Darren Espanto opens up on ‘puppy love’ with Kyline Alcantara

(From left) Darren Espanto and Kyline Alcantara. Images: Screengrab from YouTube/GMA Network, Instagram/@itskylinealcantara

Darren Espanto opened up about his past yearlong relationship with Kyline Alcantara, which he labeled as a mere “puppy love” romance.

In an interview with Boy Abunda on Monday, April 15, Espanto was asked to comment about the extent of his relationship with Alcantara following the latter’s guest appearance on “It’s Showtime,” where she seemed to allude to their previous involvement.

“I’m talking about Kyline, what is the true story? Sabihin mo sa akin ang totoo. Naging kayo (Tell me the truth. Did you ever get together?” Abunda asked.

“Hindi ko masagot ng yes or no kasi (I can’t answer a yes or no because) it was a puppy love kind of thing before when we were younger,” he said.

The singer also shared they were together for “like a year” and were “very comfortable.” However, they parted ways due to certain “misunderstandings,” but are now friends again as they eventually “matured.”

“There were some misunderstandings. And then when we both matured, six years later, parang napag-usapan namin. Eventually, we became okay with each other again. Naging friends na uli,” he said. “Siyempre kapag mga bata, may mga petty na away.”

(There were some misunderstandings. And then when we both matured, six years later, we talked about it. Eventually, we became okay with each other again. We became friends again. Of course, when you were kids, you had petty fights.)

Friendship with Cassy Legaspi

During the interview, Espanto also clarified that he has no bad blood with actress Cassy Legaspi, days after finally shooting down rumors that the two of them were more than just “best friends.”

“Nagulat ako na ‘yun ang biglang mga lumalabas because I had an interview also recently and I clarified things that we are best friends. Ayun nga, people kind of misunderstood the whole situation. And so I messaged Cass right away,” he said referring to Legaspi.

(I was surprised that such allegations came out because I had an interview recently, and I clarified that we are best friends. People kind of misunderstood the whole situation. And so I messaged Cass right away.)

Espanto was referring to a TV Patrol report that aired on April 8, where he referred to Legaspi as his “best friend.” Speculations of a falling out arose when Legaspi’s mother, Carmina Villarroel, shared a cryptic post on her Instagram Stories soon after.

“After that interview, I think there were some IG stories from Tita Carmina and Cass, and [netizens] kind of stitched it together. Hindi po kami nag-aaway. Cass also explained their posts,” he said, noting Legaspi’s GMA’s Unang Balita interview aired on April 12.

READ: Cassy Legaspi says Darren Espanto is her ‘best friend’ as well

The singer-host explained that Legaspi is fond of sharing song recommendations on her Instagram Stories, while Villarroel has a knack for inspirational posts.

“So that’s something I clarified with her. Like, ‘If you’re mad at me or if I did anything wrong, please tell me.’ She doesn’t have any ill feelings towards me, she and her family,” he said. “We’re so closed already. We would never try to beat around the bush. We always just ask each other directly at this point.”

Espanto was then grilled about his real score with Legaspi once again, to which he said they are “still best friends” although they “became closer” during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Cass and I have always been friends and we became closer during the pandemic. Until now, we’re still best friends. The rest of the details, sa amin na lang (we’ll keep it between us),” he said.

‘Something’ with Jayda

The interview then shifted to Espanto’s friendship with Jayda Avanzado but the singer-host was also tightlipped on the topic. 

“Jayda and I have been friends since we were younger, and we’re still friends naman. And for me, it’s something that I guess we’d like to keep private as well, the things from the past,” he said.

Espanto was then asked if there was “anything romantic” between them, and he said there was “definitely something” between them but they chose to remain friends.

“Opo. There definitely was, but ‘yun lang ang sasabihin ko (that’s all I’m going to say). We’re still friends,” he said.