Alessandra & Jeremy: The First Time/ The Last Time

They realized that they really loved each other when they broke up last June. The cause: A third party (said to be Jennylyn Mercado). Jeremy Marquez, actor-son of Joey Marquez, had to court Alessandra "Alex" de Rossi all over again before she relented. Jeremy sealed their reconciliation with a 10-carat ring he gave Alessandra, promising never, never to do it again – that is, swap text sweet nothin’s with any other girl.

Alessandra admitted that Jeremy was her crush even at the time when she was going steady with Oyo Boy Sotto. "I even told Oyo, ‘Crush ko yan, type ko ‘yan!’ and Oyo was only amused."

When they met in January last year during a Nivea event in Palawan, she was free and so was he. They instantly hit it off beautifully.

"I didn’t care about his past," said Alessandra. "I was concerned about our future."

Opposites do attract. She’s talkative and he’s quiet. She can be brutally frank while he’s reserved. She’s straight-forward while he’s secretive.

Asked what she likes about him, Alessandra said, "None!" She’s joking, of course! Then, she conceded, "His looks. Kung hindi siya guapo, friend na lang ang tingin ko sa kanya o kaya brother!"

"That’s what I like about her," said Jeremy, "’yung ugali niya. Totoong tao siya! There’s never a dull moment with her."

She’s not his first girlfriend and neither is he her first boyfriend. Only time will tell if they are each other’s last – lasting – sweethearts.

Come to think of it, what are the other "first times" and "last times" in the lives of the couple?

Stand by.

Cried Really Hard

Alessandra: The first time was when I was born. My mom told me that I cried really hard, as if I was protesting. The last time was two Sundays ago. Don’t ask me why. (Stealing a glance at Jeremy.)

Jeremy: The first time was when our family moved to Reno, Nevada, from Los Angeles. I was just a kid then. I was born in the Philippines but I migrated with my family to the US when I was four years old. I grew up in L.A. and I cried because I didn’t want to leave my friends behind. It was in Reno that I became a "bad boy," so my parents brought me back to the Philippines. The last time I cried really hard was last month and I guess you know why.

Prayed Really Hard

Alessandra: The first time was when my grandmother was hospitalized for lung cancer, in Italy. She died soon after. The last time was also two Sundays ago. Don’t ask me why. (Stealing another glance at Jeremy.) Not because you cry doesn’t mean it’s about love. I just sorted things out about myself. (Addressing Jeremy: "Bakit ang sama ng tingin mo sa akin? Masama ba maging honest?" Looking submissive, Jeremy said, "Hindi.")

Jeremy: The first time was when I was in high school at Benedictine (Alabang). I failed in all my subjects and I prayed hard that my dad wouldn’t punish me. How does my dad discipline us? Not with the rod but with hurting words, masasakit na salita pero hindi mura. The last time was also last month. I prayed hard that I would win her back. God never fails those who seek His help. (Side remark from Alessandra: "Wow, galit sa akin ang Diyos!")

Kissed a Guy/Girl

Alessandra: The first time was when I was five years old. It happened in Italy. Ginaya namin ‘yung napanood namin sa TV. The last time was... just now... when you turned your back!

Jeremy: The first time was when I was seven years old. We were playing bahay-bahayan. It was just an innocent kiss, nothing serious.

The last time was... well, just now... when you were not looking!

Felt Really Sad

Alessandra: The first time was when my younger sister Margarita was born (In Italy where Alessandra and her siblings grew up; she was born in England to an Italian father and a Filipino mother. – RFL) Feeling ko hindi na ako masyadong pinapansin ng parents ko. The last time was when Jeremy and I broke up for the first time. That was last year, I think. We’ve been going steady for one year and something, since January 2005.

Jeremy: The first time was when I came back to the Philippines. I was depressed. The last time was last June and I guess you know why.

First/Last Memorable Toy

Alessandra: I once had a baby doll with a feeding bottle in her mouth. When you laid her down, the milk in the bottle would disappear. Assunta and I used to fight over that baby doll. The recent toy that I have is a PSP (Portable Play Station).

Jeremy: My first toy was a Nintendo when I was six years old. My favorite game was Blue Mines. My latest toy is...

Alessandra:... Me! I’m now his favorite toy!

Got Really Angry

Jeremy: When my mom’s boyfriend would quarrel with her. I was 10 years old then and my mom was already separated from my dad. My mom was my dad’s first wife. I got so angry when I saw my mom crying kapag inaaway siya ng boyfriend niya. The last time was also last June. Don’t ask me why and for whom.

Felt Heartbroken

Alessandra: The first time was when I broke up with Biboy (Ramirez), my first boyfriend. It was painful! I cried and cried. It took me five months to get over him. It was my first heartbreak and I didn’t know what to do. Since then, I’ve broken up with a few others at alam ko na kung paano i-handle ‘yung situation. I knew the feeling already. The last time was, of course, last June when I broke up with Jeremy. At that time, I thought it was for good.

Jeremy: The first time was three years ago when I broke up with Phoemela (Barranda). She left me. The last time was last June when Alex and I broke up. I thought we wouldn’t be able to patch things up.

First Thing That They Do When They Wake Up in The Morning

Alessandra: I check my cellphone if there are any "missed calls."

Jeremy: I look for Alex.

Last Thing That You Do Before You Sleep

Alessandra: I close my eyes!

Jeremy: I pray.

He/She Was Unfaithful

Alessandra: The first time was five years ago. I wasn’t happy with my relationship so I got attracted to another guy. The last time? That was the first and the last time.

Jeremy: The first time? (Alessandra butting in: "When he was born!") The first time was when I was in high school. I don’t remember the details anymore. The last time was... a long time ago! (Alessandra again butting in: "That was almost two months ago. Ang tagal na nga!")

Felt Intimations of Mortality

Alessandra: None that I know of.

Jeremy: The first time was when I was 10 years old. I was crossing the pedestrian lane when I was bumped by a speeding truck and thrown 10 feet away. My hip bone was squeezed in a bit. Luckily, no similar incident has happened to me since then.

First Car

Alessandra: A Honda Civic 2001 model. I bought it on installment basis.

Jeremy: A second-hand two-door Benz given to me by my dad. I was in third year high school then. I had it for only two weeks. Nag-overheat, so the engine was ruined. My dad got the car back.

Latest Car:

Alessandra: A Starex.

Jeremy: A BMW.

Said ‘Sorry’ to Anybody

Alessandra: The first time was when Assunta and I were kids. We fought and she fell from bed. Her leg was scraped and I told our mom about it. Our mom didn’t want our legs to be scratched. As she was being rushed to the clinic, ang sama ng tingin sa akin ni Assunta, so I felt really sorry. The last time was... No, there wasn’t any last time yet.

Jeremy: The first time was when I was in school when I got bad grades and my mom felt sad. Sorry ako nang sorry sa kanya. The last time was, yes, last June. Sorry ako nang sorry kay Alex.

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