeed, the tandem is ripe for the picking for more projects?whether on the big or small screen.

?I think we clicked because we didn?t have expectations about each other,? Dingdong noted.

Open-minded
Rhian added, ?We were just open-minded about each other. Dingdong is very professional.?

On their last week, she said, she realized how determined and passionate he was. ?Once he sets his mind on something, he?ll work hard to get it.?

Like their kissing scenes, which seem a little too heartfelt?

All told, said Rhian, it?s just a job. ?A kissing scene is no different from a scene that requires me to slap or scream at Dingdong. We both had to go through a whole range of emotions during the show?s run.?

In that regard, Rhian was a good screen partner, said Dingdong. ?She provided the missing part in the puzzle of [my character] Cholo?s journey. Her portrayal made mine more real and more complete.?

Toughest hurdle
Dingdong hastened to add that he was pleasantly surprised by Rhian?s maturity as an actress.

?For one so young, she knows how to immediately adjust to situations. She?s not afraid to tackle different challenges and confront various stimuli,? he said.

The toughest hurdle she had to overcome was the reported jealousy of fans of the Dingdong-Marian Rivera tandem.

Rhian turned thoughtful when asked about the issue: ?It?s not the first time I found myself in such a situation,? she said.

Prior to Dingdong, she was teamed up with Richard Gutierrez who was Angel Locsin?s screen partner; Mark Herras, who was Jennylyn Mercado?s; and JC de Vera, who was Yasmien Kurdi?s.

?I?m kinda used to it. I?ve learned not to let the intrigues get me down. In the end, it?s just about doing your job well. I just have to do my best. If people don?t like it, I can?t control that. If they like it, then, thank you.?

To all that, Dingdong could only mutter in agreement: ?Amen.?

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