After first meeting as contestants on the fourth season of reality talent show StarStruck in 2007, Martin Escudero said he and Paulo Avelino’s friendship has now really gone way beyond what people see on camera. The two last worked together more than a decade ago and this year, they finally reunite as co-actors in Star Cinema’s upcoming rom-com My Love Will Make You Disappear which Martin considers a blessing.

“Sa totoo lang, napakalaking bagay sa akin nito dahil matagal na rin kaming hindi nagkita at nagkatrabaho ni Pau. Nung mga nakaraang taon pa iniisip ko na magkaroon ng pagkakataon na masuportahan ko naman yung aking kaibigan sa pelikula. Maraming salamat sa boss at naging totoo. Napagbigyan ako sa pagkakataon na mapasama dito,” he shared during the My Love Will Make You Disappear media day held earlier this month. 

READ: EXCLUSIVE: Martin Escudero reunites with Paulo Avelino in ‘My Love Will Make You Disappear’: ‘Basta gagawin ko support sa kanya’

Martin, who is also the godfather of Paulo’s son Aki, admitted his friend has always been on the quiet side. He told PUSH ABS-CBN, “Inaanak ko po yung panganay niya kaya kahit hindi kami nagkikita eh magkumpare kami. Dati na talagang tahimik si Pau. Madalas kami mag-usap nuon tungkol sa babae at saksi rin naman ako sa diskarte niya. Masasabing idol talaga! Nung medyo teenager pa kami, alam ko pag may type siya na babae, alam ko sa mata niya, sa tingin niya, sa galaw niya kapag nakakatabi niiya yung babae,” he recalled.

When he first found out he was handpicked for the role of LGBT member Rom in the film, Martin said he had no hesitations in accepting the offer. “Naging surprise po sa akin ito, Sa script reading sa pelikula ng Star Cinema, yun lang ang info na alam ko first meeting. Kun ko na na-meet at nakausap sila KimPau, at yung iba pang cast.

"Medyo mama mama yung datin ko kasi may anak kami na ampon. Meron kaming anak dito. So medyo minsan may pagka-serious at mataray siya. Siguro masasabi ko na gatong kami, yung kunsintidor, yung mga magbibigay ng konting malisya, yung mga ganung datingan,” he explained.

Currently handled by talent manager Becky Aguila under her talent management group, Martin said he is happy with the way his career is going this year. “Medyo matagal na rin po ako sa Aguila Entertainment. Naging magaan po ang loob ko sa kanila. Malaki rin ang pasasalamat ko sa kanila bilang alaga nila masaya po ako sa kanila. More than 20 years na rin po tayo sa industriya at malaking pasasalamat po sa Panginoong Diyos patuloy pa rin tayong nabibiyayaan ng magagandang proyekto, basta mag tanim ka ng tama, tama rin ang bunga,” he admitted.

READ: Wilma Doesnt hints co-stars Kim Chiu and Paulo Avelino are already a couple

When asked about his opinion regarding the rumor if Paulo is now dating his leading lady Kim Chiu, Martin said fellow cast member Wilma Doesnt is the better person to judge.

“Sa set naman, nag-e-enjoy kami kasi si ate Wilma. Siya yung tagabantay eh. Siya yung nagsasabi pag magkatabi na sila, ayan na. Pero isa lang ang masasabi ko, kahit kaming mga cast dito, para sa amin, totoo yung mga nangyayari eh. Natural, hindi pinipilit, at yun yung importanteng bagay at mas magugustuhan nating lahat. Natural yung kilig,” he shared.

Watch Martin in My Love Will Make You Disappear as it opens in cinemas starting March 26 under Star Cinema. Directed by Chad Vidanes and written by Prime Cruz. The film stars Paulo Avelino, Kim Chiu, Wilma Doesnt, Lovely Abella, Benj Manalo, Karina Bautista, Martin Escudero, Nico Antonio, and Migs Almendras.