Seasoned actress and humanitarian Angel Locsin recently took a break from her prolific relief operations for our valiant frontliners and underprivileged fellowmen as she granted veteran broadcast journalist Korina Sanchez-Roxas a one-on-one Zoom interview on Rated K last Sunday, June 21.
Their online conversation started off with the Kapamilya star enthusiastically talking about how her quarantine life has been, the relief efforts and fundraising events that she and her friends have kick-started and continues to run, as well as the newly-launched weekly Kapamilya Channel magazine show Iba ‘Yan that she hosts.
The program, which aired its pilot episode last June 14, features the inspiring and amusing stories of our kababayans from different parts of the country that are able to create an impact in their community through their own simple to grand ways.
Unbeknownst to some of the viewers, the director of Iba ‘Yan is her fiancé Neil Arce, whom she endearingly calls “Direk Lover.” While working with a romantic partner is fine for some of us, Angel confessed not actually keen with it since it may cause their misunderstanding.
“Actually, ayaw naming [maging] magkatrabaho talaga kasi baka pag-awayan namin. Pero sa pagkakataong ito, I think it’s a blessing kasi merong naglu-look after sa’kin ‘pag nasa labas ako and siya rin gano’n,” Angel divulged.
She revealed that it’s actually his first directorial break and collaborating with him is a delight for him since she describes him as creative, fast-thinker, and benevolent.
Korina then called in Direk Neil in the conversation and asked him how his relationship with the 35-year-old versatile actress-host blossomed. According to him, they met in 2010 when a mutual friend introduced them to one another and they became friends since then. They’ve been in each other’s life through the ups and downs as they consider one another as confidant.
“Alam n’yo po, Ma’am, umabot kami sa point na inaaway niya ako kasi sinasabi ko sa kanya na huwag ligawan ‘yong isang kaibigan namin, tapos nagagalit siya sa akin. Tapos siya rin, gano’n din. Pero wala kaming gusto sa isa’t isa no’ng mga panahon na ‘yon. ‘Di namin alam na, ‘Ha? Tayo pala ang magpapakasal,’” she recalled. She added that it’s to one another and their other friends to whom both of them run to every time they have relationship woes.
Then Direk Neil went on to narrate how their romance started. “We started going out around 2017. Siyempre, I didn’t want to ruin the friendship so ‘di naman ako papasok ‘pag hindi naman ako sure. If magkamali kami, malaki ang mawawala sa’min dahil sa friendhship. So I think, that’s a good part of our relationship eh. Sinigurado namin before we took the plunge.”
When asked if she thinks it’s better for them to start as friends, Angel said that she does agree with it as their friendship has made them more comfortable and deeply familiar with one another. She also went on to impart that aside from being able to work in Iba ‘Yan, they’ve also managed to see each more often this community quarantine as they currently reside in the same condominium.
Angel shared that it was Neil who advised her to move in to the condominium building he’s in years ago when she was still looking for a new place to live at. He recommended his broker to her and she liked the building, and since then, they get to live near each other.
The host then quizzed them regarding their highly anticipated nuptials, yet they humbly refused to divulge the exact date of it for security reasons and the privacy of their guests, but according to them, it should be this year and it’s actually fast-approaching.
“Lahat naman ng mga nangyayari sa buhay natin ngayon lahat naka-hold. And parang masyadong maaga to decide kung tuloy or anong mangayayari because ‘di natin alam kung baka next week may vaccine na,” Angel stated. “Hindi na lang po kami magco-complain. Basta mag-antay na lang kami kung ano mang mangyayari.”
Meanwhile, Neil revealed that they’re actually prepared for their wedding, but they have to put into consideration first the health protocols mandated by the government and the safety of the attendees. Angel said that they don’t want to put them at risk and be uncomfortable.
Click on the video to fully see what went down in Korina’s exclusive, insightful, and fun interview with Angel Locsin and Neil Arce on Rated K!
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