Kim Chiu and Gerald Anderson: ‘Lampas na po kami sa friendship’
by Bernie Franco ( ABS-CBN.com ) 01.21.10
Kim Chiu and Gerald Anderson explained to reporters at the January 19 press conference for their movie Paano Na Kaya? that they are not keen on putting label on their relationship. The former Pinoy Big Brother Teen Edition housemates said that what matters to them is that they genuinely care for each other. “Sa akin po kasi 2010 na so pagod na rin po ako sa mga safe answers. Sa tagal na magkasama kami ni Kim—four years—ang masasabi ko lang, hindi po kami nagko-confirm ng kung ano, basta ayaw ko ring sabihing we’re really close friends dahil sa point of view ko, lampas na po kami sa friendship. Basta sa amin, ayaw ko lang pong masaktan si Kim at ayaw n’ya ring masaktan ako,” Gerald explained.

Kim said that they are not officially a couple, but admitted that she feels happy and secure whenever Gerald is around. “Lagi akong safe ‘pag nandiyan siya. Lagi niya akong pinapatawa, so parang isa siya sa mga taong nagpapasaya sa akin ngayon and masaya kami ‘pag magkasama kami.”

A member of the press then revealed that she saw Kim and Gerald being sweet to each other while doing the groceries. The two suddenly broke apart when they saw the reporter. Gerald explained that they were just shopping for Christmas decorations for his house, which was near the location where they were shooting the film at that time.

Even when reporters continued to pressure them to reveal the real score between them, Kim and Gerald stuck to their statement that they are more than friends but not yet a couple. “Hindi pa [kami]. Sa amin na lang ‘yon. Napag-usapan na namin ‘yon and nag-agree naman kami,” Kim explained. She added that Gerald assured her that he is willing to wait until she is ready and that they would both like to enjoy for now their relationship and their flourishing careers.

Director Ruel Bayani, who also helmed their previous teleserye Tayong Dalawa, said that labeling their relationship should not be much of the concern. “Honestly, napaka-useless na i-label pa sila. The truth is there is so much love between them, there is so much support. ‘Yun lang may tao sa tabi mo na hahawak sa kamay mo, na patatawanin ka o kukulitin ka o dadalhan ka ng pagkain, kung hindi naman sila lovers, e ano naman ba? Ang importante ay ang relationship at ‘yung love na nakukuha nila sa isa’t-isa.

“Sa point of view, hindi ko kailangan ng confirmation o labeling. Ang imporante sa akin sa murang edad nila, they get to enjoy the work [and] they get to enjoy each other, [the] love, friendship, company of each other, kumpleto sila do’n. ‘Yun na rin ‘yon for as long as they are happy together, they get to enjoy each other’s company and patuloy nilang nabi-bring out ‘yung best sa isa’t isa, sa akin ‘yun na ‘yon.”