Lovi Poe on Rumors She's Dating Jake Cuenca: "Wala muna"

Actor Jake Cuenca and actress Lovi Poe arrived at the press conference for YES! Magazine's 100 Most Beautiful Stars special together on July 2, PEP.ph reports.  Rumors that the My Neighbor, My Wife co-stars are dating have been going around, but in separate PEP.ph interviews, they both denied that their relationship had progressed to anything deeper than friendship.

"Good friends" is the term Lovi used to describe her relationship with Jake Cuenca. "Wala muna, hanggang ganito na lang muna," she is quoted as saying. "He’s also very focused and very passionate rin sa trabaho niya, which is a good thing para sa akin din (He's also very focused and very passionate about his job, which is also a good thing for me)." The star added that she was not yet ready to exclusively date anyone. "It’s not yet the right time for anyone naman."

Meanwhile, Jake also affirmed his close friendship with Lovi, but said that they're nothing more than just good friends. "Hindi ko naman dine-deny na nag-a-admire ako. Malaki ang admiration ko for Lovi Poe. I’ve worked with her, and I saw how great a person she is, how powerful as an actress she is. Of course, nakikita n’yo rin naman kung gaano siya kaganda. (I don't deny that I admire her. I have huge admiration for Lovi Poe. I've worked with her, and I saw how great a person she is, how powerful as an actress she is. Of course, you can also see how beautiful she is.)"

He also said that he had been very open about his love life in the past and that he was willing to reveal his relationship status in the future. "Kapag nagsalita ako, kapag girlfriend ko na," he said. "Mahirap din naman kapag dini-disclose mo sa lahat ng tao na nanliligaw ka. Pero 'tulad nga ng sinasabi ko, ever since, hindi naman ako nanliligaw. Nagsisimula talaga sa magkaibigan, ‘tapos gradual na lang na nangyayari. (I speak up only when the person is already my girlfriend. It's also difficult if you disclose to others that you're courting someone. But like I said before, ever since, I haven't courted anyone. It just starts out as friendship and gradually develops into something else.)"

The star also asked the media to "read between the lines," saying, "I'm happy now. Baka kapag in-announce ko na committed na ako kung kanino man, ibig sabihin, committed na talaga ko. (If I ever announce that I'm committed to anyone, it really means that I'm already committed.)"

Lovi and Jake will be working together on an indie film entitled Lihis, under the direction of Joel Lamangan.


(Photos courtesy of PEP.ph)