Ruru Madrid says Bianca Umali is ‘the one’ after her conversion to Iglesia Ni Cristo

(From left) Ruru Madrid, Bianca Umali. Images: Screengrab from YouTube/GMA Network, Instagram/@rurumadrid8

Ruru Madrid is convinced that Bianca Umali, who became a member of Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) like the actor, is “the one” after witnessing how dedicated she is to having a strong relationship with the Lord.

During a “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda” interview on GMA’s YouTube channel on Monday, Nov. 6, Madrid reiterated that the actress’ decision to convert to INC was solely her decision, and that her faith in God was a “gift to herself.”

“‘Yung mga panahon na nililigawan ko pa si Bianca, naging honest na po sa kanya noong una pa lang. Kailangan sa’min bilang Iglesia ni Cristo, dapat Iglesia ni Cristo rin,” he said. “Pero siya, for some reason, open siyang makinig. Ayaw kong ipilit sa kanya na mag-Iglesia siya para sa’kin. Kasi hindi po dapat gan’un.”

(When I was still courting Bianca, I was honest with her from the beginning. I told her that since I’m a member of the Iglesia ni Cristo, I need to be with someone with the same religion. But for some reason, she was open about it. I didn’t want to force her to be part of the Iglesia ni Cristo for me. It shouldn’t be that way.)

Madrid then became emotional as he recalled the time when Umali said she’s part of the INC as a “gift” to herself. The actress joined the religion in February 2021.

“Nagulat na lang ako one day noong birthday niya, sinabi niya sa’kin na ang gusto niyang gift sa sarili niya is faith kay God. Gusto niya [ring] makinig ng aral ng Iglesia ni Cristo. D’un ko nalaman na siya na talaga [ang para sa’kin],” he said.

(I was surprised when on her birthday, she said the gift she wants for herself is faith in God. She wants to know more about the teachings in Iglesia ni Cristo. That’s when I realized she’s the one for me.)

While looking back at how much their relationship had grown, Madrid said the “Sang’gre” star made him believe that he has met “the one.” “Masasabi ko na nahanap ko [na] ‘yung taong katapat ko. Totoo talaga ‘yun.” (I can say that I have found my equal. It’s true.)

“Akala ko dati hindi totoo ‘yun. Pero noong dumating siya sa buhay ko, nakaramdam ako ng spark,” he continued. “Hindi ko ’yun naisip dati but ngayon, sobrang proud ako na ipagmalaki na ‘yun ‘yung nararamdaman ko para sa kanya.” (I thought before that it doesn’t happen in real life. But when she came into my life, I felt a spark. I never thought about that before, but now, I’m so proud to declare my feelings for her to the world.)

Madrid and Umali have been in a relationship since 2018, although they made their romance public in 2022.

The actress was previously confirmed as one of the leads in the upcoming fantasy series “Sang’gre” with Angel Guardian, Kelvin Miranda, and Faith Da Silva earlier this month.