Rumors are circulating that real-life sweethearts Diether Ocampo and Kristine Hermosa have split up, or if not, that their relationship is on the rocks. The issue was set ablaze again following the couple's statements during the Valentine party-cum-press con for ABS-CBN'S new episodes of Love Spell, Your Song, and Pedro Penduko last Friday, January 26, held at the station's 9501 Restaurant.
Although Diet and Tintin tried to veer the questions away from the issue, their answers revealed that their relationship is currently in its rough stages.
Tintin admitted that Diet is courting her again. And that they are just "good friends" these days.
"Ever since naman, we're good friends. Ngayon, naniniwala naman ako na nililigawan niya ulit ako. Ayoko kasing lagyan ng label [yung relationship namin] e. We're taking it slow and gusto ko pang ma-develop yung friendship namin ni Diet. At alam kong nililigawan niya ako...Gusto kong magpaligaw," said Tintin smiling.
To which Diet agreed, "Kagaya ng sabi ni Kristine, yun ang sa tingin niya ay pinagdadaanan namin ngayon. Pero siyempre, I have to honor that and I have to respect that. Kasi sa buhay ng showbiz couple, ang dami ninyong pinagdadaanang pagsubok.
"I can say sa point ng buhay namin ngayon, kailangan naming i-reassess yung mga pinagdaanan namin. So if we want na mas higit pa ang pagsasamahan namin doon in the near future, para ma-consolidate yung magagandang pinagsamahan namin, kailangan naming lagyan ng magandang pundasyon."
But the actor hinted at a bump in their present situation.
Diet said, "Actually, sa process na dinadaanan namin ngayon, medyo mahirap para sa aming pareho dahil magkasama lagi kami sa trabaho. At the same time, may mga taong involved na ayaw din naming masaktan. Pero para sa akin, kung yun man ang sinasabi niya, I have to respect that.
"I think everyone is aware na marami nga kaming naging pagkakamali, di ba? Hindi naman namin itinatatwa ‘yon. Dahil kumbaga in-acknowledge namin yung mga mali namin. At the same time, we're willing to learn, and [we're] still learning."
He added, "It's kinda vague actually kung ano ang talagang definition or description kung ano kami after nung revelation namin sa The Buzz. So it's a struggle for us to learn everything in the process dahil parang lahat ng bagay na nangyayari sa amin, first time naming na-experience e. So, pareho kaming walang alam. So, pareho kaming... ‘Okay, pa naman tayo, ‘di ba?'
"Just as long as we both know na napapasaya pa natin ang isa't isa. At importante na pinangangalagaan natin ang pagkakaibigan natin. Yun ang pundasyon na ayaw naming pabayaan. ‘Pag yun ang nasira, definitely, wala nang pupuntahan."
It may be recalled that Diether and Kristine were secretly married in civil rites last September 12, 2004, but the young actress filed for an annulment on June 21, 2005. The court has yet to decide on the case.
And although Kristine said that she's already sure who will always stay in her heart, she is not closing her "door" to other guys. The actress has also given Diet the freedom to entertain the possibility of meeting other girls.
"Siyempre sa puso ko... alam ko sa puso ko kung sino talaga," says Kristine. "Pero ayokong isarado yung pintuan ko para do'n sa mga taong puwede ko pang makilala. Hindi naman ibig sabihin na ‘pag nakakilala ako ng ibang mga tao, ibig sabihin, pipili na ‘ko dun, di ba?"
Talking about Diet, she said with a smile, "Parang siya, gusto ko rin siyang mag-enjoy. Ayoko rin siyang limitahan kung sino pa yung mga darating sa buhay niya. Kung sino pa yung mga i-entertain niya."
But asked if she wouldn't get jealous if she found out Diet was courting another girl, Tintin was quick to say, "Meron! Oo, okay kami, pero di mo naman maiiwasan ‘yan. Emotions ‘yan, ‘di ba?"
Diether and Kristine will be the featured couple in the "Click Na Click" episode of the Kapamilya network's Love Spell.