Nadine loves Yassi

At their first cover shoot together, Yassi playfully teases that she and Nadine are the true #TeamReal. Nadine jokingly agrees—and us? We never had any doubt that these BFFs are the real deal.

- Ayessa de la pena

It’s hard to imagine that before 2014, when their first movie together, Diary ng Panget, was released, Nadine Lustre and Yassi pressman were simply acquaintances whose paths would cross from time to time. Now, as Nadine walks into our hotel suite on a rainy Saturday morning, Yassi’s is the first face she seeks out in the crowded room. The two spend the next few minutes laughing, giggling, and catching up with each other’s lives. These actresses, as the whole country knows by now, are two of the industry’s busiest stars.

As they get settled, Nadine and Yassi usher us into their world, all secretive smiles and playful banter that we can’t help but wish we were a part of. They gamely explain why they sometimes burst out laughing mid-interview or why they exchange knowing glances and inside jokes. For a moment we can’t help but feel like we’re a legit part of their inner circle. Like we’re not just a couple of mesmerized intruders—even if we’ve only known them for a couple of hours.

We feel equal parts comfortable and envious to be around these two besties. Comfy because it truly feels like we’re hanging with our kabarkadas, and envious because theirs is obviously the kind of friendship that most people spend half of their lives looking for—one that’s secure and safe enough to not need constant reassurances that the other person is still on the other end of the line.