Karylle admits difficulty in maintaining friendship with ex-BF

With only a few days left before she takes center stage at Manny Pacquiao's anticipated boxing bout against Oscar de la Joya at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada on December 7, singer-actress Karylle is busy wrapping up pending commitments here in the country. Last night, November 26, Karylle attended the 21st Awit Awards held at the Eastwood Central Plaza in Libis, Quezon City, to participate in the tribute number given to this year's Dangal ng Musikang Pilipino Award recipient, Lea Salonga. Minutes before the performance, Karylle excitedly talked about her thoughts on the upcoming Pacquiao-Dela Joya match, where she will sing the Philippine National Anthem in front of a global audience. "It's a very big honor for me to do this," said Karylle. "Number one, siyempre I'm so proud na nakilala ko si Manny Pacquiao. Alam mo na nakakausap mo siya, na tinatanong niya ako nagpi-prepare ba ako, ‘yong mga ganung bagay, ipinagmamalaki ko ‘yan sa mga kaibigan ko. I'm very honored that he picked me." Making the event even more special for the singer is the fact that the sport means so much to her and her family. Karylle's grandfather, Carlos Padilla Jr., was a ring referee whose career took off enormously after officiating the $20-million world heavyweight championship match between legendary boxers Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier. The mammoth boxing event dubbed as the Thrilla in Manila was hosted by the Philippines and was held at the Araneta Coliseum on October 1, 1975. "This is something that connects me with my grandfather. ‘Yong great grandfather ko naman, isa siyang Olympic boxer. So, kahit papaano, I may not be on the ring like them or referee, but I'm gonna be there to sing," Karylle fondly said. FEELING MUCH BETTER. It is no secret that Karylle still nurses a broken heart following the collapse of her relationship with actor Dingdong Dantes. Karylle cited the upcoming boxing match as a big help in diverting her attention away from whatever emotional concern she's currently experiencing. Dingdong has been very vocal in expressing his desire to maintain a good friendship with Karylle. The daughter of singer Zsa Zsa Padilla, however, opted to be more pragmatic with the suggestion by saying, "Well, as of the moment, I don't think that's really possible, sadly." Building a solid friendship, of course, would take time and there's a proper time for it to happen as what she enthused: "Someday we will be friends and it will all work out." Incidentally, the two former lovers were together a few hours before Karylle graced the Awit Awards ceremony. Dingdong and Karylle personally attended a charity activity organized by the Kapuso Foundation for cancer patients. "It was very, very moving. We had a lot of guests that turned up. Actually kasi, Wednesday ngayon so a lot of my friends, they couldn't make it so I took a chance with people that I worked with. So, sabi ko, ang hirap mag-invite pero I'll try and ended up... We were about 70 volunteers in Time Zone and we had a lot of fun," she narrated eagerly. It was evident that Karylle would rather discuss the special event and its meaning than focus solely on Dingdong's presence during the occasion. She's definitely coping and feeling optimistic as she now moves to ABS-CBN. "Sometimes things happen, but it's really more of the way you look at things," Karylle reasoned out. "And you know, the blessings have been flowing in tremendously. There are two new endorsements on the way and they'll be out soon and a new record contract." - Philippine Entertainment Portal