Are John Lloyd Cruz and Shaina Magdayao back in each other arms?
The speculation grew louder after Shaina Magdayao's older sister Vina Morales told the press, "I always knew naman na magkakabalikan silang dalawa."
But John Lloyd has chosen to keep mum.
"I keep my mouth shut muna," the top matinee idol said during the renewal of his contract with Magic Flakes, a brand he endorses, at the Xin Tain Di restaurant at the Crown Plaza Hotel, Ortigas, Pasig City, earlier today, December 15, 2011.
Combining charm and caution, he told the press when the questions veered towards his love life: "Don't be afraid."
But his biggest revelation during the interview was: "Not officially. Yun lang."
The award-winning actor continued, "Masyado kami sigurong naging...ako, ako siguro, ayoko nang mandamay.
"Masyado siguro akong naging open sa media, sa public, ng personal life ko, na parang naging out of control na.
"Ngayon lang nangyari 'to.
"Right now, uhm, kung anuman yung gusto kong ma-achieve related to your question, siguro the best way to protect it muna for now is to keep it to myself and let it be as private as possible."
MORE JOHN LLOYD-SHAINA SIGHTINGS? The possibility of seeing them together is big, he admitted.
Despite everything that has been said in the press about their relationship, he said: "Maayos naman kami."
It will be recalled that the couple broke up last month. Shaina denied that Ruffa Gutierrez had anything to do with it, but admitted confronting the TV5 star via text. John Lloyd also said no third party was involved.
He elaborated: "Shortly after everything that happened, maayos naman kami.
"And, kung anuman yung mga naging problema, I had to attend to it, everything...especially yung mga related sa family.
"So, yun lang yung ginawa ko. And for now, that's all I can tell you. Maayos kami.
"Wala kaming...wala naman kaming problema. We're okay. We can spend...we spend time together," he said.
The last time they were interviewed on The Buzz, both admitted that the relationship was going through a rough patch.
But now is what John Lloyd dubbed a "discovery" period.
He elaborated, "Siguro we're still trying to discover how to really take care of something like this, you know. Yun lang, I guess. Siguro yun ang pinakamagandang sagot...
"We're still...I'm still trying to discover yung the best way how to take care of this."
Probing some more, PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) and other showbiz media present asked: You're not together officially?
"No, we're not," was his quick answer. "I'll leave it to my previous statement. Yun na lang.
"I don't wanna dissect it. I don't wanna, a, a...what do you call this...I don't wanna elaborate on it. Ayoko na. Ayoko na."
Is he blaming the media, which, in one way or another, magnified the testy situation they were in before?
The Star Magic talent replied, "I'm sure hindi lang yun. I'm sure hindi lang yun.
"Siguro masyadong naging open, susceptible sa kung anu-ano, sa kung anu-anong klase ng attacks.
"So... ayun. And of course, you know, it always takes two to tango. Hindi lang puwede yung yun lang ang may problema. I'm sure ikaw din may problema."
Is love lovelier the second time around?
"Yeah. Kung paano mo siya naiisip, yeah. Hindi naman mahirap, e, ah...
"Siguro gusto nilang marinig from us, yung galing mismo sa kagaya ko—mga kagaya namin pero lahat din naman kami, kagaya niyo, mga normal na tao na may normal na buhay—na may normal na relasyon.
"So kung paano niyo naiisip, hindi malayo. Hindi malayo yung, yung, yung...the most sincere desire."
The press, mercifully for him, shifted the topic to his plans for Christmas.
"Dito lang ako on Christmas Day," he said.
Then he added, "There's a big trip for me and my family. And inviting her is a possibility."
The "her" is, of course, Shaina.