Miguel Tanfelix showed guts when he publicly asked Bianca Umali at the actress’ debut party if he could court her, officially.
Bianca's coming-out party was held last March 17 at the EDSA Shangri-La in Mandaluyong City.
To prove his good intention, Miguel in his declaration first sought the permission of Lola Victorina, Bianca’s paternal grandmother whom everyone fondly calls Mama Vicky.
Miguel had implored Mama Vicky, “Ngayong 18 na po si Bianca, hihingin ko po sana yung permiso niyo…
“Puwede ko po bang i-express kung ano po yung nararamdaman ko para sa magandang dalaga dito?
“Manliligaw pa lang naman po ako kay Bianca, especially sa inyo, kailangan ko pa pong kunin yung loob niyo.”
Miguel got the answer he needed to hear, with a warning.
Mama Vicky told him, “Hindi na kailangang kunin, kailangan konting alalay.
“Kasi alam mo, ang lumalakad nang matulin kung matinik ay malalim.
“So, hinay-hinay lang tayo, ‘wag kang mainip, sa tamang panahon.
“Matalik kang kaibigan, di ba? So, aantayin natin yun, ime-maintain natin yun.”
Laughing, Miguel respectfully replied, “Thank you, thank you, nirerespeto ko po yung desisyon niyo.”
In a post-event interview with PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) and YES! Magazine, Miguel related, “I respect her lola’s decision.
“She has a point naman, so I just continue na i-prove sa kanya what I feel for her [apo] and still respect her decision.
“It’s okay, we will just take our time.
"That’s the most important thing naman, to enjoy every step of the way."
He said his speech was “spontaneous” and didn’t expect he would get so emotional.
“Ayoko sana, but can’t help it.”
About his proposal, Miguel said, “Actually, naniniwala pa rin [ako] sa tradisyon ng mga Pinoy.
“Siyempre, hindi lang siya babae na hihingin mo yung kamay, but pati sa parents niya, sa guardian niya.
“I’ve been planning it, matagal na, I just waited for her to turn 18.”
In the end, the Kapuso actor reassured, “Andito pa rin ako for her and, of course, kay Lola.
“Kailangan pa natin kunin yung loob lalo, di ba? The right time will come, I’m sure.
“I’ve waited for how many years, and by the time na dumating yun, it’s gonna be worth it.”
Miguel and Bianca star in the GMA-7 teleserye Kambal, Karibal.