Celine Dion said it best when she sang, "Love can move mountains."
In the case of some local celebrities, love has the power to make them adopt a new faith, symbolizing their solidarity with a significant other.
A study published in 2023 by evangelical research firm Lifeway Research revealed that 44 percent of surveyed adults in the United States consider shared religious beliefs as crucial for a successful marriage.
Although this percentage is lower than those emphasizing shared interests (66 percent) and satisfying sexual relationship (63 percent), it underscores the importance of spiritual compatibility in couples, whether married or not.
With that, let's take a look at some celebrities who have openly admitted or been rumored to have embraced a different religious faith in the name of love.
Christopher Roxas
What started as a love team onscreen became a real-life romance for Christopher Roxas and Gladys Reyes.
The two met in 1992 on the set of the hit series Mara Clara, where Gladys portrayed the antagonist role to Judy Ann Santos's character.
Read: 8 married showbiz couples who fell in love on the set
Christopher converted to Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) in 1996 so that he and Gladys could share the same religious beliefs.
The couple tied the knot in 2004 after dating for 11 years.
Their marriage is blessed with four children: Gian-Christopher, Gianna Aquisha, Grant-Carlin, and Gavin-Cale.
Christopher told PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) in a 2012 interview, "Malaking factor na pareho kaming Iglesia. Pareho kaming may takot sa relihiyon."
Read: Gladys Reyes reflects on relationship with husband Christopher Roxas starting when she was only 14
YASMIEN KURDI
Kapuso actress Yasmien Kurdi knew firsthand the complexities of being in a family with diverse religious backgrounds.
Yasmien's Lebanese father follows the Muslim faith, while her Filipino mother is a member of Iglesia Ni Cristo.
Read: Yasmien Kurdi, nag-offer maging kidney donor ng maysakit na ina
These differing beliefs became particularly pronounced when Yasmien, in 2012, was ready to settle down with her non-showbiz boyfriend, Rey Soldevilla.
Yasmien's mother was against the relationship because of their contrasting faiths—Yasmien was a member of Iglesia Ni Cristo, while Rey was a Christian.
Her father, on the other hand, had no problem with Yasmien settling down and gave his consent for the wedding to push through.
Yasmien said in 2013, “Kasi kami naman ni Mama, meron kaming mga bagay na magkaiba lang talaga ang mga pananaw namin.
“Siyempre, lahat naman na magulang, ang gusto lang naman nila, ang hangad lang naman nila, ang best para sa anak nila.
“So nirerespeto ko na lang yun.”
The actress would revisit those events during a conversation with reporters in 2016.
"Ang hirap din po kasi. Magkaiba po kasi ng paniniwala ang mom and dad ko. Yung isa Muslim, yung isa Iglesia, so mahirap po talaga nung time na ikakasal na kami," recalled Yasmien.
"Mahirap sa kanilang dalawa kung ano po yung pipiliin dahil magkaiba po sila ng gusto."
Yasmien, for her part, would leave Iglesia ni Cristo to share her husband's Christian beliefs.
"Siguro po kung ano yung sa husband ko, yun po ang sinusunod ko. Kung nasaan po siya," said Yasmien.
Bianca Umali
"First of all, yes, isa na po akong ganap na Iglesia Ni Cristo."
With those words, Bianca Umali confirmed the rumor that she has joined INC, the same religion as her boyfriend and fellow Kapuso Ruru Madrid.
Read: Bianca Umali on becoming an Iglesia Ni Cristo member: “It is a personal choice.”
She made the admission in Updated with Nelson Canlas on February 17, 2023.
However, Bianca denied that she changed her religion solely because of Ruru.
The actress explained, "But I don't think I would have it fall under the category of things you do for love or these things that I do for love.
"Kasi yung pagiging Iglesia ko, yung pag-convert ko is something that is very personal to me.
"It is a personal choice and not a choice I made just because in love ako sa isang tao."
Bianca said that her quest for life's meaning led her to look for spiritual enlightenment, and a new religion might help fill that existential void.
“I have been alone for how many years and I knew at some point na I wanted something for myself na hindi mawawala," said Bianca.
"And I knew that it wasn't something that was materialistic. But then I realized, it was my 20th birthday, sabi ko, 'Maybe it’s my faith.'"
FREDDIE AGUILAR
Musician Freddie Aguilar had long been mulling over converting to Islam as he started having questions about the teachings of the Catholic Church.
So what made the iconic folk singer take the leap?
In 2013, it was reported that then 60-year-old Freddie embraced the Muslim faith so that he could marry his teenage lover.
The wedding between the singer-songwriter and his 16-year-old girlfriend happened on November 22, 2013, in Buluan, Maguindanao.
Article 16 of the Muslim Family Code of The Philippines stipulates that individuals aged 15 years and above, who adhere to the Muslim faith, are permitted to enter into marriage.
"Hindi na rin po kami makapaghintay na kung anu-ano ang tinatawag sa kanya—na kesyo ganito siya, kesyo ganyan ako," said Freddie, pertaining to critics of his May-December romance.
“So,para matigil na po lahat yun at mapatunayan na mahal namin ang isa't isa talaga, nandito po kami, upang mag-isang-dibdib."
“At matagal ko na rin pong hinahanap ang tunay na paniniwala sa Panginoon.
“At sa palagay ko po, sa tagal kong paghahanap, ay ito na po, natagpuan ko na.”
Rica Peralejo
Feeling lost and empty in her mid-20s led actress Rica Peralejo to the path of spirituality.
Unhappy about her sexy image and fatigued by the demands of the entertainment industry, Rica found herself at a juncture where she was prepared to step away from the limelight.
"I was really just looking for things na would help me calm down. But there was this rage inside of me. There was this really pagka-lost," Rica said in an interview for Toni Talks two years ago.
She described her state then as "broken na broken" and added, "Yun yung feeling ko talaga nung na-meet ko si Jesus."
Read: Rica Peralejo opens up about her hubadera days: “Deep down inside, namamatay na ako.”
Rica became a Born Again Christian and turned her back on show business.
While romance had nothing to do with Rica's change of religion, her newfound faith nonetheless led the actress to meet her special someone in Joseph "Joe" Bonifacio, a pastor of Every Nation Church.
Read: Rica Peralejo is engaged to her religious pastor
The two got married on January 29, 2010. Their marriage is blessed with two children.
Looking back at their romance, Rica thoughtfully said, “When God writes your love story, you'll never know what the outcome will be."
Read: Rica Peralejo, ayaw maging "pakialamera"; Heaven Peralejo, nag-react sa pahayag ng tiyahin
Janice de Belen
Actress Janice de Belen was first said to have joined Iglesia Ni Cristo because of her boyfriend.
However, reports came out in 2015 that Janice severed ties with the religious group.
This explained why she was not part of the movie based on the life of INC founder, Felix Manalo.
Read: Janice de Belen, hindi pinalampas ang pag-a-attitude ng young star na bida sa serye
The fact that Janice didn't speak out about the leadership controversy involving INC at the time was taken by many as a sign that she was no longer affiliated with the church.
Another indication was the cancellation of Janice's cooking show Spoon aired on the INC-run network, Net25.
While an INC official denied the speculations, various reports—including one from veteran showbiz reporter Lolit Solis—insisted that Janice had quietly left the organization.
LIEZL SICANGCO
Many did not know that Liezl Sicangco tried her hand at acting.
She appeared in the 1994 movie P're Hanggang sa Huli top-billed by Andrew E, Charlene Gonzales, and Robin Padilla.
Liezl's acting career was short-lived after she fell in love with Robin, who was at the height of his popularity as an action star.
P're Hanggang sa Huli turned out to be Robin's last movie to hit cinemas for the time being, as he was convicted of illegally possessing firearms.
He was sentenced to a maximum of eight years in prison.
Jail time did not prevent Robin and Liezl from tying the knot in 1996 inside the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa.
Their wedding was a Muslim ceremony, as Robin had adopted Islam during his time in prison and was bestowed with the name Abdul Aziz.
Liezl also converted to Islam.
Read: Liezl Sicangco calls Cristy Fermin "wicked, toxic, poisonous" for badmouthing daughter Kylie Padilla
The couple would go on to have four children: Queenie, Kylie, Zhen-Zhen, and Ali.
Robin was granted a conditional pardon on parole by President Fidel V. Ramos in 1998, and an absolute pardon in 2016 by President Rodrigo Duterte.
Read: Censors, Hollywood-style Rizal, and Bad Boy: Wild world of showbiz during FVR’s time
Robin announced in November 2009 that he and Liezl had separated back in 2007.
Currently, Robin, who is now a senator, is married to TV host Mariel Rodriguez.
Liezl made news in 2011 after she called out her daughters Kylie and Queenie, who have both joined showbiz, asking them to adhere to the conservative teachings of Islam.
Read: Liezl Sicangco wants daughters Queenie and Kylie Padilla to return to Muslim faith
"Sa nakikita ko kasi, hindi nakakabuti sa mga anak ko ang pag-aartista kung di rin naman sila nakakasunod sa kagustuhan ng Panginoong Allah," the Australia-based Liezl said.
Liezl, for her part, shared, "Inaamin ko hindi po ako perfect na tao, bumalik lang ang faith ko two months ago.
"Mahirap po talaga na wala ang Panginoon sa buhay ng tao. Sana magtuluy-tuloy na ang aking pananampalataya, God willing."
Snooky Serna
Did Snooky Serna join Iglesia Ni Cristo upon the prodding of a lover?
It was perceived that the former Regal Baby converted to another religion as she was influenced by her boyfriend, who was a member of INC.
Read: Snooky Serna joins Iglesia Ni Cristo rally, appears in shows of INC network
Snooky, however, denied this notion during a press conference on September 22, 2015, at the Manila Hotel.
“It’s not true," Snooky told PEP.ph in an interview.
Snooky attributed her religious conversion to a series of life events, specifically a cancer scare involving polyps in her colon and pancreas, coupled with a profound sense of feeling lost in life.
Read: Snooky Serna converts to Iglesia Ni Cristo after being healed of sickness
“I was soul-searching at that time, kasabay ng pagkakaroon ng sakit na yun," recalled Snooky.
“And then thankfully, may mga kaibigan akong mga mang-aawit sa Iglesia. Nineteen years ko na silang kaibigan na mag-asawa."
The couple, according to Snooky, prayed over her and applied oil believed to possess healing powers.
“For lack of better words to use, ipapanalangin ako noon ng ministro.
"So, pumayag ako. And to make the long story short, the test results came out normal. Gumaling ako from my sickness na I thought was going to get worse."
This incident convinced Snooky to reassess her faith and join a new religion.
“So,ayun. Parang after that, naging interesado talaga akong magsuri pa, mag-research pa about the religion," shared Snooky.
“And yun nga, after twenty-six lessons [I was convinced]. This is my personal opinion, ha. Hindi ako nagpi-preach na ito ang katotohanan.
“Ang aral ay banal. So, sa awa ng Diyos, naipatawag ako at naging kapatid.”
Marco Alcaraz
Marco Alcaraz credited his wife, Lara Quigaman, for helping him develop a close relationship with God.
Marco converted from a Roman Catholic to a Christian because of Lara when they were still dating.
"Si Lara rin talaga ang naglapit sa akin kay Lord," Marco told PEP.ph in an interview in 2012.
He further said, "Every Sunday nakakasimba na ako. Hindi naman ako ganung kasobrang nagba-Bible study and everything.
"Ako, nag-convert ako for her."
Read: Marco Alcaraz on his bride-to-be Lara Quigaman:"Siya ang naglapit sa akin kay Lord."
Marco and Lara got married in a civil ceremony on January 1, 2011, in Vancouver, Canada.
On July 8, 2012, the two exchanged vows again in a Christian wedding ceremony at the Hacienda Isabella in Cavite.
Max Collins and Pancho Magno
Kapuso stars Max Collins and Pancho Magno proudly shared their transition from being Roman Catholics to Born Again Christians on Instagram in October 2015.
“The happiest day of my life. I am now officially a born again Christian," posted Max.
View this post on Instagram
Pancho, meanwhile, quoted American writer Mark Twain in his post, saying, "The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why."
In an old interview with GMA Network's website, Max opened up about her deepening faith and Pancho's huge influence on her spirituality.
“Ever since naman God has always been there for me and I’ve been very religious. But I only really accepted Jesus as my savior when I was baptized after meeting Pancho," said Max.
Max and Pancho would go to mass in Catholic churches every Sunday as part of their weekend dates during the early stages of their relationship.
Shared Max, “Then for like two years before lumalim yung faith namin and naging part kami ng [Born Again] Church, that's when na-baptize kami, and it's really a process."
Max and Pancho tied the knot in a Christian ceremony on December 11, 2017, at the Manila Marriot Hotel.
The couple welcomed their son Skye Anakin on July 6, 2020.
On May 29, 2023, Max confirmed the rumor that she and Pancho had separated.
"We split up a long time ago, like during the pandemic,” revealed Max on Fast Talk with Boy Abunda.
Read: Max Collins finally opens up about breakup with husband Pancho Magno
“Our child is almost three and he’s very happy and healthy. And we’re so blessed and we have a very good co-parenting relationship. We’re the best of friends, actually. We’re closer now."
Read: Max Collins vows support for estranged husband Pancho Magno even when he finds new love