MANILA, Philippines – Actress and It’s Showtime host Coleen Garcia said that her relationship with Billy Crawford is going very well.

In an interview with reporters at the press conference of Pasion de Amor, Coleen said that she is thankful that Billy is very supportive of her career. 

“I’m very thankful that he’s considerate enough to actually think na ayaw na niya dumagdag. Yung iniintindi na lang niya ako on my own na nahihirapan ako sa mga aspeto na napupuno yung schedule tapos may mga scenes na challenging na ako nahihirapan,” she said.

(I’m very thankful that he’s considerate enough to actually think that he does not want to add any more problems. He just tries to understand me on my own, especially when I’m having a hard time with certain aspects of my life – like when my schedule is full, and then I have scenes that are challenging and difficult.) 

Coleen also said that she is lucky her relationship does with Billy does not keep her from achieving her goals. 

“Not at all. I think hadlang iyon kung may boyfriend ka na hindi supportive. Sobrang laking hadlang iyon…nagpapasalamat ako because Billy is the exact opposite. But at the same time, he also shows you that he cares. Hindi naman niya pinakikita sa’yo na bahala ka sa sarili mo.”

 (I think it hinders if you have a boyfriend that is not supportive. That’s a big hindrance…I am thankful Billy is the exactly the opposite. But at the same time, he also shows you that he cares. He will not make you feel like you’re alone.)

As for those who continue to criticize their relationship, Coleen said it is all about tuning them out. 

“Process iyan…I mean you need people in your life to give you opinions, you need critics, but when it comes to your relationship, you need to shut everybody out, and when you master that art of shutting everybody out, parang hindi ka na babalik sa duda, hindi ka babalik sa malulungkot ka sa mga naririnig mo. So once nakarating ka na sa point na iyon hindi ka na babalik doon and nakarating na kami sa point na lahat nangyayari outside of the relationship should not affect what’s within the relationship which is him and me only.”

(It’s a process…I mean you need people in your life to give opinions, you need critics, but when it comes to your relationship, you need to shut everybody out, and when you master that art of shutting everybody out, the doubts will not return, you won’t go back to the idea of being sad about what you hear. So when you reach that point, you won’t have to go back. We’ve reached the point that everything that’s happening outside should not affect that relationship, which is between him and me only.)

When asked to describe her relationship with Billy, she said: “Very strong, very happy and very totoo (real) for me. I feel it’s so genuine, so effortless but at the same time we try our best to be the best for each other.”

Pasion de Amor

In Pasion de Amor, Coleen plays the role of Jamie Elizondo, the youngest of the 3 Elizondo sisters. She is paired up with actor Joseph Marco, who plays Franco Samonte.

Coleen said that working with Joseph has been a wonderful experience since they have been bonding for sometime now.

“With Joseph siya yung pinaka nakakasama ko, kasi with the sisters, magkakasama lang kami sa house location sa Batangas… It also helps that Billy is not jealous because if he were I would not be able to have that relationship with Joseph. I’m thankful because it helps me with my work also.”

(With Joseph, he’s the one I’m often with because with the sisters, we get together only in the house location in Batangas.)

As for Joseph’s comment that if she were not attached, he would have probably courted her, Coleen said: “Flattering pero kasi si Joseph napakabuting tao (Joseph is a very nice person).., he’s such a good guy.”

Asked if Billy will not get jealous over Joseph’s statement, Coleen said: “Alam naman niya at the end of the day siya pa rin ang boyfriend ko. Sa lahat ba naman ng pinagdaanan namin diba? 

“We have a very strong level of commitment because of what we’ve been through… Marunong  na kami lumaban at panindigan yung relationship.  It would take a lot for us to crumble.” (We know how to fight for the relationship.)

The show also stars Jake Cuenca, Arci Muñoz, Ellen Adarna, and Ejay Falcon, Pasion de Amor airs on June 1. – Rappler.com