Aljur Abrenica and Kris Bernal

Although they are considered among the most successful young stars of their generation, Aljur Abrenica and Kris Bernal don’t see the accolade as a comfortable bed to sleep on.

The duo, which is paired anew on GMA-7’s opening salvo in 2010, “The Last Prince,” reveals they are now experiencing bigger pressure to prove themselves.

“If before there was pressure to prove yourself worthy, right now, there is pressure to prove we could last longer in the business,” shared Abrenica.

“Now, more than ever, I realize that it’s too early to relax…there’s more work that needs to be done.”

Bernal rejoined: “It’s scary to be in a position where so many people are expecting so much from you, but it’s also very exciting.”

Abrenica and Bernal are products of “StarStruck,” GMA-7’s talent search program. They were first paired with others from their batch until the chemistry of their tandem on such shows as “Dyesebel” and “Boys Next Door” proved they are the right match.

The success of their pairing in “Sine Novela Presents: Dapat Ka Bang Mahalin?” cemented this fact.

And though subsequent efforts like the TV series “All My Life” and the movie “Nandito Ako... Nagmamahal Sa 'Yo” weren’t as successful, GMA 7 is still bent on pushing the love team to higher echelons.

“Exactly, that’s why I feel so much pressure.GMA-7 really believes in us and is really pushing us to [do better] and I worry…what if I don’t meet expectations? But at the same time, I’m like, I’m just going to do my best…bahala na,” Abrenica said.

“We are really pushing ourselves to do our best [kasi] nakakahiya sa GMA. It won’t help if we just keep on worrying,” Bernal added.

“The Last Prince” has GMA-7 pulling out all stops to create a fantastical production worthy of a big movie.

“This project is really expensive…the sets, the costumes…GMA really made an effort to make it really good. They really spent for this.

“Kris and I…we don’t want to let them down. We pray really hard that we meet their expectations…that when it opens on January 11, our efforts will be worthwhile,” said Abrenica.

Bernal admitted that she is partly scared of how things will turn out.

“This is the biggest project we are going to handle…bigger than ‘All My Life’…bigger than our movie…” she mused aloud.

Abrenica talked about the physical preparations that “The Last Prince” entailed. 

“Because I’m going to wear costumes that are meant to reveal more of my body, I am hitting the gym almost daily now…I am also watching my diet…I didn’t eat that much during the holidays [laughs]…that’s how dedicated I am for this,” said Abrenica. 

Having been paired many times in the past, the two admit that they are more than just working partners.

“How do I put it? Hmmm…we’re MU---yeah, we have a mutual understanding,” Bernal revealed.

Is Abrenica eager to push the envelope with her?

“Why not? Kris has all the attributes I look for in a girl…it could happen.”