How Erich Gonzales and Daniel Matsunaga became an item

MANILA, Philippines – Weeks after confirming their relationship, Daniel Matsunaga and Erich Gonzales talked about how they got together in the first place. (READ: Daniel Matsunaga confirms he and Erich Gonzales are dating)

In a recent interview with Kris Aquino on her show KrisTV, Daniel recalled the first time he met Erich when they joined Kris in one of her trips to Palawan. (READ: Daniel Matsunaga opens up about relationship with Erich Gonzales)

“My first impression of Erich was syempre, maganda and mabait. Different talaga yung taping na ginawa namin doon sa Palawan from doon sa studio. Parang I felt mas comfortable ako,” he said.

(My first impression of Erich was of course, that she was pretty and very nice. The taping in Palawan was very different from what we did in the studio. I felt more comfortable.)

Erich said: “Honestly ate, yung ganyan ka guwapo akala mo, ‘ang yabang mo naman,’ malakas ang dating. Kasi normally yung mga ganyan ay, ‘guwapo ako eh.’ So yung feeling na ganyan.

“Pero nag-change na siya nung nag-usap na kami, sobrang napakahumble, very down to earth. Sobrang gaan kasama, Masaya, napaka-funny niya,” she said. 

(Honestly, a guy who’s that good-looking, you would think he’d be very arrogant, coming off strong. Because normally for guys who are that good looking, they would go, ‘I’m handsome.’ So it was like that. But it changed with him when we started talking. He’s very humble, very down to earth. He’s so easy to be around with, so nice and funny.)

Daniel added:  “Siguro, it’s really destiny, God has his own timing.

“I guess, that time, God used you [Kris] to introduce us.”

Getting together

After their meeting the two became good friends. But it was during the taping of the series Two Wives that they became closer.

“Nung una niyang pagpasok [sa show], normal lang. Masaya ako to see him and maging parte siya ng Two Wives. Walang ilangan at all. Kahit nung una naming kilala sa Palawan, nandoon agad ‘yung connection. I don’t have to pretend na prim and proper ako dapat. Kung ano lang ako, nakita niya kaagad,”  Erich said.

(When he came to the show, it was normal. I was happy to see him and that he was part of Two Wives. It wasn’t awkward at all. Even the first time we met in Palawan, the connection was there. I don’t have to pretend to be prim and proper. He saw who I really was.)

At that time, Erich was still with her non-showbiz boyfriend of 4 years. In a previous interview with Kris on the show, Erich said that she and ex-boyfriend are okay. She has since pulled out her investments in the two restaurants she used to have a share in.

It was during Christmas last year that Erich admitted she was starting to have problems with her non-showbiz boyfriend. When Daniel entered Two Wives, Erich said she did not tell him it was rocky. 

Daniel on the other hand did not court Erich immediately when he found out that she was once again single. 

“I always said in every interview na God really has his own timing. It’s not something that you have to rush. I never rushed any relationship. I always waited. I just trust, have faith. It really happens in the right time,” he said.

While the two did not say when they really got together, Daniel said that they were already an item during a taping for KrisTV in Pampanga.

“At that time, we were together already. Pero siyempre we want to have something private, just the two of us. We don’t have to go all out and tell people about everything,” he said.

Their status was became known to the public when they started posting photos being sweet together in April. Since then, critics and fans alike have expressed their opinions on the couple’s relationship.

Now that they are together, Erich said she is happy how Daniel expresses his feelings for her. 

“Kapag magkasama kami, lagi niyang tinatanong, ‘Are you okay? Is there anything you need?’ Laging ako muna. He makes sure na komportable ako, na safe ako, na okay lagi. It’s a nice feeling na tini-treat kang ganun,” she said.

(When we are together, he would always ask, ‘Are you okay? Is there anything you need?’ He puts me first. He makes sure that I am comfortable, that I am safe that everything is okay. It’s a nice feeling, to be treated like that.)

As for whether their relationship is for keeps, Daniel said: “Of course. I can see hundred years down the road.”

Erich for her part said: “For us, we just leave everything in God’s hands. I mean, honestly, hindi naman natin alam (we don’t know) what will happen in the future.

“Kumbaga, si God lang ang nakakalam kung tayo talaga for each other.” (It’s only God who knows if we are meant really for each other.) – Rappler.com