Anne admits feeling awkward with Robin

MANILA, Philippines -- Working together for the first time in over a decade, Anne Curtis initially felt awkward teaming up anew with Robin Padilla, this time as her leading man.

"Noong una, nakakailang," the prized Kapamilya actress told reporters at the sidelines of a press conference held Friday by a fast food chain she endorses.

Curtis and Padilla first worked together in the romantic-comedy film "Tulak ng Bibig, Kabig ng Dibdib" in 1998. At the time, the "Bad Boy" of Philippine movies was paired with Maricel Soriano, while Curtis was only 13 then.

"Pero when we were working, kinausap niya ako, pinakampante niya ako," Curtis said of Padilla, who plays the "shared love interest" of the "It's Showtime" host and Kris Aquino in the upcoming romance-drama series "Kailangan Ko'y Ikaw."

"Sinabi niya, guide ko rin siya, kasi iba na raw 'yung generation namin when it comes to rehearsals, and style of shooting. So doon, nawala 'yung kaunting pressure bilang Robin Padilla 'yan 'di ba. He's really a gentleman to everyone. I can attest to it, even before pa," Curtis added.

'Sharing' Robin with Kris

In "Kailangan Ko'y Ikaw," Curtis and Aquino portray sisters. In behind-the-scenes photos earlier shared by the "Kris TV" host, she and Padilla were seen shooting a wedding scene. Curtis' character Ruth will come between the two, according to the actress.

"For Ate Kris and Robin, to see them together again onscreen, nakakatawa. Naiisip ko, nung bagets 'tong mga 'to... Nag-aasaran [kami]," Curtis said.

Having first met in 1989, Padilla and Aquino were formerly a couple. The Kapamilya actor is now married to TV host Mariel Rodriguez, while Aquino's marriage to basketball player James Yap was annulled in February this year.

"There's a lot of different angles of love," Curtis said of the series. "You don't understand what it is, kasi nakakatawa siya, nakakaiyak siya, nakaka-in love siya, pero minsan mabigat."

According to the actress-singer, the highly anticipated soap will "finally air next year." First announced in February this year, "Kailangan Ko'y Ikaw" has been delayed numerous times due to the conflicting schedule of its three lead stars.

"We're still working on it bilang 'yung schedule naming tatlo," Curtis said. "But at least everyone's put their 101% into it, so we're all excited."