What hurts LJ the most

While Paulo Avelino is open about dating KC Concepcion, he used to be mum about his son Aki with former girlfriend LJ Reyes. He’s all smiles when asked about KC but he appeared irritated when reporters asked him about how much time he’s devoting to Aki — that is, until lately when Paulo started to open up a bit after he was lambasted by the movie press for his rudeness.

On the other hand, LJ used to be very open about Paulo and Aki until recently when she threw a little tantrum when pressed by movie writers on the real score between her and Paulo during an ambush interview. LJ has already amply made up for it by agreeing to a no-holds-barred presscon — well, up to a certain point.

When asked by Funfare during a one-on-one what really led to her and Paulo’s breakup, LJ could only say that she tried her best to sustain their relationship but she could only go so far, politely refusing to tell exactly what it was.

“Basta, lahat ng effort ginawa ko,” said LJ in near tears, reacting to rumors that Paulo tried to reconcile with her…in vain. “Sino naman pong Nanay ang hindi gagawin ang lahat para lumaki ang anak sa isang buong pamilya?”

LJ finally broke down when she admitted that what hurt her the most was when movie writers asked her how she felt about reports quoting Paulo as saying that, yes, he does visit Aki “when he has time.”

“Actually, naawa ako sa anak ko,” said LJ. “Ang dating sa akin, hindi enough time ‘yung ibinibigay kay Aki ng ama nya. A few more years, Aki will see those interviews on YouTube and how will he feel? It hurts, di ba?”

Does Paulo visit Aki regularly?

LJ: Whenever he has time.

Like a distant father?

LJ nodded.

Is Paulo true to his obligation to Aki (financial support, etc.)?

LJ nodded.

“I’m the boy’s mother and he’s the boy’s father so, even if we are separated, we try to raise Aki together. Nothing has changed. Pinupuntahan naman niya si Aki,” LJ added, pausing a bit, “kapag may time siya.”

Insisting that JC de Vera is courting her (or if they are an item), LJ said that they are just friends and when they go out, it’s usually with other friends.

“JC and I have been friends from way back. After StarStruck, maski hindi siya kasama doon sa search, it was always JC na kasama ko sa mga shows. So we became close.”

LJ said that she’s happy with whatever makes Paulo happy, including his love life.

“If they are really dating,” explained LJ, “there’s nothing wrong with it. Kung saan sila happy, happy na rin ako. KC is beautiful and intelligent, so who won’t fall in love with her? Maski siguro ako magkaka-girl crush sa kanya.”

Any chance for her and Paulo to get back together again?

LJ was mum.

*  *  *

Does age matter?

Well, it doesn’t especially in love —  when two people are really, really in love.

Thus, despite the yawning age-gap between her and Vic “Bossing” Sotto, Pauleen Luna swore that age is only a number. If it worked with other showbiz couples, like Dolphy and Zsa Zsa Padilla in a ‘till-death-do-us-part commitment, it’s working beautifully with Vic and Pauleen.

“Age has never been a problem with us,” said Pauleen who is of the same age as Danica Sotto (Mrs. Marc Pingris), one of Vic’s children. “It’s because we have equal amount of respect for each other. Mas mabigat ang importansya namin sa kanya-kanyang buhay, We put God at the center of our relationship.”

In the next breath, Pauleen added, “Kasi hindi lang naman kami naglolokohan, eh. What we have is something real, something true. You enter a relationship not only to be happy for a day or for a month but hopefully for good.”

But no, she hastened to clarify, she and Vic haven’t seriously talked about settling down (and not that Vic has developed a phobia for marriage after a failed one).

“If and when that day comes,” wished Pauleen, “I will be the happiest person on Earth.”

If they ever did (get married), they would accomplish what the late Dolphy and Zsa Zsa failed to do due to some legalities.

Said Pauleen, “Kahit sino namang parent siguro, nirerespeto nila ang kahit sinong lalaking handang pakasalan ang kanilang anak.”

Pauleen confirmed that Vic is close to her family and she’s okay with Vic’s children.

And what are their terms of endearment?

Pauleen blushed, “Secret!”

How does Vic address her parents?

“He calls my mom Mommy Luna and my dad naman, Daddy Luna. That’s how my friends in Eat, Bulaga! also call my Mom and Dad.”

Since they started being “on,” Pauleen has noticed certain changes in Vic’s attitude.

“He has become more jolly,” observed Pauleen. “Maybe he got it from me because I’m basically a happy person.”

Recently, Pauleen tweeted “Happy 2” without elaborating. Was she referring to the time she and Vic have been going steady?

Pauleen was mum.

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