Pinoy Big Brother alumni Fumiya Sankai and Yamyam Gucong, also known as FumiYam, have finally been reunited after more than two years of being apart since the pandemic.

In an exclusive interview on PUSH Bets, the "spiritual brothers" shared how they maintained their closeness even after years of being apart.

“Kahit malayo kami sa isa’t isa kasi pandemic, nagkaroon ng (closed) borders. Siya pinauwi sa Japan. It’s difficult for us kasi nasanay kaming dalawa na parang palagi kaming together na nagtatrabaho. Nasanay kami sa isa’t isa na sandigan ko dito kaisa ko yung pamilya ko nasa probinsya, siya nasa Japan,” Yamyam said in the interview.

He went on: “That time na naghiwalay kami, nagchachat kami. Minemaintain yung ano naman, 'Oy kumusta ka na?’ and then suddenly nga nakaanak ako so ininvite ko siya na, ‘Gusto mo bang maging ninong sa anak ko?’ Sabi niya, ‘What is ninong?’”

Although Fumiya was not familiar with the culture, he still said yes to his Filipino best friend, making their friendship even stronger.

“Gusto ko iconnect kita, hindi lang para sa akin, pati sa aking pamilya kasi ganoon kaming mga Pinoy,” Yamyam explained.

The duo also discussed how they view their friendship, despite barriers in language, cultur,e and distance, from a deeper and more meaningful perspective than before.

“Habang tumatagal, lalong tumitibay yung friendship (namin). First time in my life I’m experiencing this kind of friendship. Very interesting,” Yamyam remarked.

The Pinoy Big Brother: Otso grand winner also revealed during the interview that the two are currently living together in Manila.

“Magkasama kami ngayon sa isang bahay. Sa isang araw na iyon naguusap lang kami buong araw. Napabilib ako kasi our soul daw we have different dimension but our soul daw ay best friend already sa ibang dimension,” he added.

Fumiya then explained that being called a spiritual brother became more real and meaningful for him.

“The people called us spiritual brothers before pero that time nag-ano ako ‘Oh yes spiritual brothers, okay.’ I’m thinking like that pero now,our friendship is not only as friends, not just family, not [just] brothers, deep talaga,” the 28-year-old Japanese vlogger explained.

“During the pandemic, we never met each other,” he said. “Three months ago, I moved here [to[ the Philippines and then at that time we finally talked to each other very deeply like before. We haven't talked to each other like for two years pero parang (it is) still natural.”

Talking about what they did during their time apart, the duo shared that they went on their own business ventures.

“During pandemic nasa Japan ako, pero I started my company sa Japan. That time I learned about social media company like that. And I also started my coffee shop sa Japan called Kape Tayo Tokyo. That time, many Filipinos in Japan, they can't go back to the Philippines so I wanted to make a Philippine place for them. That's why we decided to open a coffee shop,” Fumiya shared.

He also gave an update on how he was slowly learning how to speak in Filipino as well as in Bisaya.

“I learned Tagalog from them. My Tagalog, most of my Tagalog I learned in Japan,” he said.

He added: “Ngayon, I’m learning my Bisaya from him (Yamyam).”

The Japanese personality also shared how he wanted to move to the Philippines.

“I’m planning to stay here kasi pusong Pinoy.,” he stated. “Mas masaya dito.”

On the other hand, Yamyam discussed his journey as a father to his child.

“After Pinoy Big Brother, nagpatayo ako ng bake shop,” he said.

“Nasurvive ko yun kasi ako may asawa na, may pamilya na, so yun yung pinanghuhugutan ko ng lakas.”

He went on: “Napakasayang maging ama talaga. Ang saya. For example, galing ka sa mabigat na work, sobrang pagod mo sa work tapos nakita mo yung son mo or yung daughter mo na nakatingin sa’yo, (kahit na) you have tired eyes and she’s smiling (at you), nawala talaga (yung pagod). Totoo talaga.”

 Speaking about what media projects they are currently working on, FumiYam shared how they are working on their content as digital creators as well as television projects.

“Sa ngayon po, we decided to be together again,” the duo shared.

“Pinagkakaabalahan po is to strengthen our social media.”

Yamyam previously had a guest appearance on the hit Kapamilya series Can’t Buy Me Love, while Fumiya is part of the Japanese drama series titled Animals. Both are available on the streaming platform Netflix.

Watch the full video of Fumiya and Yamyam interview here: