Kim Chiu (left) and Paulo Avelino. Dreamscape Entertainment/Instagram

MANILA — Last Friday, the Kapamilya noontime show "It’s Showtime" was rocked with kilig as Paulo Avelino made a surprise visit to the studio. 

Audience members and viewers were smitten by the undeniable chemistry of the actor and "It's Showtime" host Kim Chiu, who are currently working on the series "What’s wrong with Secretary Kim?"

During the watch party for the series last Saturday, March 16, ABS-CBN News sat down with the lead actors and asked them about the unexpected and unrehearsed studio banter.

Chiu said: "May amats (tamang kilig) na talaga ako sa opening pa lang, tapos ayun tinuldukan niya nung gap 3."

She continued, "Siyempre, may cutie," to which Avelino replied without hesitation, "Cute ka rin."

Undeniably, the kilig is there. But is it something that you can fake? Avelino answered: "Dalawa 'yan. Sometimes, it just comes naturally. Sometimes, there’s work that’s been put into it."

But can you fake it?

"I think you can. At the end of the day we are actors," he replied.

We asked: "Sa Inyo ni Kim, did you fake it?"

"Sa amin ni Kim, no we did not."

Chiu finds Avelino very quiet and mysterious. She recalled the first time she saw him at one of those Star Magic Balls in the past.

“Tahimik lang talaga siya sa gilid. Hindi nagsasalita. Ayoko na lang din siya kausapin kasi ayoko namang makipag-usap sa isang tao na hindi nagsasalita. Saka hindi pa ko ganun kadaldal dati," she admitted.

The rom-com actress said she is lucky to have witnessed and known Avelino through the two projects they did -- "Linlang," which is a heavy drama, and the light-romantic comedy series "Secretary Kim."

"Iba-ibang tao 'yung nakita ko, so nakita ko na 'yung Paulo na masayahin, Paulo na galit, Paulo na sobrang dedicated at seryoso, Paulo na corny na funny. Ang dami niyang pinakita na types of Paulo. So 'yun, iba siya. Very dedicated and very self-aware siya," she said. 

"Very important sa kanya 'yung time," she added.