Woman in love

More than a year after she broke up with first love Christian Bautista, Rachelle Ann Go has moved on. She has found a new love in Gab Valenciano, and Rachelle Ann makes no effort to hide it.

“I can feel it,” she gushes.

She feels it whenever Gab visits her daily at home and goes out of his way to win her previously skeptical parents. She feels it whenever he respects her 11-p.m. curfew at home since Rachelle Ann has shows the next day. And of course, she feels it whenever they go out on dates (e.g. the Rihanna-Chris Brown concert) and Gab holds her hand.

Last Christmas, the sweethearts surprised each other with gifts. Rachelle’s was a chair Gab was dying to have the first time he saw it in the store.

“First, I convinced him not to buy the computer chair yet. Then, I asked the store staff to reserve it for me and tell Gab it has already been sold. I asked them to assemble it at Gab’s home. I also talked to the people at his house when the chair was delivered,” relates Rachelle.

Today, the chair sits proudly in Gab’s studio — an eternal reminder of Rachelle Ann’s love.

Gab won’t be outdone, though. He gave his lady love a Macbook.

The magic started when A.S.A.P. hosts had a teambuilding session in the Valenciano home. As fate would have it, Rachelle Ann and Gab ended as partners. It was there, while discussing the values that keep them strong, that both realized they shared the same love for family and other beliefs (aside from music, of course).

Until that red-letter day came along, Rachelle Ann never imagined she’d fall for Gab.

“He was not my type. I was ignoring him,” she recalls.

She even called him kuya, even if he is two years her junior (Rachelle Ann is 22; Gab, 20).

Today, Rachelle Ann is singing a different tune.

“Gab helps me spiritually. We go to Victory fellowship in Makati with friends,” she says.

Rachelle Ann also marvels at Gab’s patience.

“He’s still there, even if I’m busy. He makes me happy,” she gushes. And, like all people in love, she misses Gab whenever he’s not around.

Now, she runs to his defense when people say her boyfriend is a high hat.

“He’s just shy,” Rachelle explains.

That’s why Falling in Love, her show at Music Museum on Jan. 30 and 31 couldn’t suit Rachelle Ann more. Past meets present as Christian guests in the show along with Gab, his dad Gary Valenciano, Ogie Alcasid and Richard Poon.

Since it’s a pre-Valentine show, Rachelle Ann will perform love songs from the ‘70s to the ‘80s.

“This is the kind of music that best reflects who I am and where I am right now in my life,” says Rachelle Ann.

Gary’s presence in the concert is proof that the Valencianos approve of Rachelle Ann for their youngest son. In fact, she spent last Christmas with the Valencianos the way Gab paid respects to Rachelle Ann’s parents at their home that day.

Rachelle Ann and Gab’s mom Angeli are also open to each other. In fact, they’ve grown so close they had a heart-to-heart talk recently.

Yes, Rachelle Ann Go is enjoying her second crack at happiness, with the blessings of her former boyfriend to boot.

“Christian and I are better off as friends,” Rachelle Ann observes.

With Gab in her life, Rachelle Ann’s love songs carry more meaning; life has assumed a brighter color once more.

The feeling is just right, especially for this coming Valentine season. To top it all, fans of romance stand to profit from it all as Rachelle performs songs that will light the embers of romance once more.