MANILA, Philippines – Actress Jewel Mische said she and her American fiance Alister are waiting for their wedding day to share their first kiss.
READ: Jewel Mische to tie the knot this year
This, the ABS-CBN artist explained, is because they vowed not to engage in any sexual activity before their wedding.
In an interview with ABS-CBN's showbiz talk show “The Buzz” on Sunday, Jewel said: “Alister and I, first and foremost, we believe that sex is God's wedding present.”
She further explained, “We believe that sexual intercourse or the physical and emotional union of two people should be a means of celebrating love, producing children and experiencing pleasure together protected by the commitment of marriage.”
Jewel met Alister in a Christian church two years ago. They got engaged Christmas last year.
The actress admits she and her fiance made “mistakes in the past.” But now that they found each other, they are willing “to pursue what we think is right.”
“We are both grounded and we believe that sex is for married people. But we messed up also in the past,” Jewel said.
She further explained, “Now that we have found each other, we are willing to pursue what we think is right. We we will do everything to reach that goal. And ito na, we believe that everything starts with kissing... It's the doorway to physical intimacy. So we said na if we can wait to kiss, then let's wait.”
Jewel said it's easier to commit to their promise of no pre-marital sex because they are not in “ the wrong kind of relationship.”
“Kailangan kasi if you want that, pareho kayo ng beliefs, pareho kayo ng conviction. And now we're helping each other to achieve that,” she said.
Asked why she's open about her and Alister's no sex before marriage vow, Jewel said she wants to share that “it's still possible.”
“Men like Alister still exist,” she said.
Jewel was a product of GMA-7's reality talent show “Starstruck” but transferred to ABS-CBN in 2011. She was romantically linked to former GMA-7 actor Richard Gutierrez and “Two Wives” star Jason Abalos.
Jewel and Alister plan to have a “winter wedding” in the United States and a second wedding ceremony in the Philippines next year.