Still in the healing process: JK Labajo able to write 70 songs after breakup with Maureen Wroblewitz

Labajo (center) with ex-beau Maureen Wroblewitz and “Take Me to Banaue” costar Brandon Melo

“I don’t believe that you can just ‘unlove’ someone,” said singer JK Labajo as a way to confirm his breakup with beauty queen-actress Maureen Wroblewitz, his girlfriend of over four years.

JK pointed out that he and Maureen remain good friends and that the split was more “career-related.”

“I will have nothing but love for her. I actually want her to achieve her dreams. I want her to be happy. The breakup was something we both decided to do. It was more of a professional thing. Career-wise, we just felt we needed to put more time and attention to our respective crafts,” the 21-year-old said.

JK then claimed to be “doing better” after the split. “I am learning at lot. I am in the process of healing—just like what you normally go through after something like that happens. Now, we both have time to focus on our careers, which is what is important at the moment,” JK told Inquirer Entertainment at the launch of the 2022 Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival, wherein he has a film entry.

JK also said that Maureen was his “first serious relationship.” He added: “We had that special connection. We still talk. I’m also in the process of turning into adult. I’m becoming ‘a little normal’ now, after I went through a lot of ‘wild things,’ which, I admit, was fun. I mean, now, it’s all about having a better perspective. I choose to look at the bright side of things, especially with my relationship with her.”

JK claimed that while Maureen had been a positive influence on him, she never tried to “tame” him. “That’s what I loved about her. She loved me for who I am as a person. I’m so transparent. I guess that was always other people’s issue with me since I started my career. I don’t have a filter,” JK explained. “One of the best things I learned from this woman is gratitude, and to be more mature as a person. She would always tell me to be grateful for whatever I have.”

JK also admitted that since the breakup, he was able to write over 70 songs. We then asked how he would react if ever he learned that Maureen has already found someone new. To this, he said: “We’ve discussed this when we decided to split up. We’re both still so young. I can say it’s not just about our career, but also our emotional maturity. It’s hard to commit and talk about something super serious for the future at my age. I’m only 21, (while Maureen is 24).”

JK Labajo

‘As long as she’s happy’

He added: “I’ve always said I’m happy as long as she’s happy. To be honest, another thing I learned is that it’s impossible to love somebody if you have no love for yourself. I guess that’s what I didn’t have before. I never had love for myself; so today, I got a new gym membership. Todong self-love! The membership includes a meal plan. Magpapapayat muna,” JK declared.

Will having a fitter body also mean getting ready to accept more mature roles? “Definitely not! Wait first! Ask me this question again tomorrow. Seriously, my doors are never closed. I’m always up for new experiences. That’s what makes life interesting,” he said. “I’m not scared of whatever may come, especially with this movie being released soon. I just did it because I wanted to do it. While I also have plans for my future, I’m also just enjoying what’s happening now.”

‘Crazy, wild adventure’

JK was referring to the Cinemalaya entry, “Blue Room,” which is directed by Ma-An L. Asuncion-Dagňalan and also features Elijah Canlas, Harvey Bautista, Nourijune Hooshmand and Keoni Jin.

“The movie revolves around a musical band composed of young teens,” JK said. “Basically, it’s a crazy, wild adventure that they have to go through. I can’t share much for fear of spoiling it, but what I can say is that it wasn’t as hard for me to get into character since it’s connected to music.”

He added that the personality of Anton, his character, is not far from his own. “However, he is still a character that Direk created. He is sort of the free-flowing type, a Mr. Wise Guy. He’s also like a hippie. Come to think of it, that’s his difference from me. I’m not a hippie,” JK declared.

The 2022 Cinemalaya will run from Aug. 5 to Aug. 14 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines in Pasay City.