Why Shaira and EA choose to practice celibacy in 11-year relationship

MANILA, Philippines — Engaged couple Shaira Diaz and EA Guzman recently revealed that they have firmly practiced celibacy or sexual abstinence throughout their entire 11-year relationship.

The Kapuso artists have been engaged since Dec. 25, 2021 but only made it public last Friday, Feb. 16.

“From ‘me’ to ‘we’, to FOREVER (ring emoji),” read Shaira’s caption on her social media post carrying snaps from their actual engagement day.

The soon to be husband and wife celebrated their 11th anniversary as a couple on Feb. 17 — a day after sharing their relationship milestone.

In an interview on “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda,” Shaira and EA said that they have been abstaining from sex since they became a couple in 2013.

“One of the things that I admire about you is that you’re public with being celibate because this generation is kakaiba (different). This is not an indictment of this generation, but I just want to say that I admire you on that aspect. How easy or how difficult was that conversation about celibacy,” began the King of Talk when he opened the topic during his TV program.

The actor readily admitted he had a hard time being celibate at the onset of their relationship.

“First two years namin, umiiyak ako sa kanya, kasi ang hirap. To be honest, ang hirap. Sobrang nung time na yon, hindi ko na kaya, siyempre, di ba?,” shared EA.

“Sabi ko talaga sa kanya, ‘Baba, hindi ko na kaya,’” he recalled telling his girlfriend.

Nevertheless, EA said it was Shaira’s words that made them seal their decision to commit to celibacy.

“But nung may sinabi siya sa akin na, ‘Kung mahal mo talaga ako, hihintayin mo ako,’ dun ako tinamaan. As in, yun ang lagi kong sinasabi sa sarili ko kapag nakakaramdam ako nang ganito,” EA was quoted as saying in the interview.

He added, “Kaya sabi ko nga, nung nag-announce ako sa engagement namin, ‘I respect Shaira a lot.’ Kung alam lang nila.”

Shaira, on the other hand, said it became possible, especially because it was her way of honoring her parents.

“I’m really just honoring my family, especially my mom and dad. Yun ang promise ko talaga sa kanila na kahit iwan mo ako saan, eto, buong-buo pa rin ako,” the TV host and actress said.

“And they told me, ‘Yun ang best gift na maibibigay mo sa magiging asawa mo,’” she added.

Shaira and EA plan to tie the knot in 2026.