Vic Sotto and Pauleen Luna are now engaged!
Vic confirmed their engagement earlier today, September 2, at the presscon of the real estate company he is endorsing, the Citi Global Realty and Development Inc.
Expectedly, "Congratulations!" broke out soon after Vic's announcement.
The loudest cheer came from people who know the couple.
It was no secret that their four-year relationship hurdled other challenges, aside from their 34-year age gap.
ROUGH START. In the beginning, Vic and Pauleen kept their relationship quiet.
The rumor that they were dating started to circulate in December 2011, with both parties neither confirming nor denying it.
It was at the press conference for Enteng Ng Ina Mo that Vic was first confronted about their relationship.
He evaded the question and talked about Pauleen's cameo role instead.
"Si Pauleen Luna has a very important, pivotal, ha, pivotal ang role niya rito sa pelikulang ito.
"And in fairness to Pauleen, maganda ang pagkakaganap niya..."
Prior to that, Vic's son with Dina Bonnevie, Oyo Sotto, posted a brusque comment on Twitter.
"Ang dami talagang mukang pera... ang daming lumalandi! Nakakalungkot (hindi sa akin) Haay nako...."
This was followed by another tweet, “Respeto lang.”
At that time, it was alleged that Vic had been showering Pauleen with gifts.
Fanning the flames were reports about Vic supposedly helping Pauleen build her house.
In an interview with Startalk last January 7, 2012, the Eat Bulaga co-host cried, "unfair."
Mrs. Chat Luna, Pauleen’s mom, also issued a statement:
"Since her start in this industry, she has but one goal—that is to enjoy what she loves the most—acting and hosting. What she earns from this profession comes secondary to her passion.
"That is why it pains her and us as well to hear that she is using someone else for financial gains…
"She is a very simple lady with simple wants and needs. She has been smart in ensuring that her future is secured through her investments.
"We would like to extend our regrets to Mr. Vic Sotto for being dragged in this issue.
"We respect his show of interest with Pauleen and trust that whatever she decides regarding this matter will be for the best of everyone."
READ Pauleen Luna's mom issues statement about Vic-Pauleen rumors
In January 2013, Oyo had a change of heart.
During the story conference for Vampire Ang Daddy Ko, he said, “Ako, okay lang kahit kanino man siya ma-in love… yun lang.
“Basta sa amin naman ni Ate [Danica], basta maalagaan siya, at yung relasyon nila… kumbaga magmahalan lang sila.”
VIC'S FIRST ANNOUNCEMENT. On December 14, 2013, Bossing (Vic's moniker) finally admitted his relationship with Pauleen in Boy Abunda’s Bandila segment “Ikaw Na."
Boy asked, “Huling katanungan, kung bubuksan ko ang iyong puso ngayon, ano pangalan ng babae ang nakasulat?”
After a long pause, Vic smiled and told him, “Pauleen.”
READ Vic Sotto finally admits relationship with Pauleen Luna
AGE GAP. The May-December affair obviously didn't sit well with Vic's kids.
In one interview, Danica admitted, “Ayokong magsinungaling. Nung una, parang medyo nakakailang yung edad."
In March 2013, Vic's ex-wife Dina Bonnevie echoed the same sentiments.
“Sinabi ko sa kanya [Vic] eto noon… noon-noon pa ito. Kasi, parang nagkaroon sila ng misunderstanding ni Oyo.
“'Tapos, sabi ko, ‘Alam mo, Vic, kaya nasasaktan yung mga bata, kasi mas bata pa sa kanila.'
"Parang, ewan ko, ha? 'Look after your future.
"'Baka naman pag sixty-five ka na, at masakit na yung mga tuhod mo, uugud-ugod ka na, e, gusto pang pumarty nung isa?'
"Ang layo masyado ng agwat.
“Sabi ko, ‘Why don’t you get someone who would understand when you grow old?'"
In another interview in April 2014, Danica underlined her “respect” for Pauleen.
“Some people find it, like, parang medyo surprising na ang bata, but I cannot not respect her because she’s nice to me.
“She’s nice, she takes care of my dad. She’s very maasikaso.
"So, parang walang reason para sungitan ko siya or anything.
“We have ano naman, parang good relationship naman.
"Civil din kami. Nag-uusap din kami, ganun.
"Nakakasama ko rin siya lumabas, but with my dad."
Danica also revealed that Pauleen is close to her kids, Mic and Caela.
In June 2014, Dina praised Pauleen for sticking with Vic despite all odds, "...the mere fact that she's still there, it's not right for people to judge her na she's not sincere.
"Some people would say na she's just after the money, but can you imagine how much this girl has to put up with?
"The fact nga na nandun pa siya, 'E' [for excellent] or 'A' for effort yun.
"Hinahangaan ko siya kasi hindi naman madali yun."
Dina and Pauleen met for first time last June 18, 2015.
Pauleen described Vic's ex-wife as “very warm” and the meeting made her “very happy.”
In a separate interview last August 15, Dina described the encounter as "very bold gesture" on the part of Pauleen.
Now the wife of Ilocos Sur Vice Governor Deogracias Victor Savellano, Dina added, "Lalo na alam ng mga tao na, 'Naku, mataray si Ms. D.'
"Pero sa akin, very bold na lumapit siya, maayos naman and I commend her for that.
"Parang wow, hats off ako..."
WEDDING TALKS. It was early this year when the couple began dropping hints that they're ready to take their relationship to the next level.
Last May, it was even reported that Vic proposed in Hong Kong.
Added to this was the rumor claiming Vic had been building a house for Pauleen.
But Bossing countered, “May sarili naman siyang bahay na sila ang nagpatayo, siya at ang kanyang mga magulang.”
On May 9, 2015, Pauleen said her relationship with Bossing had gone from "roller-coaster" to "smooth na smooth."
She also didn't deny that they've been talking about marriage.
What kind of wedding does she imagine for him and Bossing?
“The simplest wedding that can happen, kasi simple lang talaga kaming dalawa.”
And now that Bossing had popped the question, the two are back to being mum about the details.
Vic said earlier, "...sa tamang panahon."
On Instagram, Pauleen wrote, "in God's perfect time."
A photo posted by Marie Pauleen Luna (@pauleenluna) onSep 2, 2015 at 4:03am PDT