NOW it can be revealed: Angelica Panganiban and Carlo Aquino rekindled their relationship but broke up for a second time during their younger years.
The couple made the candid admission during a press conference Tuesday for their upcoming film “Exes Baggage,” the maiden offering of ABS-CBN Films’ Black Sheep.
“Naging kami ta’s naghiwalay kami – taon din ‘yun,” Panganiban said, when asked what caused their breakup. “Ganyan ‘yung ginawa niya sa akin, iyong nagpa-cute ulit, ta’s ito na naman ako, tuwang-tuwa ako, ayun na-fall ako, naging kami ulit. Dalawang beses naging kami.”
Dubbed “CarGel,” the onscreen tandem of Panganiban and Aquino rose to popularity in 1999, when they first co-starred in the youth-oriented TV series “G-mik.” They went on to become real-life sweethearts as their “love team” flourished onscreen.
Without detailing the timeline, Panganiban shared that their second chance at love didn’t last long.
“Iyong pangalawang beses, hindi na siya sure. ‘Di ba? Ano ba?” she said, turning to Aquino, who was seated beside her. “Hindi na niya alam kung iyon ‘yung gusto niya, kung ito pa rin ba ang gusto niya.”
Panganiban had previously said, in an April 2013 interview, that her relationship with Aquino lasted six years. It’s unclear if the count included the gap between their first breakup and their reconciliation.
Aquino readily pointed at Panganiban when they were asked which of them fought harder to keep the relationship.
Panganiban answered: “Laging ako. Pero siyempre hindi naman laging siya ‘yung mali. Ano kaya ‘yon, hindi ako nagkamali? Ano ako, Mama Mary? Perfect? Siyempre, may mga nagawa rin ako, may mga pinagselosan din siya.”
“Siyempre, bata kami noon, e. Nakaka-excite pag may nanligaw sa ‘yo, pag may nagandahan sa’yong iba. Gano’n lang siguro ‘yun, bata pa kami noon.”
Panganiban’s response aligned with her 2013 interview with StarStudio magazine, in which she surmised that, due to their young age then, their relationship didn’t deepen and mature.
“Siyempre iniisip namin noon seryoso na kami. Parang feeling namin noon, magpapaksal kami, kami na forever. Pero eventually, ngayon ‘pag tinitingnan mo, ibang-iba pala siya sa talagang relationship na meron kami ni Carlo,” she said at the time.
Panganiban and Aquino have managed to stay friends over the years, and have noticeably become closer in recent months, going by their sweet photos on Instagram.
Despite their affection through words (in captions) and touch (their arms were comfortably tangled during the media launch at one point), Aquino clarified that they are not romantically involved now.
“Hindi, hindi ako nanliligaw,” he said, prompting a playful response from Panganiban: “Ouch.” (ABS-CBN News)
