After years of being identified with one of Philippine entertainment’s most successful love teams, Nadine Lustre says she now enjoys the freedom of exploring new on-screen pairings, describing it as an exciting step that keeps both actors and audiences engaged.

Speaking during the thanksgiving media conference for Love Siargao, the actress reflected on how much the industry has changed since love teams dominated local television and film.

“During that time, love teams are such a big thing na kapag nag-switch-switch (ng partner), magugunaw ang mundo. Ganun ang pakiramdam nung time na ’yun, especially for the supporters.”

Looking back, Lustre believes the shift toward working with different co-stars has opened more creative possibilities.

“Hindi ko lang siya naisip that time, but now being able to do it, it kind of makes sense. Kasi hindi ko na rin ma-imagine na celebrities who work with the same person. Parang walang bagong flavor ang project if it is the same people over and over again.”

Her latest series pairs her with Alden Richards for the first time in a full-length drama, a collaboration she described as both enjoyable and creatively rewarding.

Lustre shared that spending an extended lock-in shoot together in Siargao gave them plenty of opportunities to know each other beyond their scenes.

“Sobrang sarap niya po maka-work. Si Alden kasi, hindi ko siya first time maka-trabaho. I guess ito ’yung ganito katagal.”

She praised Richards not only for his professionalism but also for the way he treats everyone on set, saying his easygoing personality helped create a positive working environment.

“Ano siya, ang dami naming napag-uusapan. Hindi siya mahirap pakisamahan, and one of the things I really love about him is that lahat kinakausap niya. Iyung team, kinakausap niya. He knows kung paano makisama at nakikipagbiruan siya. Everything about him is so light, at ang sarap niya ka-work kasi very collaborative siya. Kapag may mga scenes, pinag-uusapan talaga namin.”

Directed by Jade Castro and Dwein Baltazar, Love Siargao follows the story of Kara, played by Lustre, and Jao, portrayed by Richards, whose lives become intertwined amid the beauty and mystique of the island. The series also features Kim Ji-soo, Kyline Alcantara, Coleen Garcia, and Marco Gallo, and is now streaming on Viu.