MANILA – Kim Chiu admitted she was initially reluctant to accept her reunion project with Gerald Anderson, which came several years after they were last paired on screen.

However, Chiu revealed during the press conference for “Ikaw Lang ang Iibigin” on Monday that she eventually agreed to the project, as she took it as a challenge in her 10-year career.

“Nung una, siyempre medyo alangan po talaga ako ng sobra. Tao lang naman po ako siyempre. Pero sabi nga ni Mr. M (Johnny Manahan), ‘Bakit hindi tanggapin 'yung challenge? Isipin mo as challenge ito sa career mo since hindi ka na teenager, hindi ka na pa-tweetums, pa-cute.’ Ang tagal na rin naming hindi nagkaka-work, mga six or seven years. Ang dami na ring nangyari sa career namin and siyempre sa personal lives namin. This is something new sa mga taong sumusuporta talaga sa akin,” she said.

A photo posted by Dreamscape PH (@dreamscapeph) on Oct 24, 2016 at 5:00am PDT

Chiu said it’s about time that they reunite on TV especially since both of them have already moved on in their personal lives.

“Kapag umoo po ako at humindi, may iba’t ibang reaction sa dalawang decision ko na 'yun. Siguro it’s about time. Ang tagal na. Kung [ibri-bring up] 'yung issue dati, siyempre ang luma na nun. Nung panahon namin ni Gerald, wala pang social media nung magka-love team kami so kinakabahan kami sa magiging reaction ng mga tao,” she said.

Anderson and Chiu broke up in 2010 amid controversies surrounding their relationship.

Currently, Anderson is dating actress Bea Alonzo, who also happened to be his former girlfriend. Chiu, on the other hand, maintains that she considers Xian Lim as someone special.

Asked how she thinks their new project would affect their personal lives, Chiu said: “Iba naman po 'yung trabaho sa personal na buhay. Masaya naman po kami sa personal naming buhay. Masaya po siya, masaya po ako. Actors po kami. Professional naman po kami.”

Meanwhile, Anderson thinks it is inevitable for him and Chiu to work again since both of them started in showbiz together.

"Ako naman, lagi akong optimistic kasi sabay naman kaming nagsimula," he said.

"Impossible na hindi kami magsasama ulit kasi nag-start kami sa reality show and then 10 years later, nandito pa rin kami.”

Anderson said he is grateful to be given the chance to work with Chiu again.

“This is a very special moment for me. The last time na nakatabi ko siya sa ganitong event, siguro 21 years old ako. This is a very special moment for me. Medyo first time sa press conference na na-speechless ako. Hindi ko alam kung anong sasabihin ko. Pero at the end of the day, sobrang thankful ako,” he said.

The actor said this is also their way of giving back to their fans who have been there for them since day one.

“Masasabi ko lang, ito 'yung comeback namin ni Kim. It’s going to be completely different. Medyo bata pa kami nung nagsama kami. Nagkaroon kami ng kanya-kanyang paths sa career namin. Dito niyo po makikita 'yung mga natutunan namin nung hindi kami magkasama,” he said.

Dreamscape has yet to announce the premiere date of “Ikaw Lang ang Iibigin.”

Apart from Anderson and Chiu, the series will also be starring Coleen Garcia, Jake Cuenca, and Helen Gamboa. Ayen Munji-Laurel and Bing Loyzaga are also part of the cast of the series, which will be directed by Dan Villegas.