Not all love stories end in happily-ever-after.
Often, these breakups hit the top of the headlines, and the stars swear to never cross paths ever again.
But time heals wounds, as they say, and the world of showbiz is a small circle, so these former celebrity couples reunite, if not for a project, then in certain chance encounters.
Even if they weren't meant to be, they prove that it's possible to be on good terms even after a controversial breakup.
Here, PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) lists 10 real-life celebrity couples who crossed paths again. Whose encounter was a happy one? Who felt awkward?
1. JERICHO ROSALES AND HEART EVANGELISTA
In 2005, Jericho Rosales handpicked Heart Evangelista to be his leading lady for the fantasy series Panday. This on-screen partnership turned into a relationship that lasted for three years.
Why did they break up?
In a 2013 interview with YES! Magazine, Heart indicated that her romance with Jericho put a strain on her relationship with her rich parents.
They disapproved of the Kapamilya actor because he already had a child from a previous relationship.
Being with Jericho cut her off from her parents’ support, so she was struggling. But she was happy to be with the man whom she said was her “one true love.”
She had to break up with him, however, because her parents made her believe that he was cheating.
Jericho, for his part, consistently stated in his 2008 TV interviews that he never cheated on Heart.
He wanted to work things out with Heart, but he never got the chance to see her again after their breakup.
REUNION: In 2017, a photo of their reunion in an intimate anniversary party went viral.
The two may have found new partners, but netizens couldn't help but feel kilig when Heart and Jericho bumped into each other in that event.
They were seen exchanging pleasantries while still maintaining physical distance towards each other.
When they met again just recently, Heart and Jericho appeared to be more at ease with each other.
They got to see each other at an intimate get-together of Johnny Manahan's "babies" including John Lloyd Cruz, Piolo Pascual, Diether Ocampo, Bea Alonzo, and Maja Salvador.
- EXCLUSIVE: Reason why Heart Evangelista, Jericho Rosales, Mr. M babies had a reunion
- Heart Evangelista posts reunion with ex-boyfriend Jericho Rosales, other Mr. M babies
2. ALJUR ABRENICA AND KYLIE PADILLA
Just this month, Aljur Abrenica admitted in an interview that the reason why his marriage fell apart was that he cheated on Kylie Padilla.
READ: Aljur Abrenica admits cheating on Kylie Padilla: "Totoo naman."
The ex-couple’s relationship started in 2011, but despite their efforts, it fell apart in 2021.
Aljur and Kylie did not have an official love team project when they both worked together in GMA-7, so they couldn't be considered an on-screen tandem.
But the two were in each other’s peripheries, working together in variety shows like Party Pilipinas.
In 2011, the two accidentally met in a Wushu workshop, and it was love at first sight.
They got together quickly, then broke up in 2012.
Their on-an-off romance ensued.
Aljur and Kylie got back together in 2013, broke up in 2014, and reunited in 2016.
A year later, Aljur and Kylie announced they were having a baby. The couple got married in 2018, and were since blessed with two sons.
After three years of marital bliss, cheating rumors surfaced in 2021. They broke up in April of that year.
REUNION: Just this week, photos of Aljur reuniting with Kylie at the Parade of the Stars for the Summer Metro Manila Film Festival went viral.
The two were cordial when they saw each other during the promotion of their respective movies.
Kylie and Aljur were vocal in saying that they have a healthy co-parenting relationship.
Both are reportedly currently in a relationship with someone new—Aljur with AJ Raval and Kylie with a non-showbiz guy.
3. CRISTINE REYES AND ALI KHATIBI
Cristine Reyes and Ali Khatibi met through Hale frontman Champ Lui Pio in 2012.
It was Ali who taught her jiu jitsu.
While sparks flew between them in 2013, they parted ways because Ali was in a relationship with another woman.
After ten months of not speaking to each other, Cristine and Ali met again when she initiated a phone call and then went to see him in Zambales.
READ: Cristine Reyes, Ali Khatibi, and their "you and me against the world" story
Cristine gave birth to their baby Girl Amarah in 2015.
Then the following year, in January 2016, Cristine and Ali tied the knot in an intimate wedding in Balesin.
Citing a source close to the couple, PEP.ph reported in October 2018 that Cristine and Ali separated in March of that year.
It was only in March 2019 when Cristine hinted at their breakup and that she and Ali are "civil" to each other.
REUNION: Cristine and Ali may have broken up, but they remained co-parents to their daughter Amarah.
In December 2018, amid reports about their split, the two were seen spending time with their daughter Amarah at a Christmas party.
Their family photo was posted on a Facebook account attributed to Amarah.
Just this week, April 2023, Cristine posted a collage of photos with Ali taken at various school events of their daughter Amarah.
READ: Ex-couple Cristine Reyes, Ali Khatibi attend their daughter Amarah's school events together
It appeared that Cristine and Ali continues to have a healthy co-parenting relationship even if Cristine has already found someone new.
Recent reports stated that Cristine is exclusively dating Marco Gumabao.
4. GERALD ANDERSON AND KIM CHIU
In 2010, Gerald Anderson shocked fans when he broke down beside Kim Chiu during the presscon for their movie Till My Heartaches End.
That ended the Kimerald reel-and-real life tandem that began when both young actors entered the Pinoy Big Brother house in 2006.
Several reports indicated that the breakup stemmed from Gerald moving on from the relationship.
He started dating Bea Alonzo, and this made Kim’s fans mad enough to send him death threats. These threats led to his breakdown in the presscon.
REUNION: Gerald and Kim have starred in several reunion projects since their breakup. The most prominent project was 2017’s Ikaw Lang Ang Iibigin, a prime-time drama series where the ex-couple starred with Jake Cuenca.
To date, Kim's 11-year relationship with Xian Lim is going strong, while Gerald is happily in a relationship with Julia Barretto.
- Kimerald together again!
- #THROWBACK: Kim Chiu and Gerald Anderson's ten-year journey as a love team
- Showbiz History: Gerald Anderson tearfully admits hurting Kim Chiu’s feelings
4. KRIS AQUINO AND HERBERT BAUTISTA
Kris Aquino and Herbert Aquino got engaged twice, but they ended up parting ways in both occasions, according to several exclusive reports of PEP.ph.
Their up-and-down, on-and-off, secret-and no-to-so-secret romance began in 2014.
Herbert proposed marriage to Kris at the time, but he broke her heart when he denied her to the press.
In 2017, they crossed paths again in Rome, Italy.
Herbert proposed again, and he backed up his intention to marry Kris with a Bvlgari ring.
Kris accepted the ring, but returned it back to Herbert the next day, saying they could never be truly happy with each other in the long run.
- WHAT PEP KNOWS: Kris Aquino reveals Mayor Herbert Bautista gave her a diamond ring and proposed marriage a second time
- Kris Aquino reveals meeting Mayor Herbert Bautista for "very friendly" lunch
REUNION: Kris and Herbert managed to be on good terms for a while.
In 2018, they were seen having dinner with common friends.
Kris also posted a Facebook video where she said that she and Herbert had "good closure" because they were able to end things between them in a mature way.
In November 2021, Kris revealed that she personally handed a "birthday/goodbye gift letter" to Herbert when they met in May that year.
Still according to Kris, she and Herbert also had a phone conversation in July 2021 as she told him about making a fresh start with her new boyfriend at the time Mel Sarmiento.
But the two became at odds again when Kris took a swipe at Herbert during the 2022 elections campaign.
To date, Kris is getting treatment for her autoimmune conditions in the U.S. Herbert, for his part, is reportedly in a relationship with Ruffa Gutierrez.
5. MIGUEL TANFELIX AND BIANCA UMALI
Miguel and Bianca’s love team began in the Kapuso prime-time series Niño in 2014.
The show formed the BiGuel tandem that starred in more shows such as Once Upon a Kiss (2015), Wish I May (2016) and Kambal, Karibal (2017).
Were the two a real-life tandem too?
In Fast Talk With Boy Abunda's February 9, 2023 episode, Miguel admitted that he and Bianca officially became a couple.
They broke up sometime in July 2018.
The Kapuso actor said he and Bianca are friends even if their relationship did not work out.
- Bianca Umali breaks silence on ex-boyfriend Miguel Tanfelix’s revelation about their past
- Bianca Umali, itinuturing na malaking parte ng buhay niya si Miguel Tanfelix
REUNION: Both Kapuso actors do not have any more love team projects together, but their paths cross when they work together in some Kapuso shows.
In October 2023, a video of the two being awkward and seemingly avoiding each other on stage at All Out Sundays went viral.
It was not clear if Bianca and Miguel got the chance to speak to each other, and it led to some netizens asking if they're friends or just civil to each other.
As seen in the video, Bianca was too engrossed with performing the dance steps and cozying up with boyfriend Ruru Madrid who was also part of the group number.
As for Miguel's relationship status, he is romantically linked to his current loveteam partner Ysabel Ortega.
6. MONCHING GUTIERREZ AND LOTLOT DE LEON
Showbizlandia was surprised in 1989 when Ramon Christopher and Lotlot de Leon announced that they were getting married.
They were one of the top love teams at the time, so news of their marriage delighted fans.
Their marriage seemed unproblematic, but alas, a lasting partnership wasn’t meant to be after all.
Their marriage was declared nulled and void by a Quezon City court in 2008.
REUNION: Monching and Lotlot now star together in The Write One.
They haven’t been on-screen together for about 20 years, so there’s a bit of awkwardness.
But both senior actors have admitted that they were happy to work with each other again.
Lotlot has long since found a new love in her husband Fadi El Soury, whom she married in 2018.
- Lotlot and Monching: their home before the split!
- Former couple Lotlot de Leon at Ramon Christopher, reunited on screen after 20 years
7. ARA MINA AND PATRICK MENESES
Sexy star Ara Mina started dating Bulacan politician Patrick Meneses in 2012, but the relationship wasn't smooth-sailing.
Ara and Patrick broke up three years later, in 2015.
They have an eight-year-old daughter Amanda Gabrielle.
In 2016 and 2017, there were reports speculating on whether the two got back together.
- Ara Mina and Patrick Meneses together again?
- Ara Mina teases ex-boyfriend Patrick Meneses: "Alam kong single ka, single ako..."
But Ara and Patrick remained good friends even after she found a new love in 2018.
REUNION: Patrick earned accolades when he posted a sweet message for Ara when she wed businessman Dave Almarinez in 2021.
Patrick posted a picture with the couple on Instagram along with the caption:
“We hardly ever come across a love that is unconditional & so committed to each other, transcending the test of time and growing even stronger through trials.
"I am honored to have witnessed such promising love that you both shared during this memorable occasion. Wishing you both all the best & a Happy Ever After!"
- Patrick Meneses reveals how ex-girlfriend Ara Mina invited him to her wedding
- Dave Almarinez, in-invite ang ex ni Ara na si Patrick Meneses sa stage habang nagko-concert
8. CESAR MONTANO AND SUNSHINE CRUZ
Saying Cesar and Sunshine’s 13-year marriage was rocky is an understatement.
Cracks quickly formed after their marriage in 2000.
In an interview with PEP.ph in 2018, Sunshine admitted they had problems even on their honeymoon.
"Masakit man aminin, pero honeymoon pa lang, tinapon niya yung wedding ring namin sa ano, nung nag-Carribean cruise kami,” she said.
Sunshine and Cesar finally separated in 2013 due to third party and other issues that led to a legal battle between them.
REUNION: In August of last year, Cesar and Sunshine were reunited during the 18th birthday party of their daughter Samantha.
Sunshine then posted on Instagram a glimpse of their reunion saying she is happy that her daughters have reconnected with their father.
Sunshine and Cesar's blended family even celebrated New Year together in Bohol.
9. SETH FEDELIN AND ANDREA BRILLANTES
Seth was added to the cast of the now-defunct Kapamilya afternoon series Kadenang Ginto immediately after his eviction from 2019’s Pinoy Big Brother: Otso.
His tandem with Andrea, one of the show’s leads, worked. Their loveteam became known as SethDrea.
Off-screen, Seth and Andrea developed a real relationship. They secretly dated for two years until they broke up in October 2021.
It was only in April 2022 when Andrea spoke about her past relationship with Seth.
REUNION: Andrea and Seth reunited for the digital series Lyric and Beat in August 2022.
When they faced the press for the show's launch, the two stars explained that they had no problem working together again because they have moved on from their past relationship.
Seth and Andrea also emphasized that they take their jobs as actors seriously so they knew how to be professionals on set.
To date, Andrea is in a relationship with Ricci Rivero, while Seth is still single.
10. PIOLO PASCUAL AND KC CONCEPCION
Piolo Pascual and KC Concepcion worked together as a pair in the Pinoy adaptation of the hit Korean series Lovers in Paris in 2009.
At the time, according to KC, Piolo was already courting her.
They officially became a couple in October 21, 2010, until they broke up in 2011.
REUNION: In 2015, fans were delighted to find out that Piolo and KC had a reunion in London, and were on good terms. They got together for ASAP Live in the European city.
KC even posted on Twitter a photo of her and Piolo hugging each other at a pub.
In an interview with PEP.ph and other reporters, Piolo revealed that he and KC were okay prior to that meeting in London.
He said that he reached out to her when her grandmother passed away in 2014.
To date, KC is in a relationship with a Swiss guy named Steve Michael Wuethrich.
(With additional reports from Rachelle Siazon)