As they played estranged couple Elvie and Emilio in the recently-concluded primetime series Marry Me, Marry You, little we did know that veteran actors Cherry Pie Picache and Edu Manzano have actually become real-life sweethearts while filming it.
They became the subject of dating speculations after eagle-eyed netizens were able to spot them being cozy together in some of the photos uploaded by the 51-year-old actress on Instagram. And the 66-year-old actor finally confirmed it twice through his SMS exchange with his broadcast journalist-friend Cheryl Cosim on November 19, 2021.
And we were able to get to know more about their romantic affair through their first-ever interview together in one of his son Luis Manzano’s vlog last December. They revealed that they actually used to date two decades ago, which only lasted for almost a year, but they were just low-key then.
Through the years, they have remained good friends and often run into each other in various events. However, in those encounters, they confessed that they’ve always felt tension every time they talk that was perhaps because of the feelings they have for one another that seemingly never went away.
“After the 20 years, lagi kaming nanatiling magkaibigan. We never drifted apart. We’d always see each other sa iba’t ibang okasyon and sa iba’t ibang mga gatherings,” Edu related. “We would always be talking sincerely. We knew that we still like each other.”
Cherry Pie, on the other hand, shared that every time they see each other, she felt “tension” between in a good way and is something different. “Every time na magkikita kami after no’n, you’d think na, ‘Parang iba pa rin ‘yung tingin niya’. Pero I’d always dismiss it kasi nga, ‘di ba, charmer siya.”
They further imparted that they actually didn’t see this coming, even though they had started filming for Marry Me, Marry You. But their lock-in tapings made them closer, not to mention that they share dressing room, which ensued to sparks flying between them eventually.
In a separate vlog, Cherry Pie recalled what made her ponder about the real deal between them. Since they’re both single, it was inevitable for them to tease one another or be teased by their colleagues during their lock-in taping. This made her think if it was just mere kulitan or something else already, saying that she’s at the age when she doesn’t want to play games anymore. Thus, she asked for a sign that if Edu would continue reaching out or making efforts to her after the first cycle of their lock-in taping, then he really is into her – and he did.
They became officially together when Edu, as per Cherry Pie, asked her if she also liked him. He was pessimistic at first and told her that he’s ready to move on just in case her answer would be “no”. She also praised him for the efforts he did to know and be close with her unico hijo Nio Tria, who’s now following her footsteps in the industry as part of ABS-CBN’s elite Gen Z group The Squad Plus.
The relationship of PieDu, as what their fans call their tandem, is approved by their respective children.
Asked his reaction to this, Nio smiled, saying he wasn’t surprised at all. He was aware that Edu was courting his mom and he was even relieved that the two finally came out.
“Nu’ng nalaman ko na nabalita na, ‘Okay, good nabalita na.’ Sana okay ‘yung reaction ng mga tao, ng mga Kapamilya,” expressed Nio in an interview with Kapamilya Chat.
The big question, though, is if he approves of the relationship. Nio answered, “Oo, approved! Siyempre, sinu-support ko ‘yung mom ko. Matanda na siya, alam na niya ‘yung ginagawa niya. Alam niya na ‘yun.”
Luis also expressed his approval and admiration of the actress, to whom he got to work with in the 2005 series Kampanerang Kuba, during his interview with them. “Si Tita Pie kasi I’ve always considered her as a friend in the industry. But I’m very thankful that things fell into place because now, I consider you family talaga. And I’m seeing my dad and I can see how happy he is right now and how content and fulfilled he is. I can see it din naman, and at the same time, I’m hoping and praying na it’s exactly the same for you,” she stated.
Go through the lovely photos of Cherry Pie and Edu in this gallery that will definitely make you kilig!