MANILA, Philippines – Alex Gonzaga is known for her witty and funny personality on-screen. But the actress, who has written two books about love and dating, is also sharing some sound advice when it comes to relationships. 

At the press conference Wednesday, September 14 for her movie My Rebound Girl, which reunites her with former Pure Love co-star Joseph Marco, Alex was asked what among the tips she wrote in her books – Dear Alex, Break Na Kami?! Love, Catherine and Dear Alex, We’re Dating. Tama, Mali?! Love, Catherine, would suit her character Rocky in the movie.

“Una is huwag magmadali. Kailangan talagang pahirapan at patagalin ang pangliligaw. Para malaman mo talaga kung seryoso at kung talagang para sa iyo ‘yung lalaking iyon. Iyon ‘yung para sa akin,” she said.

(For me, don’t rush to be in a relationship. You really need to test and allow fo time during courtship. So you would know if he’s really serious and if the guy is really for you. That’s for me.)

“Kasi, parang feeling ko dahil parang ang ate ko (Toni Gonzaga) nagpakasal na, may anak na, tapos yung mga kaibigan ko na mga non-showbiz mga nagpapakasal na din. So ang feeling ko naiiwan ako. So pag may mga lumalapit sa akin, parang feeling ko, tinitingnan ko yung future kung may meron ba, parang masyadong nagmamadali doon sa ano pa pwede mag unfold sa aming love story. 

(Because I feel that with my sister [Toni Gonzaga] married, having a kid, and then my non-showbiz friends are getting married. So I feel that I’m already being left behind. So when someone approaches me, I feel, I try to see if there’s a future already, it’s almost like I’m already in a hurry to see what may possibly unfold in our love story.)

“So I think mas maganda yung papatagalin at pahihirapan mo muna talaga, para makita mo kung seryoso yung lalaki sa iyo,” Alex said. 

(So I think it’s better if you take time and give a bit of hard time, so you’ll see if the guy is serious about you.)

Alex also confirmed with reporters after the press conference that she had a short-lived relationship with a non-showbiz guy, which lasted around two months. 

When asked about the relationship, she said: “Hindi ko din alam. Siguro ‘yung ugali namin, hindi tugma. Iyon talaga… matagal ko din prinoseso sa utak ko kung bakit. Pero naisip ko na hindi.”

(I really don’t know also. I guess our personalities just didn’t match. I really took time to process it in my head as to why [it did not work]. But I just thought it’s not meant to be.) 

My Rebound Girl

In My Rebound Girl, Alex’s character Rocky is wary of being someone’s rebound relationship. After her boyfriend Timmy (Carl Guevarra) breaks up with her, she meets Rich Magsanoc (Joseph Marco), and the two become close to each other, as they try to run a coffee shop. But just when the two are starting to fall for each other, complications arise when Rich’s ex-girlfriend returns, and Rocky questions herself if she’s finding herself once again in a rebound relationship.

In an interview with reporters after the press conference, Alex was asked about her thoughts on rebound relationships. 

“Masakit maging rebound ha. Parang may butas dito [sa puso]. Tapos parang feeling mo ang pangit pangit mo, tapos ma oobsess ka doon sa babae na binalikan, na parang, anong meron dito? Parang makikipag compete ka personally kahit wala na sa iyo yung guy.

(It hurts to be someone’s rebound girl. It’s like you have a hole here [in the heart]. And then you feel like you’re so ugly, and you’ll get obsessed with the girl he got back with like, what does she have? You’ll end up competing personally even if you’re not with the guy anymore.)

“Parang magkakaroon ng personal competition na bakit ako iniwan, ba’t hindi ako yung pinili?” she said.

(It’s like there’s a personal competition, asking yourself why he left you, why did he not choose you?)

Directed by Emmanuel dela Cruz, My Rebound Girl opens in theaters on September 28. – Rappler.com