Love knows no boundaries, not even age.
At maraming showbiz couples ang patunay na walang hadlang sa dalawang taong nagmamahalan.
Siyempre sa simula, may mga nag-akalang hindi magtatagal, lalo na yung ang age gap ay at least five years.
But some of them, nagkatuluyan, one pair ay malapit nang malampasan ang tinatawag na seven-year itch.
May isang love team naman na nauwi sa real love, at mahigit isang dosenang taon na silang mag-boyfriend-girlfriend.
In 1998, marami ang nasiyahan sa wedding nina Richard Gomez at Lucy Torres, na may nine-year age gap. They celebrated their 25th annivesary this year.
Marami naman ang namangha sa tatag ng relasyon ng politician na si Ralph Recto, na mas bata kay Vilma Santos ng 10 years. Ikinasal sila noong 1992.
Pero ang OG couple noon na may malaking agwat sa edad ay sina Dolphy at Zsa Zsa Padilla, na may 35-year age gap. They were together since 1989 until his death in 2012.
PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) lists 17 celebrity couples with age gap na higit pa sa five years.
Filipino celebrity couples with age gaps of at least five years
Cristine Reyes and Marco Gumabao (6 years)
“Definitely not tropa anymore,” ang sabi ni Cristine Reyes when she uploaded her profile picture na kasama si Marco Gumabao on her Facebook account noong April 26, 2023. Makikita sa larawang sweet na sweet ang dalawa.
Matatandaang noong 2019 ay nakapanayam ni Cristine si Boy Abunda sa Tonight with Boy Abunda, kung saan natanong siya kung “totropahin” o “jojowain” si Marco.
Sabi ni Cristine, “Si Marco, we're friends. Ang bata pa ni Marco. Ano ako, cougar?"
Cougar is a slang term na ginagamit to describe an older woman who is in a relationship with a much younger man .
Jane Oineza and RK Bagatsing (8 years)
Reel to real naman ang tambalan nina Jane Oineza at RK Bagatsing dahil after three shows, they finally decided to take things to the next level.
Magkatambal ang dalawa sa Kapamilya serye na Araw Gabi (2018), TV5 romantic-comedy series na I Got You (2020), at romantic-drama film na Us Again (2020).
Dahil maganda ang chemistry ng dalawa, netizens couldn't help but wonder kung may namamagitan nga ba sa kanila when Jane posted a sweet message sa kanyang Instagram account noong May 9, 2021, para sa 33rd birthday ni RK.
The caption read, “To this amazing person, my source of happiness... Happy Birthday.”
Within the same month, they officially confirmed their relationship.
Catriona Gray and Sam Milby (9 years)
December 2018 noong unang nakita ng eagle-eyed netizens sina Catriona Gray at Sam Milby na magkasama sa isang farm sa Tanay, Rizal.
At the time, bago pa lamang nahirang na Miss Universe si Catriona. Since then, may speculations na baka they are an item. Rumors circulated again in 2020 after makita ulit silang magkasama, ngunit walang lumabas na photos to prove this, not until May 23, 2020.
Sa 36th birthday ni Sam, they became “Instagram official” noong nag-post ang binata about their relationship sa kanyang Instagram account.
Noong bisperas ng Pasko in 2022, nakasaad sa Instagram post ng Miss Universe 2018, "Today made me the happiest (cloud emoji)." This sparked rumors na tengaged na ang dalawa.
They officially announced their engagement on February 16, 2023, sa magkahiwalay na Instagram posts.
Post ni Catriona (published as is), “Living in an answered prayer with my best friend. I love you, fiancè (eeeeee) [smiling with three hearts, ring emojis] @samuelmilby"
Ang nasabi naman ng aktor, "I (FINALLY) put a ring on it! [grinning face with smiling eyes emoji] I love you my forever koala... now my fiancé [heart emoji]."
Coleen Garcia and Billy Crawford (10 years)
Hindi smooth sailing ang naging simula ng relasyon nina Coleen Garcia at Billy Crawford.
Nung sinabi kasi ni Nikki Gil na "third party" ang dahilan ng breakup nila ni Billy, isa ang pangalan ni Coleen sa mga na-link sa host-performer.
It was 2013 when they started seeing each other. At the time, masalimuot, but they gave it a shot anyway.
In time, they learned to ride the waves and make the most out of their relationship.
Ever since ay vocal na si Billy about his desire to eventually settle down with Coleen.
That dream slowly started to become a reality noong nag-propose siya sa aktres noong December 20, 2017, sa harap ng kanilang pamilya.
It took the actor “19 months” to ask the question.
Sa panayam ni Billy with PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) a few days after the proposal, he said, “Kapag mahal mo ang isang tao, at yung puso mo, utak mo, and I guess, when God gives you the go signal and says, 'This is where you should be,' I just took a chance.
"I just said, 'You know what, if I don't do it now, I'll probably do it next time, and this and that, baka tumagal pa, ayoko na.' I just don't want to let her go.”
Idinaos ang kanilang kasal noong April 20, 2018, sa Balesin Island Resort sa Polilio, Quezon.
They were in a boyfriend-girlfriend relationship for more than three years bago naganap ang magarbo nilang kasal.
Jessy Mendiola and Luis Manzano (11 years)
Speaking of hindi smooth sailing, inamin ni Jessy Mendiola na “immature” ang naging simula ng kanilang relationship ni Luis Manzano.
Sa kanilang YouTube vlog post last March 1, 2022, nagkuwentosi Jessy ukol dito.
Sabi ni Jessy kay Luis about the first few months of their relationship, "Bago tayo ikasal—or even nung bago pa relationship natin—I would always compare myself sa iyo, yung achievements ni Howhow [their term of endearment].
"Siyempre, hindi naman din joke yung negativity na natanggap natin nung nagsimula relationship natin, di ba? And even the impact sa career ko, medyo, alam mo yun? Medyo nabahiran ng masamang image.
"Dumating din talaga sa point na para akong nagkaroon ng wake-up call na feeling ko, parang sobrang immature ko."
They started their relationship on June 26, 2016. Nauwi rin naman sa engagement ang kanilang pagsasama.
During the first week of December 2020, pareho silang nag-post sa kani-kanilang Instagram accounts ng teasers ukol dito with the caption “12.12.20.”
They got engaged on Jessy’s birthday, December 3, 2020, sa Amanpulo, Palawan.
Despite being public about their relationship, nasorpresa naman ang netizens sa kanilang secret wedding na idinaos noong February 21, 2021.
Julia Montes and Coco Martin (13 years)
Kamakailan lang ay nag-reveal si Coco na he has been in a relationship with Julia for around 12 years na. Una silang na-link noong 2011 when they starred sa teleserye na Walang Hanggan (2012), at pelikulang A Moment in Time (2013).
For the longest time, naging laman ng rumors ang dalawa that they are an item, but neither of them confirmed nor denied it.
Napabalita pa sa PEP.ph na may baby na ang dalawa, pero tikom ang bibig nila.
Sa watch party ng upcoming series Unbreak My Heart, kung saan dumalo ang couple noong May 23, 2023.
Entertainment reporter MJ Felipe asked the question, "'Yung pagmamahal mo kay Julia?"
To which Coco answered, "Alam niya na yun!"
When asked to elaborate more on his statement, he said in the same interview, "Basta kami, hindi naman na kaming mga bata. Kung ano yung nakikita at iniisip ng mga tao, yun na yun. Mas masarap yung pakiramdam na pribado ang buhay namin, tahimik. Walang mga issue. Ito, masaya kami."
Dagdag pa niya, "Napakasarap ng pakiramdam namin dahil 12 years na kaming magkasama, pero pareho pa rin tulad ng dati. Nilu-look forward namin kapag may project na magkasama kami and then kapag may pagkakataon, nakakalabas kami, nakikita kami ng mga tao pero name-maintain namin ang privacy sa buhay namin."
Ano naman ang masasabi ni Julia?
"Kung ano ang position namin ngayon, sobrang blessed lang talaga kami. And never nawala sa center si God so hindi nawawala ang mga good stuff. Si God talaga ang center."
Beauty Gonzalez and Norman Crisologo (15 years)
Contrary to popular opinion, hindi naging hadlang kina Beauty Gonzalez at Norman Crisologo ang kanilang mga edad.
In fact, they both believe that this is one of the things that helped them sort out their differences together.
On March 1, 2017, the couple got engaged in Sitio Remedios, Ilocos Norte. They were already together for five years at the time.
They got married on May 6, 2017, sa Antonio’s Restaurant, Tagaytay.
Mariel Rodriguez and Robin Padilla (15 years)
Noong July 29, 2010, inamin ni Robin Padilla sa PEP.ph na he is courting Mariel Rodriguez. It was during his interview with the press sa set ng Wowowee.
At that time, guest host si Robin while mainstay host naman ang role ni Mariel.
Robin first appeared in the variety show noong May 2010. From then on, kapansin-pansin na agad ang chemistry nila ni Mariel.
Not long after, they officially became a couple. Hindi na rin nag-atubili ang magkasintahan at nag-arrange din sila ng private wedding sa Taj Mahal, India on the same year. They allegedly tied the knot on August 19, 2010.
On September 25, 2010, during an interview with ABS-CBN showbiz talk show Entertainment Live, Mariel announced that she and Robin may have a church wedding before the year ends.
April 2011 naman nang banggitin ni Robin sa kanyang panayam with dzMM ang kanyang vow na ipagpatuloy ang pakikiusap sa Vatican upang maisagawa ang inaasam na church wedding, sa kabila ng pagkakaiba nila ni Mariel ng relihiyon.
"Hindi po kami titigil na makiusap. Kami'y susubok at susubok, kakausap ng iba't ibang mga obispo rin [para] tumulong sa amin," ang nasabi ng aktor ukol sa isyu.
Zara Lopez and Simon Javier (15 years)
Despite the 15-year age gap, Zara Lopez and Simon Javier worked hard to make their relationship work.
Sa kanilang joint TikTok account, they announced Zara’s pregnancy through a video kung saan ipinakita ng dating VIVA Hot Babe ang pagsorpresa sa partner niya on September 29, 2022.
Although walang official announcement tungkol sa kanilang wedding, may speculations ang netizens that they are already married.
Dati kasi, "boyfriend" ang tawag ni Zara kay Simon sa kanyang captions, pero ngayon ay "husband" na.
Heart Evangelista and Senator Chiz Escudero (16 years)
Heart Evangelista and Senator Chiz Escudero were an item for around two years before they got engaged in August 2014.
Acting on the advice of the late Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago, nagkaroon ang magkasintahan ng prenup agreement before the wedding.
Sa YouTube vlog post ni Heart titled “Adulting 101 with Sen. Chiz Escudero,” nabanggit ito ng senador.
“By the way, we have a prenup. What's hers is hers, what's mine is also hers,” dagdag nito after ipaliwanag sa followers ng vlog kung paano niya hinayaan si Heart na mag-sign up sa isang bangko at mag-fill out ng forms under her name to help her understand her finances.
They eventually tied the knot on February 15, 2015.
Naganap ang kanilang pag-iisang dibdib sa Balesin Island Club on a Sunday afternoon.
Gretchen Barretto and Tony Boy Cojuangco (19 years)
More than 29 years na at still together sina Gretchen Barretto at Tony Boy Cojuangco.
Sa 29 years na iyon ay hindi pa rin sila kasal dahil legally married pa rin si Tony Boy kay former equestrienne na si Denise Yabut-Cojuangco.
Sa kabila ng pagtawag sa kanya ng “kabit” at “kerida” ng kanyang mga bashers, lahad ni Gretchen sa kanyang Instagram account (published as is),
"Old news. yes, I am all that you say I am & you follow me on Instagram.
"I Rock, rule & REIGN ____ I am who is am & I so Loooove it & you Die in ENVY
"burn, burn, burn. I am the kabit who will live Happily ever after & YOU WILL BE THE ENVIOUS WHO WILL DIE EACH TIME YOU SEE ME SOAR HIGH.
"Rest In Peace envious biatch. I shall soar high while you die."
Assunta de Rossi and Jules Ledesma (22 years)
The couple met in November 2001 in San Francisco, USA.
Assunta de Rossi was 19 years old when she married politician Jules Ledesma on December 14, 2002. The civil ceremony was held sa hometown ni Jules na San Carlos, Negros Occidental.
At the time, rising star pa ang aktres, who was on her way to bigger projects. None of her family members attended the ceremony dahil tutol sila sa samahan ng dalawa.
A couple of years later, Assunta and Jules got married again sa Santuario de San Antonio sa Forbes Park, Makati on March 14, 2004. This time, kumpleto ang pamilya ni Assunta during the wedding.
Naganap ang reception nila sa Quezon Ballroom ng Makati Shangri-La Hotel.
Assuntais wish of becoming a mom came true in 2020, after 16 years of praying and waiting.
Dr. Vicki Belo and Dr. Hayden Kho (24 years)
Celebrity doctors Vicki Belo and Hayden Kho Jr. have been together for 18 years and going strong.
Ngunit andami jilang unos at pagsubok na pinagdaanan, especially during the first few years into their relationship.
Ilang beses din silang naghiwalay at nagbalikan.
Nagkakilala sila in 2005 when Vicki was invited to be a judge sa Mr. and Ms. Medicine pageant sa University of Sto. Tomas.
Sa panayam ng PEP.ph sa doktora during the Philippine Heart Association mediacon in March, nabanggit niyang, “Unfortunately, I am one of those women who needs a man. I feel that's a weakness.
"I am sure you all know how turbulent my relationship with Hayden has been over the years. We've been together seventeen years, so that's a really long time. The first seven years, I think, were really bad.”
There were speculations that the big age gap may be a factor, and, according sa celebrity doctor, malaking adjustment sa part ni Dr. Hayden ang kanilang pagsasama.
Kuwento ni Dra. Vicki, “It was a secret relationship at first. And then when it came out in the open... it became so bad because suddenly Hayden had to… You know, he was dealing with a whole new world, a new set of people. Everybody's talking about us and calling him a boy toy.”
They called it quits noong May 2014 during their trip to the Holy Land. At the time, Dra. Belo referred to their encounter as a closure.
Sabi niya sa panayam ng PEP.ph on May 9, 2014, “I think what happened ba with us ni Hayden, all our lives have been all about drama. Now, it’s really peace. And he’s having his own journey, and I’m having my own, hindi kami sabay.
"So we’ve decided na, you know, 'Put Jesus first and everything will be added unto you, so let’s concentrate on this.’ And I don’t really know... he’s turning 34 and it’s time na rin to decide what he’s gonna do with his life. Kasi as far as I’m concerned, he should start a family, get married na.”
This wasn’t the first time they broke up.
Somehow, amidst all the chaos, they found their way back to each other’s arms.
On September 2, 2017, they brought the relationship to the next level and hosted a “fantabulous” wedding.
Nuptials were consecrated sa The American Church.
Maris Racal and Rico Blanco (25 years)
In the case of Maris Racal and Rico Blanco, things started with a tweet.
Specifically, ang tweet ni Maris sa kanyang account ay tungkol sa fangirling.
Netizens couldn’t help but dig up Maris' past tweets, eventually comparing her 2017 tweets sa mga circulating video clips ng dalawa on 2021 na mukhang sweet ang pakikitungo sa isa’t isa.
Eventually, the two admitted the real score when Maris posted their duet song sa kanyang Instagram account on March 17, 2021.
Part ito ng birthday greeting ng former PBB housemate para sa 48th birthday ng OPM singer/songwriter/record producer.
Tugon naman ni Rico sa comments section ng naturang post, “hahaha love you!!!”
Later, Maris admitted na nagsimula ang kanilang relasyon even before the pandemic.
Sa kanyang interview sa Magandang Buhay last August 12, 2021, tinanong siya about it.
Sabi ni Maris, “Hindi ko po alam, kasi before pandemic po nag-start. Medyo mahirap mag-maintain ng relationship sa panahon ng pandemic. Pero hindi ko po alam sa nag-start ng relationship sa pandemic.”
Dionisia Pacquiao and Michael Yamson (27 years)
Going strong naman sina Mommy Dionisia at Michael. Nagkakilala sila sa isang karaoke bar noong 2014, sa Araw ng mga Puso, no less.
At the time, isang seaman si Michael at kasalukuyang nakadaong ang barko sa General Santos City. Bago pa man umalis ang barko nila ay niligawan niya si Mommy D, at nakamit niya eventually ang kanyang matamis na oo.
Naging sila noong February 20, 2014.
Ai-Ai delas Alas and Gerald Sibayan (30 years)
It was 2014 when Ai-Ai delas Alas and Gerald Sibayan met through a common friend.
Ai-Ai’s initial reaction upon knowing that Gerald is 30 years younger than her was, “Actually nung nagpakilala iyan sa akin, namura ko pa, e. 'Anong gagawin ko diyan ang bata-bata?' ganon.
"Ayoko talaga. Mabait ito, e. Mahilig ako sa bad boy noon. Ito mabait.”
Ito ang nailahad ng comedienne sa kanyang interview with PEP.ph during the media launch of AiSian Fusion, her restaurant, in May 2019.
When asked about the courtship, she mentioned, “Sandali lang.”
On their third anniversary, April 12, 2017, nag-propose si Gerald sa aktres through a Starbucks cup.
They eventually tied the knot on December 12, 2017, sa Christ the King Parish located in Greenmeadows, Quezon City.
Pauleen Luna and Vic Sotto (34 years)
Sa simula ng kanilang relasyon, Vic Sotto and Pauleen Luna were both mum about the circulating rumors.
They started dating around December 2011, but neither confirmed nor denied this.
Finally, it was on December 14, 2013, when Vic finally announced his relationship with Pauleen in "Ikaw Na," Boy Abunda’s segment sa show na Bandila.
On January 30, 2016, they finally exchanged I dos. Pauleen even posted sa kanyang Instagram account a few minutes before walking down the aisle.
The caption read, “Love is not about age, love is not about race, love is not about gender, love has no boundaries."
