READ: Ina Feleo on relationship with Italian fiancé: "Sobra niyang real"
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From being a stranger in showbiz, Ina said about her Italian fiancé, “Siya na yung number one fan ko.”
“The start was very cinematic. Pero 'yung actual relationship, sobra niyang totoo for me.”
This is how Ina Feleo described her relationship with her Italian fiancé, James Gerva.
In an interview with GMANetwork.com and other entertainment reporters, Ina admitted that she was initially hesitant to date a foreigner, whom she met during a short vacation in Venice with her mom, Laurice Guillen, and sister, Ana Feleo, four years ago.
Thanks to her mom, who greatly encouraged her to give James a chance.
Ina related, “Si Mommy kasi, I don't know, but she liked the feeling. Alam mo naman ang nanay, may vibe 'yan.
“At saka, si mommy naman, hindi naman nagkulang sa akin 'yan in the past kapag may dine-date ako na medyo shady or medyo ano… Kapag ano, nagsasabi naman 'yan na, 'O, mag-ingat ka sa mga ganito-ganyan.'
“Pero 'yung sa kanya [fiancé], in-encourage din niya ako kasi, at first, medyo kabado ako.
“First time ko kasi magde-date ng foreigner.
“E, sobrang comfort zone girl ako, kapag Filipino, alam ko 'yung kaugalian niyan at feeling ko mas malambing. But then, 'yun nga, I gave it a shot.
“Actually, para rin siyang Filipino. Malapit 'yung culture ng Italian at saka Filipino.”
Compared to her previous relationship, Ina thinks her relationship with James helped her become a better person.
“Sobra siyang okay, sobra niyang expressive,” she said.
“I think, 'yung nakatulong sa akin, kaya tumagal din 'yung relationship compared to my past, 'yung mas natuto akong mag-voice out ng sarili kong opinyon.
“Kasi, I'm the type na kapag may argument, parang tahimik na lang ako, magkukulong na lang sa loob, hindi nare-resolve masyado, tahimik lang.
“Pero siya, dahil Italiano, sinasabi niya rin, 'Tell me,' ganyan.
“Nagkaroon ng ganun and I got to know myself more in the relationship.
“Yun ang nagustuhan ko, hindi ako nawala.
“Hindi ako 'yung basta parang in love ako. Dito, sobra niyang real.”
Introducing James to showbiz
Ina said it took a while before her fiancé got used to her job as an actress.
Since James is non-showbiz, Ina was very conscious of her social media posts about her relationship with him.
“Siyempre, kasi ano naman siya, non-showbiz naman siya, so hindi ko rin…
“Kahit gustung-gusto ko i-post, iniingatan ko rin at saka paunti-unti lang.”
But since she announced their engagement, people got more curious about her Italian fiancé.
To which, Ina said, “Actually, ngayon pa lang nao-overwhelm na siya.
“Minsan pagtingin niya sa internet nandoon 'yung pangalan niya.
“'Tapos, alam mo 'yon, kapag minsan na-title or na-caption in such a way na… basta may mga ganun.”
The former The Better Woman actress said she always tries to explain to her fiancé the nature of her work.
“Sabi ko naman, hayaan mo lang kasi, siyempre, minsan kung paano nila na-take 'yung interview or 'di ka nila na-interview.
“Sabi ko, it's good kasi, at least, parang wine-welcome ka.”
Now, from being a stranger in showbiz, Ina said, “Siya na yung number one fan ko.”
She continued, “Super supportive niya. Parang, kunwari, I did OTJ with Direk Erik [Matti] and may sensitive scene…
“Ako, noong una, iniisip ko kung okay lang kaya [sa kanya].
“Pero siya yung, 'Gawin mo 'yan,' yung ganun. Very supportive siya.
“I'm lucky na ganun. Siyempre, ang laking bagay noon.
“Kahit kasal na kami, alam ko na I can still do whatever, kumbaga, kung ano yung ikagaganda rin ng body or work ko bilang artista.”
Wedding preparation
Ina and James still have a lot of time to prepare for their wedding in 2021.
JUST IN: Ina Feleo is engaged!
According to the Kapuso actress, they want the ceremony to be intimate.
“Well ako, gusto ko kasi 'yung simple lang. Ang intention ko is parang 100 guests or less.
“I think we're on the same boat, pero siya, I think, siya 'yung mas groomzilla sa aming dalawa.
“Kasi, mahilig siyang mag-plan ng parties and events. Ito, talagang to the details, siya talaga 'yung mas hands-on.”
She further described her dream wedding, “Gusto ko rin kasi na lahat ng touches, kami talaga. Then, the food would be mostly Italian, mga favorite dishes din talaga, may Filipino dishes din like lechon… yung mga nagustuhan namin sa isa't isang culture.
“The reception would be by the beach, so we would like the guests to come in a boat.
“Yung mga ganung details, na sa ngayon we're throwing ideas pa lang.”
The wedding will take place in San Vicente, Palawan, a place very dear to the couple.
“Kasi 'yun 'yung parang naging baby, e,” said Ina, who mentioned that her fiancé is planning to start a business in the area.
Ina said this is something her fiancé had planned even before they got engaged.
“He's doing it kasi alam niya ang nature ng work ko, na artista ako.
“Alam niyang hindi pwede na ako 'yung tumira doon [sa Italy].
“Like, pwede 'yung short periods of time pero my work is here.
"So, siya ang nag-adjust,” she smiled in conclusion.
