Elle Villanueva and Derrick Monasterio | Images: Instagram/@_ellevillanueva, @derrickmonasterio
Kapuso actress Elle Villanueva revealed she was in a toxic relationship for seven years before she got together with Derrick Monasterio.
Speaking on the “Updated with Nelson Canlas” podcast, Villanueva recalled her past relationship that nearly got “physical.” She admitted she thought she’d never get out of it.
“Very traumatic. It took awhile, parang seven years bago ako nakaalis. Ganon kasi ‘di ba ‘pag toxic? Pabalik-balik. Akala ko hindi na ako makakaalis. It’s a cycle, and you have to break it,” she said.
The “Return to Paradise” actress underscored that having to experience that kind of “bad experience” made her pray so hard for her next relationship to be better.
“Ever since nangyari ‘yung past relationship ko na toxic, lagi kong hinihiling kay God na ‘yung next na relationship ko, please, sana siya na,” she said.
Villanueva regarded her now-current boyfriend as a heaven-sent, as she stressed that Monasterio still surprises her with how good of a person he is.
“Tapos, biglang dumating si Derrick na unexpected naman,” she remarked. “Parang sa lahat ng naka-relationship ko, si Derrick ‘yung pinakamabait at pinaka-inaalagaan ako,”
Beginnings
In the beginning of their onscreen partnership, the “Voltes V: Legacy” actress revealed that Monasterio started courting her. But while they have no label yet, they remained committed to each other.
It was only in August 2023 that the two confirmed their relationship. The actor affirmed that he continues to prove to Villanueva and her family that he is a worthy man.
“Kailangan ko pa rin siguro i-prove sa kanya, at hindi lang kay Elle, na worthy ako para sa anak niya para mas maganda ang chances,” he told PEP at the time.
Monasterio also shared that his mom also approves of the actress, seeing how good an influence Villanueva is for him.
“Kasi siguro nakikita naman niya yung growth ko nung nakakasama ko [si Elle]. Nakita niya na nagbabago ako, nagma-mature. Kapag nakikita ng isang ina na ‘yung anak niya nagbabago, susuportahan niya talaga,” he said.
The reel-to-real couple currently stars in GMA Network’s “Makiling.”