Sam Verzosa on girlfriend Rhian Ramos: She’s my lucky charm
Sam Verzosa described girlfriend Rhian Ramos as his “lucky charm” after receiving back-to-back awards.
Along with the Department of Health Sec. Ted Herbosa, the 42-year-old TV host, businessman and politico was one of the two Filipinos who received the Gusi Peace Prize international award during a ceremony held last week at the Metropolitan Theater.
He was cited, among other things, for his philanthropic activities through Frontrow Cares, the corporate social responsibility arm of the health and wellness company he co-founded, Frontrow International, which made “significant contributions to disaster relief, education and healthcare for underserved communities” for over a decade now.
“I'm just a kid who grew up in Sampaloc, Manila. I came from nothing and worked my way up, and now I'm one of the youngest recipients of the Gusi Peace Prize. To be recognized for doing something that I love is really overwhelming,” Sam, who joined the likes of Broadway icon Lea Salonga, National Artist Nora Aunor, the late action king Fernando Poe Jr. as recipients, said in his speech. He hopes it helps promote “a culture of giving, a movement of helping.”
Besides the Gusi Peace Prize, he was also honored last week with the Humanitarian Excellence Award, Outstanding Achievement Award for Public Service Program Excellence for his GMA Network show “Dear SV” and Outstanding Achievement Award for Public Service Program Host at the Asia Leaders Awards - Manila. Other honorees were eventologist Tim Yap and Gymnastics Association of the Philippines (GAP) president Cynthia Carrion.
The Kapuso star was present to support Sam, happily staying in the sidelines and taking her boyfriend’s pictures, when he received the awards at the residence of the Indonesia Ambassador Agus Widjojo in Forbes Park.
“Simula ng sinasamahan ako ni Rhian, sunod-sunod yung award ko — dahil ata sayo,” he teased Rhian during an interview afterwards.
“He's my award,” Rhian also quipped.
Sam, turning more serious, said, “She's really my lucky charm. But not only her charm, but her brains, her heart are also what's really helping me do what I do. Nabibigyan ako ng peace of mind every night. Nabibigyan ako ng magandang payo and yun nga, kahit may mga bashers, nakakalma niya ako.
“‘Pag nakikita ko siya nagsisipag — kasi alam mo, mukha akong masipag pero siempre alam mo naman yung buhay artista, madaling araw palang hanggang madaling araw the next day, nagtatrabaho — kung kaya niya gawin yun, kaya ko rin gawin yung ginagawa ko. We both motivate each other, we inspire each other.
“She gives me inspiration every day. We're partners in life. Whatever things we do in life, we always consult each other.”
He continued, “Every day, nag-uusap kami (we’d talk) about the future of our country, like things that are happening now. Ang daming problema, daming awayan. Sabi namin kung gusto namin ng pagbabago, sana simulan natin sa sarili natin.
“With us, nag-uusap kami kung paano kami makakatulong, paano namin mai-improve yung mga nakikita naming mali. ‘Di naman pwede salita ka ng salita, reklamo ka ng reklamo tapos wala kang ginagawa.
“Tayo yung binigyan ng gift, ng blessing ni God — talino, puso and resources na pwede kang tumulong sa ibang tao. So yun ang ginagamit namin, yung impluwesiya namin. Especially (Rhian), kilala siyang personalidad.”
Rhian, for her part, expressed her pride as his significant other. “I'm proud of every recognition he’s getting and I feel naman that he truly deserves it. I know that he doesn't do it for that. But of course, for a partner, it's nice for me to see when he gets recognized for the work that he does,” she said.
Whenever her schedule permits, she tries to be physically there for Sam. “I'm very lucky that we have that kind of culture in our relationship where we really try to be there for each other. It may be physically I'm here, or it could also be he's there for me emotionally and for our mental state,” she added.
“Of course, when Sam has his events, especially the charity events, I always like to help out and be present in any way I can help. But he's the most supportive also towards me… like andun din sya sa premiere ng mga movies ko.
“As much as possible I try to be around also, especially at a moment like this. I'm so proud of him! I just want to take his photos on the sidelines. I'm like a stage mom.”
Sam, who’s also serving as party-list representative, said that the “Huwag Mo Kong Iwan” lead star has given him valuable advice on dealing with critics or criticisms that came with his decision to run for the Manila mayoralty seat in the 2025 midterm elections.
“You know naman I'm very used to it,” said Rhian. “I've seen it at a very young age. I know what trolls and bashers can do to your truth and self-esteem. Most of the time, the advice is ‘wag pansinin. ‘Pag medyo foul though, if you need an example of what not to do, then you have to do it.”
Meanwhile, the celeb couple couldn't avoid questions about whether they've already talked about the “future” of their three-year relationship.
Sam admitted, “Of course, we’ve talked about it because we're both of the age na talagang mature na. Kung naiisip mo yung future ng bansa mo, siempre naiisip mo rin yung future ng relationship niyo, that's part of the growth. Kelangan nonstop yung improvement and yung pagpaplano. And malapit na yung mga pinaplano namin.”
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