Real-life couple Marvin Keifer and Jef Gaitan play sweethearts in 'My Stalking Heart.' (Photo by ROWENA JOY A. SANCHEZ)

After being castaways in Palau island for two months, “Survivor Philippines: Palau's” Jef Gaitan and Marvin Keifer are set to be launched in showbiz via “Dear Heart Presents: My Stalking Heart,” where they will be “stalked” by fresh pair Jennica Garcia and Carl Guevarra.

Marvin admitted in a joint interview with his seven-month girlfriend that back in his elementary days, he used to “observe” people.

“You know sa classroom, ino-observe ko lang ‘yung tao. Nothing bad or serious. Curious lang sa anong ginagawa ng tao pag walang nakatingin,” he told Manila Bulletin Entertainment Online during the show’s press conference at Eivissa Superclub, March 2.

Meanwhile, Jef experienced more than being observed—she actually had a stalker before she entered the reality show.

“Nag-start siya… I think meron akong poser na naging friend niya sa Friendster. Tapos hinanap na niya ko, ‘yung account ko, until pati ‘yung mga family and friends ko kino-contact para sabihin [niya] na siya ‘yung boyfriend ko.

“Nung time na nakita niya ko, nag-message ako sa kanya. Sabi ko ‘Sorry, hindi ‘yan ‘yung real Jef na kausap mo. Ako ‘yung real Jef and hindi kita kilala’,” she narrated.

However, it didn’t end there.

“Akala ko makaka-move on na siya. Pero nung nalaman niya kung sino ako, mas lalo pa siyang nangulit, up to a point na tine-threaten na niya ‘yung life ko pati nung family ko,” Jef related.

Then came the call for “Survivor,” and it must’ve been a blessing in disguise, for aside from the prize, experience, not to mention the love life she got, she didn’t hear from her stalker.

“Bale mga dalawang buwan na walang contact from him. Actually three months kasi pina-deactivate ‘yung Facebook namin. So hindi na ko nakaka-receive ng messages from him. So siguro nung three months, medyo tumahimik na siya,” she said.

In the end, the obsessed pursuant regained his sanity.

“Nung pagbalik ko, nung nag-e-air na ‘yung ‘Survivor’, nag-message ulit siya tapos nag-sorry na siya sa lahat ng mga ginawa niya. Naka-move on na siya,” the 22-year old model-actress related, feeling relieved.

Her chapter with ex-boyfriend, acoustic musician Nyoy Volante, has also closed.

“After ‘Survivor’ nagkita kami, kasi of course nag-usap naman kami in person ‘di ba? Okay naman kami. ‘Yun naman ang gusto ko kay Nyoy, sobrang calm siya. Okay lang siya. Mabait siyang kausap. Pinlatsa lang namin ‘yung pag-e-end ng relationship, then after that, we’re friends. Hindi naman kami bad breakup.”

Interestingly and coincidentally, her character’s name is that of another ex-flame of Nyoy: Nina. Jef chuckled when it was pointed out.

“Nung nakita ko ‘yung script tapos nakita ko Nina name ko, sobrang natawa talaga ako kasi alam ko na na merong mga questions na magka-come up tungkol dun. Pero okay lang, iba naman ‘yung character ko dito and iba naman ‘yung kuwento,” she admitted, adding she hasn’t met the Soul Siren in person.

In “My Stalking Heart,” Jef plays the other girlfriend of Marvin’s character, Eric. When Eric’s first girlfriend, played by Jennica, discovers that her boyfriend is involved in a different “business,” she joins forces with Nina’s best friend and secret admirer Julio (Carl) to stalk the love birds and break them apart.

Playing onscreen sweethearts has its good side and bad side, Jef and Marvin admit.

“Oo siguro medyo advantage because it’s easier for us to act real. At the same time, ‘yun din ‘yung hindrance, ‘yun kasi sinasabi niya sa’kin medyo naiilang siya. Kasi ito ‘yung personal space namin tapos pinapakita namin sa tao. Parang medyo yes and no,” said Marvin.

Jef added: “Tapos sa scenes kasi minsan, iba ‘yung gusto nila sa normal naming lambingan. Minsan gusto nila ng ganitong lambingan, eh iba ‘yung natural naming lambingan. So i-a-adjust namin to what they want. Pero ang hirap kasi parang we’re playing a role tapos in real life, kaming dalawa.”

Off-cam, the two happily shared that their relationship is “growing strong.”

“May growth and mas nakilala kasi namin ‘yung isa’t-isa. Hindi pa man ganun kabuo pero nakikita na namin ‘yung good side and bad side ng isa’t-isa. [And in spite of that] we’re still together,” said Jef.

Directed by Mac Alejandre, the rest of the cast of “Dear Heart Presents: My Stalking Heart” includes Dexter Doria, Caridad Sanchez, Geoff Taylor, Jay Aquintana, and Gene Padilla.

The four lead characters’ intertwined love stories begin on March 7.