MANILA — “Halik” star Yam Concepcion would not describe her relationship with her onscreen rival, Yen Santos, as “friendship.”

It would be more appropriate, she said, to call them acquaintances.

This was Concepcion’s candid admission in an interview on “Tonight with Boy Abunda” that aired Monday, when she was asked why she does not appear to follow Santos on Instagram.

“Hindi kami magkaaway. Okay kami ni Yen. She kind of deactivated her Instagram,” she said, referring to Santos not following a single account.

Asked whether she considers Santos as a friend, Concepcion answered: “We’re acquaintances siguro. Ibang unit kasi si Yen.”

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She was referring to a different group within the production of “Halik,” which follows several storylines, including the lives of Concepcion and Santos’ respective characters, Jade and Jacky.

“I don’t want to be plastic kasi,” Concepcion went on. “I want to be as real as possible. Sa ginagalawan nating industriya, parang palagi na lang you’re always on the safe side, you’re going to say what people want to hear. Huwag na ‘yung ganu’n. Gawin natin, totoo na tayo.”

She explained that her definition of a friend is “someone you can trust, you can talk to, ‘yung nakakasama mo talaga.”

Concepcion did earn a friend over the eight months “Halik” has been on air — Nina Dolino, who portrays Marissa, Jade’s best friend in the series.

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A post shared by Yam Concepcion (@yamconcepcion) on Oct 25, 2018 at 4:31pm PDT

“Iyon ‘yung, alam niya ‘yung personal life ko, kinikuwento ko sa kanya, and I trust her. It’s nice na nakahanap ka ng ganu’n,” she said.

As their characters frequently shared scenes, Concepcion and Dolino had a chance to form a friendship over time. This was not the case with Santos, Concepcion pointed out.

“I really hope, sana talaga, nagkaroon kami ng time ni Yen also, para nakapag-usap kami,” she said.

Concepcion discussed her relationship with her “Halik” co-stars in light of the hit drama’s nearing finale on April 26.