Shaina and Rayver hit it off beautifully, in reel-real life

But then she just can't leave her career in the Philippines. Shaina has been paired with Jolo Revilla in Agimat and Seasons of Love and with Alwyn Uytingco in Bida si Mister, but it's her team-up with Rayver Cruz in Ikaw ang Lahat sa Akin and Love Spell that clicked. "He's approved by mommy as my love-team. It's because, before, she felt that I was still too young."

So what's the real score between them? "We're friends. I want him to be my partner as he's a six footer while I'm 5'6" and so I'm free to use my high heels. He's nice. He gave me roses on my birthday last November and a Samsonite shoulder bag last Christmas. He always buys me food in our taping for Abt Ur Luv and shooting of Happy Hearts for Regal. But he‚s not courting me formally."

In Abt Ur Luv, shown Saturdays at 5 p.m., she plays Neri, a girl from the province whose seaman dad is missing at sea. She stays with her cousins in Manila and meets Rayver, who's already going steady with Denise Laurel.

Shaina will not mind having Rayver (a contraction of his full name, Raymond Oliver) for her first boyfriend. She's 17 while he's 18 and they are the latest Star Magic talents to be given a push by ABS-CBN.

"Rayver is very kind," says Shaina. "He's also very thoughtful. Once he hears me saying that I want to eat, he will immediately ask his assistant to buy me my favourite food at a popular fastfood restaurant."

We asked Rayver if he's courting Shaina. His answer: "I'm just mustering enough courage. At any rate, I'm already sending signals that I really would like to court her."