Jeric Gonzales says he’s happy for ex Rabiya Mateo, denies producer rumors

• Jeric Gonzales said he has no ill feelings toward ex-girlfriend Rabiya Mateo, who is now dating Jake Cuenca
• The actor described learning about Rabiya’s new relationship as awkward but said he eventually realized he should be happy for her
• Jeric denied rumors linking him romantically to a female producer, saying their relationship is strictly professional
• The Sparkle actor said he is currently single and has no remaining “hugot” for his former girlfriend

Jeric Gonzales has addressed his former relationship with Rabiya Mateo and denied rumors connecting him romantically to a female producer, saying he is currently single and wishes his ex well.

The actor discussed the two issues during his guest appearance on “Fast Talk With Boy Abunda” on Thursday, where he appeared alongside fellow “Protege” Season 2 winner Thea Tolentino.

Jeric was asked about his reaction after learning that Rabiya, his former girlfriend, had entered a new relationship with actor Jake Cuenca. He admitted that the situation initially felt uncomfortable.

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"At first, honestly, I don't know what to feel kasi it’s awkward na your ex is nagkaroon na ng bago. Ganu’n talaga siguro ‘yung feeling,” sabi ng aktor.

Despite the initial awkwardness, Jeric said he eventually came to terms with the situation and remained supportive of Rabiya. He also described their current relationship as cordial despite no longer being as close as they once were.

"Pero I realized na I should be happy for her. I mean, we ended good naman. We're friends, I mean, not friends-friends, pero we’re good friends na we can reach out to each other everytime na kailangan namin," dagdag niya.

During the interview’s Fast Talk segment, Jeric answered “No” when asked if he still had any “hugot” for Rabiya.

The actor also directly addressed speculation involving a woman producer whose identity he did not disclose. Jeric rejected the rumors and emphasized that their connection is work-related.

"Tito Boy, this is the first time I'm speaking about this. But it's not true. Our producer is a family-oriented and very private person. She's my producer, so our relationship is purely professional," sabi niya.

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He explained that the speculation stemmed from a viral video that viewers allegedly misunderstood.

"Someone happened to record us, and it was misinterpreted. In the video, I was singing and she appeared to be hugging me. She was simply happy and enjoying the moment," sabi niya.

Jeric and Rabiya confirmed their relationship in March 2022 before having an on-and-off romance. Rabiya announced in September 2025 that she was single, while Jake confirmed his relationship with her during a “Fast Talk” interview last May.

Rabiya Mateo rose to prominence after being crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2020, launching a career that later expanded into acting and television. Since her pageant victory, she has become part of the Sparkle roster and has explored various opportunities in entertainment, including hosting and acting.

Jake Cuenca, meanwhile, has built a reputation for delivering intense and memorable performances. With more than 20 years in show business, he remains an established name in Philippine television and theater, earning recognition for his commitment to his roles.

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The couple recently appeared together at Miss Universe Philippines 2026, where they served as presenters. Their appearance onstage quickly caught the attention of fans and became one of the event's talked-about moments, further putting their relationship in the spotlight. Jake had earlier confirmed in March that he and Rabiya were exclusively dating, putting an end to speculation surrounding their romance. The relationship came after both had been linked to other personalities, with Jake previously dating Chie Filomeno and Rabiya having been in a relationship with Jeric Gonzales.

Their relationship also continued to generate attention online last month when the two exchanged playful remarks on social media. The interaction followed Jake's confirmation during Ogie Diaz's March 31 vlog that he and Rabiya were exclusively seeing each other. On April 2, Jake posted several photos from his South Korea trip, including scenic images captured along the Han River. Their public exchanges and appearances have since given fans glimpses of their playful dynamic as they become increasingly open about their relationship.

Source: KAMI.com.gh