Fresh from the her singing stint in the recently concluded Manny Pacquiao-Oscar dela Hoya bout, Karylle faced the media for the first time last night, December 9. A media junket was prepared for her by her new home network, ABS-CBN, hours after signing a one-year contract.
The 27-year-old singer-actress is now more open in answering the questions of the entertainment press about her split with boyfriend Dingdong Dantes .
Karylle admitted that during the first few weeks after announcing their breakup, she was afraid to answer questions about her past relationship with Dingdong. However, before the media started throwing questions at her, she assured that she's ready to answer anything.
"Siguro there was a time that I was really afraid to face the press because a lot of things were going on, and nandoon pa ako sa phase na pina-process ko pa ang lahat ng nangyari. Pero ngayon kasi, okay na ako, so hindi na ako masyadong kinakabahan kung may tanong man," the singer-actress said.
Karylle did not want to connect her recent breakup with her decision to transfer from GMA-7 to ABS-CBN.
"I think everything happens for a reason, pero ayaw ko naman isipin na 'yon ang dahilan. Pero alam mo 'yon, ayaw ko na kasing balikan ang mga nangyari.
"Siyempre, I'm in a new home, this is a fresh start, a lot of good things are happening. Aside from the contract signing na nangyari no'ng lunchtime with Ms. Cory [Vidanes, ABS-CBN Head for TV Production] and Sir Deo [Endrinal, Business Unit Head], I also just signed with EMI [Philippines] for my recordings. And on Saturday, maglu-launch nga 'yong sa Bench, then may mga bagong show na paparating. So, kahit papaano, I'm just trying to focus on these days na, and parang 'yong iba, iniiwan ko na sa past."
A reporter then commented that in exchange for her lost lovelife, she gained something better for her career.
Karylle smiled and replied, "Well, ang sabi kasi nila, when something bad happens to you, it depends on you kung ano ang gusto mong i-focus on. So, it's a choice between focusing on the things that you chose to see. Kasi, parang sabi nila, bago ka makatanggap ng blessings, you have to leave some things behind and maybe that's just the way I saw it.
"I really tried to see things in a positive light kaya 'yong mga blessings, nag-multiply lang siya. Kasi 'yon na lang ang tiningnan ko, hindi na ako masyadong nag-dwell doon sa mga nawala. Kumbaga, so much has been given to me, why will I focus on what hasn't been given to me?"
In her contract with ABS-CBN, Karylle will be given a chance to show off her acting skill once again in the upcoming teleserye Maruja, a TV adaptation of Mars Ravelo's komiks creation. Also this Sunday, December 14. she will be welcomed by Kapamilya stars in ASAP '08—the rival program of SOP, which she used to be a part of.
STILL COMMUNICATING WITH DINGDONG. With the short period between the breakup and her transfer, the reporters could not help but still connect these two incidents.
However, Karylle said that her former boyfriend did not really have an idea about her decision to move out from her former mother network, GMA-7, where Dingdong currently works.
She said, "I think at that time kasi, hindi na kami nakakapag-usap masyado. Hindi rin naman siya nagtatanong, so wala ring chance na masabing lilipat na ako."
The daughter of Divine Diva Zsa Zsa Padilla also explained that it was really the decision of her new management, STAGES.
"Ang nangyari kasi, I also changed management," Karylle started explaining. "So now, I'm with STAGES, with Carlo Orosa and Audie Gemora. At that time kasi, hindi na ako masyadong makapag-isip for myself sa career, kasi may mga iba akong iniisip. So, sabi ko, ipapaubaya ko na lang sa kanila ang career ko. Anyway, it's a business naman. So on the business side, nagtiwala na lang ako sa kanila. This was their strategy and their move for me, so doon na lang ako sumunod.
"Kasi, sabi nga nila, kapag masyado kang masaya or masydong intense ang feelings mo or something, parang hindi ka dapat nagde-decide. Kasi, parang ang decisions mo, out of impulse lang. So it's better to trust people na kaya nilang i-handle ang career mo."
How about their business partnership? Did the breakup affect their relationship as business partners in Centerstage KTV and restaurant?
The new Kapamilya star said, "The business is really doing very, very well. It's doing better than ever. Marami kaming partners and sila 'yong talagang nagma-manage ng business. So, hindi naman napapabayaan 'yon."
Karylle said that they maintained their business relationship despite their breakup. "Nagkakausap naman kami [ni Dingdong]," she said.
Are they already in good terms?
"Well, okay na."
What if Dingdong comes back and says, "Let's start all over again?'"
Karylle shook her head, "Huwag na."
The young singer-actress continued, "I don't know how to explain it, e. 'Yon nga, parang when you're in a relationship, you try and you try. If there's really nothing na, then, that's the time to stop. So, I think I've given all the tries that I could give."
She reiterated that the communication line is still open between her and Dingdong despite the end of their romantic relationship.
"I think one day we'll be very good friends. But for now, at least, we still communicate."