Francine Diaz and Seth Fedelin stand out not just for their undeniable chemistry as FranSeth but for their shared struggles and triumphs. Their journey is a testament to the adage that timing is everything.

 In another episode of BRGY with Bianca Gonzales, they shared that they recently celebrated their fifth year as a love team, a milestone that coincided with their latest achievement: starring in “My Future You, an official entry to the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) 2024. It’s their first big-screen project, and neither of them expected it to land on such a prestigious stage. “Yes, hindi po talaga. Kasi medyo matagal na rin namin ito natapos” Francine shares. “Tapos bigla na lang kaming nagulantang sa news na official entry sa MMFF.”

Seth echoes her sentiment, marveling at the serendipity that brought them to this point. Their excitement is palpable, but what truly sets them apart is the depth of their connection—one rooted in shared experiences of family hardships and the resilience born from it.

Francine recounts her childhood vividly, a time when financial struggles forced her family to make do with so little. “Siyempre, wala pa kaming car noon, so commute talaga siya.” she recalls. “Tapos ‘pag umuwi siya ng bahay, nakikita ko talaga nasi-stress si Mama.” It was in these moments of adversity that Francine found her resolve. “Sabi ko ayokong maging walang kwentang anak. So kahit mahirap nun ‘yung mag-auditions, talagang kasi dati ‘di ba, Ate, talagang pipilahan mo lahat eh.”

On the other hand, Seth speaks with pride about his father’s sacrifices, despite the challenges they faced. “Parang ‘pag ngayon ‘pag iniisip ko, parang sobrang pagod talaga ng hirap na ginawa ng Erpat ko doon. Kasi umuwi siya dito, parang ang dala lang ng tatay ko, 40,000 sa apat na taon. ‘Di ba? 10,000 per year.”

Their shared hardships have only deepened their bond, creating a love team that’s more than just a partnership for the cameras. “Hindi siya, kung baga parang, same kami ng pangarap, same ‘yung pamilya namin, same ng gusto para sa’min, saka same kami ng pinagdaanan ng buhay, so malaking advantage siya dahil sa lahat ng ginagawa namin proyekto, ganado kami.” Francine nods in agreement.

They shared the untold stories behind their glitzy showbiz careers, revealing a deep connection to their families’ sacrifices and the aspirations that shaped their lives. Francine, reflecting on her childhood as the daughter of an OFW, expressed how much she and her siblings now appreciate their parents’ efforts. Meanwhile, Seth opened up about his childhood dream of becoming a seaman, a goal he had long before entering showbiz. “So, yun talaga, ‘pag hindi ako nakapag-college, sasampa ako ng barko, kahit utusan lang doon.” he shared, revealing how his uncle once encouraged him to pursue this path.

Francine also reminisced about her dream of becoming a doctor, inspired by her family’s financial struggles. “’Yung mga kapatid ko na maliliit, sakitin talaga sila. Wala kasi kami pang hospital parati kapag mataas na ‘yung lagnat o kailangan ng dalhin,” Her vision included building a hospital near their home to make healthcare more accessible for families like hers.

Seth explored other passions, such as culinary arts and even aviation, but realized he wanted to follow a path that truly resonated with him.

Their candid conversation painted a picture of resilience and gratitude, with dreams deeply rooted in their family values. Francine and Seth’s journey reminds us of the dreams that start in the humblest of places and the determination it takes to make them come true, proof that success shines brightest when fueled by love and hard work.