(From left) Marco Gumabao, Cristine Reyes. Image: Instagram/@cristinereyes
MANILA, Philippines — Marco Gumabao is all praises for his girlfriend Cristine Reyes for her “simplicity and no-nonsense personality,” as he confessed that she reminds him of his mother.
Marco spoke about his admiration for the actress during an interview with showbiz writer Ogie Diaz, which was uploaded on the latter’s vlog last Sept. 5, when asked if Cristine reminds him of his mother’s inner strength.
“Even with Cristine [Reyes], noong nakilala siya ni Mama, sobrang hanga siya sa Mommy ko. Feeling mo mahiyain siya pero sobrang tibay, sobrang tapang niya,” he said.
“Lagi ko ngang sinasabi kay Cristine. ‘Alam mo, Love, sabi ko, parehong-pareho kayo ng nanay ko, as in.’”
(Even with Cristine Reyes when she met my mom, she admired my mommy a lot. You would think she’s shy but she’s very strong and brave. I always tell Cristine, “Love, do you know that you’re just like my mother. As in.)
The actor said that despite being an actress, Cristine is the type of person who’s “simple” and who “keeps it real.”
“Pareho silang simple lang. Okay, artista si Cristine. Public figure siya. Pero hindi siya showbiz (They’re both simple. Cristine may be a celebrity or a public figure. But she doesn’t fake herself in front of anyone),” he explained.
During the interview, Marco admitted that while it’s his “first time” to date someone older than him, he wants to enjoy his relationship with Cristine even if they’re in the “age of getting married.”
“First time kong mag-date ng mas older sa’kin. Usually, my age or two years younger [ang dine-date ko]. Pero ‘yung [five year-age gap] with Cristine, first time. Okay siya,” he said.
“Napagu-usapan namin [ang kasal pero] of course, ine-enjoy namin muna. Wala pa nga kaming isang taon, diba? You know, it’s gonna get there. But at the same time, you still want to enjoy [it] first.”
“Gusto niyong pagdaanan ang ligaw stage, ‘yung boyfriend-girlfriend stage, may stages ‘yan eh. Gusto naming namnamin. Diyan naman papunta eh, so bakit kailangan mong magmadali,” he further stated.
(It’s my first time dating someone who’s older than me. I usually date someone who’s my age or two years younger. But with my five year-age gap with Cristine, it’s my first time. It’s okay. We talked about getting married but of course, we wanted to enjoy it first. We haven’t even reached one year yet, right? You know it’s gonna get there. But at the same time, you still want to enjoy it first. We want to go through the courting, boyfriend-girlfriend stage, there are stages in a relationship. We’re getting there, so why rush?)
In a separate interview last June, Cristine revealed that she sees Marco as the “perfect boyfriend” as he’s willing to be “understanding” at all times.
The celebrity couple went public with their romance in April 2023, although they remained mum on when their relationship exactly started. The actor, however, revealed that he always had a crush on Cristine since 2015.