'It's Valentine's Day whenever we like' - Rita Avila

Veteran actress Rita Avila may seem very intense and forceful on-screen but she confesses to being otherwise in real life. She admits to being very reserved, a quality that attracted her husband Director Erick Reyes to her.

“On the set, during the time he was directing me, he always sees me reading a book lang during the break, so na-impress siya… He likes daw intelligent women and simple women. He doesn’t like the maarte type,” shares .the Kapuso actress.

Married for 11 years, the two still sometimes act like a teenage couple with a lot of sweet gestures and all-out surprises for each other.

“Since he loves surprises, I always surprise him. He’s like a kid eh. When I tell him na I have a surprise for you at home, he's excited to go home.” 

Conversely, Direk Erick goes all out in making his wife happy. “[During one of my birthdays], he surprised me sa set. He brought siguro mga 30 gallons of ice cream, a bouquet and ten boxes of pizza. Parang he fed the entire crew,” says Rita about her thoughtful husband.

With such kind of relationship, Rita said that there is no longer a need to celebrate Valentine’s Day. “We both, not naman don’t believe, [pero] kasi parang for us, it’s Valentine’s Day whenever we like.” 

She confesses that she’s still smitten with her husband even if they’ve been together for a long time. “He’s so funny, he makes me laugh even in the middle of the night,” says the happily married actress.

Everyday also becomes something to look forward to. For Rita, there’s no need for a special occasion or a picturesque view. “[Everything] becomes nice when you’re with someone you love,” she added.

Although both their jobs require long hours, they make it a point to stay in touch. “It’s good to miss each other for a while. There are months when we’re so busy, [so] when we’re busy, phone calls become sweeter. 'Yung extra free day, he makes it a point to go out.” 

When asked what strengthens their relationship, Rita shares that maintaining it entails effort on both sides. “We accept each other’s imperfections… we support each other’s wishes. It’s just proper balance. Keeping love alive should take an effort.”

Watch Rita and the rest of the star-studded cast of Innamorata during weekdays in GMA Afternoon Prime.

-- Text by Meryl Ligunas, Photo by Elisa Aquino, GMANetwork.com