Lloydie denies giving Angel expensive gifts

ANGELICA Panganiban and John Lloyd Cruz

Actor John Lloyd Cruz said he won’t spend hard-earned money on expensive gifts like a luxury car and jewelry for Angelica Panganiban, although finally admitting dating the actress.

“This is really embarrassing. Napakalaking pera para bitiwan lang ng gan’on [it’s such a huge amount to throw away just like that],” the actor said. “This might lead the BIR (Bureau of Internal Revenue) into thinking I just wasted my hard-earned money [on luxury items].”

Cruz also explained that the ring Panganiban was wearing in a photo she posted on Instagram was costume jewelry she had used in her latest Star Cinema film, “One More Try,” with actor Dingdong Dantes.

“We never tried to hide from the public what’s going on between us. We just didn’t want to talk about the details of our relationship,” said Cruz during the recent launch of his latest ABS-CBN drama series “A Beautiful Affair.”

Romance reportedly bloomed between Cruz and Panganiban in April while filming in Vietnam for the coming Kapamilya collection of short films, titled “24/7 In Love.”

The rumor was fueled by Panganiban’s August 12 entry on Instagram—a collage photo of her and Cruz that she titled, “Perfect Sunday.”

The couple’s first public appearance together was at the annual Star Magic Ball on September 1. They were even seen holding hands while leaving the venue.

At a recent press preview of the independent film “Madaling Araw, Mahabang Gabi” which features Panganiban, director Dante Nico Garcia revealed that the two actors have already been going out for four months now.

“We take every opportunity to be together, to spend time with her family and mine,” Cruz admitted.

Garcia added that Panganiban even wrote a song for Cruz that she titled, “Barcelona.” It was sung by costar Glaiza de Castro and was used in their movie’s soundtrack.

“I know of the song that Angel (Panganiban’s nickname) made with Glaiza,” Cruz said. “This is the first time someone has written a song for me. I actually feel very shy about it. It’s not everyday that someone makes a song for you.”

Garcia further showed media the video he shot of the couple hugging and kissing at Panganiban’s house.

“I have yet to see the video, but Direk Ga (Garcia’s nickname) is very close to us. I don’t think he would come out with something that would harm us as a couple or individually as actors,” Cruz said. “[I think] it was a video shot while spending time with friends.”

Cruz, who is promoting his latest drama series with Bea Alonzo, gamely answered questions from entertainment writers. Here are excerpts:

Derek Ramsay (Panganiban’s ex-boyfriend) recently came to your defense. He said there was no third party to their breakup. What’s your reaction to this?

I don’t think he’s defending me; he’s just telling the truth.

Are you open to working with Derek soon? How about with Angelica?

I haven’t seen Derek (since he transferred from ABS-CBN to TV5). I don’t mind working with him. It’s really Angelica and I who are not willing to work together just yet. We’ve made a Christmas special (“24/7 In Love”), but we weren’t close then.

What is Angelica’s positive influence on you?

Angel doesn’t hinder me from doing or accomplishing what I want for myself … She lets me be.

Do you consider Angel wife material?

Definitely. The person who will end up marrying her will be really lucky, although getting married is still far from my mind. The ideal marrying age for me is between 33 and 35. (Cruz is 29 years old.)