Sa panayam sa kaniya ni Karen Davila sa YouTube channel ng newscaster, inilahad ng Miss Universe 2018 queen na matapos ang apat na taon nilang relasyon, napagtanto umano ni Sam na hindi pa ito handa sa commitment na inakala niyang doon na sila patungo.
“There was a point in our relationship where I think he just realized that he wasn't ready to take it to the stage of commitment that we thought we were on. 'Cause he had proposed, and then a few months later realized that hindi pala siya ready. So that was very hurtful for me, and I was really blindsided at the time,” sabi ni Catriona.
Gayunman, sinabi ni Catriona na sinubukan niyang ayusin ang relasyon nila ni Sam at handa pa siyang mag-adjust, pero nagpasiya rin siya kalaunan na piliin ang kaniyang sarili.
“It got to a point na at that age, and what we've been through, kung hindi ka pa rin sure, I think that's an answer already,” sabi niya.
Dagdag ni Catriona, isa ito sa mga mahihirap na bagay na kailangan niyang gawin.
Sa huli, pinili niya ang kaniyang sarili, matapos nang magbigay nang maraming beses sa kanilang relasyon.
“And I don't look down on myself in that moment because I did it because I love the person. Pero at end of the day like if it's not a relationship that is giving two way, and also as a woman like I want to have a family, like I want to get married and I'd love to be a mom one day, and so I really want a partner who values me and and and sees that future with me too. Ayokong mag-wait around for someone to figure out.”
Sa kabila ng kanilang hiwalayan, kinumpirma ni Catriona na nagkikita pa sila ni Sam sa management events at nananatili silang civil.
“I think that heartbreak taught me a lot ‘cause I was really shattered and to navigate that publicly was really hard too,” anang beauty queen.
Ayon kay Catriona, bumubuti na ang kaniyang lagay ngayon, matapos sumailalim sa therapy ng dalawang taon.
“I became so close with my core group, my friends, my family in a way that I don't think I had before. So it's just been a really healing journey. I feel like I came back home to myself. So the version of me now, I'm the healthiest I've ever been. My relationships with the people around me are the richest they've ever been. And so in a way, I see the blessing in the hurt. And a year, two years ago, I couldn't even say that,” sabi pa niya.
Nananatiling positibo si Catriona pagdating sa pag-ibig, at inihayag na may dine-date na siya sa labas ng showbiz.
“I definitely believe in love. I think if you have a bad experience with a guy or two, you shouldn't allow that to reframe or change how you see love. 'Cause I think love is beautiful. And I feel like God's will for us is to find someone to be married with and to have love with. And so if it's not yet good, God's not yet finished,” sabi niya.
Inanunsyo nina Sam at Catriona ang kanilang relasyon noong 2020 at na-engaged noong 2023.
Noong 2024, napansin ng mapagmatiyag na netizens na hindi na suot-suot ni Catriona ang engagement ring sa kaniyang mga post.
Mas umugong pa ang mga usap-usapan tungkol sa kanilang hiwalayan nang i-delete na ni Catriona ang engagement photos nila ni Sam.
Kinumpirma ni Sam ang hiwalayan nila ni Catriona noong 2025. —Jamil Santos/ VAL GMA Integrated News
