Kate Valdez and Fumiya Sankai | Image: Instagram/@valdezkate_, @fumi.japan
Kate Valdez did not confirm or deny that she’s dating Japanese vlogger Fumiya Sankai but shared that she’s “in love and happy” when asked about their Hong Kong trip that was gifted to her by the latter.
“‘Yung trip na ‘yun (that trip), it was a gift for me from him. Gusto niyang (he wanted to spend) i-spend ‘yung special day ko with me. So tinanong niya ko kung ano ‘yung gusto ko (he asked me what I wanted), and then I told him na parang gusto kong ma-experience ‘yung (I want to experience) Disneyland,” the actress said in an interview on 24 Oras.
The “Unica Hija” star remarked that she’s “very at peace” whenever she’s with Sankai, “Kahit na may problema (even if there’s a problem), he’s there always talaga.”
When asked if they’re dating each other, Valdez gave a candid response, “Ano, Tito Lhar, sobrang happy kami sa isa’t isa, sa presence ng isa’t isa (we’re very happy with each other, to be around each other’s presence),” adding that she’s “super in love” and “grateful” for Sankai.
The 24-year-old actress then shared that she and Sankai met in one of the events that they attended with some common friends.
The pair became the subject of dating rumors after they posted photos together in Hong Kong Disneyland on Sunday, Aug. 25.
“Thank you for making my birthday so magical and for making the kid in me feel so happy,” the actress wrote on Instagram and tagged Sankai. The Japanese personality also shared photos of them on his Instagram page, greeting Valdez a happy birthday and sharing that it was his first trip to Hong Kong.
The couple has been delighting their fans with TikTok collaborations. One of their dance videos has gathered 4.5 million views and almost 500,000 likes as of writing.
Valdez was previously in a relationship with fellow Kapuso actor Yasser Marta. She is set to star in the Philippine remake of the hit K-drama “Shining Inheritance” alongside Kyline Alcantara, Michael Sager, Paul Salas, and Coney Reyes.
Meanwhile, Sankai rose to fame when he became the first pure Japanese official housemate in “Pinoy Big Brother: Otso.” He finished the 9-month running show as the 5th big placer. Right now, he is venturing into vlogging and music.