Camp Sawi: Robi, Daniel, Gab, Arci on mending broken hearts

MANILA, Philippines — Where do broken hearts go?

After coming from Splitsville, TV host Robi Domingo, actors Daniel Matsunaga and Arci Muñoz, and performer Gab Valenciano only have one destination and it is not Camp Sawi, the title of a recent Filipino movie referring to an imaginary place where the broken hearted head to vent out their pain. All four of them try to heal themselves by getting busy with their new reality TV show, “I Can Do That!”

Getchen Ho and Robi Domingo Philstar.com/File

Robi Domingo on his split with host Gretchen Ho

“I’m hurting, but I have to,” he said when asked if in moving on, he could also exclaim, “I Can Do That!”

“With all the things that happened, kailangan talaga mag-move forward eh, kasi there’s no room for sadness. There’s no time to be sad. I have a fair share of my sadness. Na-hurt ako, sobra. Kahit now, I’m hurting. Pero kailangan ko mag-focus kasi I’ve got lots on my plate at nandito na ‘yung opportunity. Tagal kong hinintay ‘yung pagkakataon na ‘to (hosting “I Can Do That!”).”

“With all the things that happened, I can do that because I have to!”

Early this week, Robi and Gretchen released a joint statement on social media that they are ending their relationship to focus on their careers. “There is no third party” involved, the two stressed.

They said, however, that they are still open for each other in the future.

In a recorded interview of ABS-CBN on Thursday, Robi refused to disclose the date of their breakup but said that it was a mutual decision. He reiterated that the reason for their split was already stated on their mutual statement.

Robi said that they just talked about the break up and there was no one who initiated their separation.

"What happened to us [was in] the statement that we released last night," he said, adding that their relationship has no time to grow.

Asked if they lacked time for each other, Robi nodded.

Robi also cleared rumors that he is currently dating Korean actress, model and singer, Sandara Park. He said they are just friends and sought respect for her.

Meanwhile, Robi said what is good about their breakup is their doors remain open for each other. He however, admitted that he is still hurting from the split.

"'Di kami bitter sa isa’t isa," Robi said.

"On my end, I’m still hurting. I’m still sad because of what happened but sana maayos kasi she's (Gretchen) really a great person," he added.

For Robi, the three-month rule doesn’t apply to him.

The celebrity couple’s breakup rumors sparked after Gretchen posted a photo of her with a shorter hair during the New Year. Gretchen last week told her fans to stop believing everything they read or hear and promised to clarify it soon enough.

Better days: Daniel Matsunaga and Erich Gonzales at the Star Magic Ball red carpet. Philstar.com/File

Daniel Matsunaga on ex-girlfriend Erich Gonzales

“Syempre po mahirap lahat ng pinagdadaanan ko. Syempre, I love the person,” Daniel said of his fellow actor and former lover.

“It’s just sad that so many people were affected. Even families were affected. Mahirap din mag-show (ng happiness) at this time, pero siguro at this time, siguro mag-fofocus muna ako dito sa trabaho ko na and sa career ko muna and family.”

After the “I Can Do That!” press conference, he evaded personal interviews and exited as fast as he could.

Besides his heart, his forehead was also scarred as it was hit by the props he was required to use for an act in “I Can Do That!”

Gab Valenciano and Tricia Centenera on their wedding day. Philstar.com/File

Gab Valenciano on TV personality Tricia Centenera

According to Gary Valenciano’s son, he and estranged wife, Tricia, already came up with an agreement and the legalities of their separation will probably be finalized next month. It can be recalled that the two separated due to Gab’s alleged infidelity.

“No, she doesn’t need to make paalam to me. If Tricia starts seeing someone and she sees him as a lifetime partner, ako ‘yung pinaka-unang mag-cocongratulate sa kanya,” Gab assured.

What can he say to those also facing challenges like a broken marriage?

“My advice will be two things lang – to surround yourself with family, your closest friends, and number two is to pray. That’s the only thing that got me through it. And of course, you just be quiet. Kasi talking about it will not get you anywhere. Kung baga, you’ll just dwell on it eh. Just surround yourself with positive people, don’t be alone, and always try to make yourself busy. ‘Yung ang ginawa ko. So, ‘yung mga kaibigan ko natutulog sa bahay ko, ako natutulog sa bahay ng mga kaibigan ko, even if I have work the next day. So it helped me with the process of healing.”

But he is not in pain only because of his marital crisis. He also has a difficulty gripping things due to a very arduous preparation for the second episode of “I Can Do That!”

He admitted that he thought he was prepared enough to face any challenge as he grew up in a performing family and his daddy is a perfectionist, but the challenges in “I Can Do That!” are nothing that he has ever tried before.

Arci Muñoz and then boyfriend Badi del Rosario Philstar.com/File

Arci Muñoz on her non-showbiz ex-boyfriend

“Camp Sawi kami dito, lahat kami single halos!” Arci declared, referring to her “I Can Do That!” co-stars who have also recently called it quits with their loved ones. Arci starred in the movie “Camp Sawi” together with Yassi Pressman, Bela Padilla, Andi Eigenmann and Kim Molina.

Since Arci’s soap opera with Jericho Rosales ended last January, she has not taken a break in show business because work, she said, makes her forget her failed relationship with the son of Brunei's Prince Jefri Bolkiah, local rock artist Badi del Rosario.

“Ayaw ko lang talaga mabakante,” said the rocker-actress, who will be doing her second movie with Gerald Anderson. She denied that her ex-beau was jealous of Gerald.

There was no third party involved and her ex-boyfriend was very understanding, she reiterated. Though her ex has “friend-zoned” her, they continue to speak to each other.

Their relationship, however, was not like it was before. As she confided: “Iba na rin talaga, ‘di na tulad nung dati.”

Not having time for each other was really the culprit of their breakup, she said.

“Lagi naming tina-try (ayusin), pero hirap talaga ipilit kung ‘di na nagwo-work e… Siguro sobrang tagal na lang talaga,” she said of their four-year romance.

She said she has suitors, but she is not entertaining them. She is not ready to love again because as she admitted, “’Di pa ko nakakapag-move on.”

“I’m just keeping myself busy, but I’m still hurting,” she noted.

Although her last relationship did not work, she has no regrets. “Wala naman talagang regrets kasi right now, I’m just really setting up my priorities. Ito siguro muna ang gusto ni God, na mag-focus muna ako sa work.”

Nonetheless, she still hopes for a second chance. “Kasi mahal mo pa rin naman talaga ‘yung tao kahit ‘di na kayo magkasama…Kasi kaya naman po talaga pagsabayin, madami lang talagang naging factor, ‘di lang time.”

But Arci’s heart is not the only one injured. She now finds it hard to walk as she got sprained while doing a water sport.

“Our training in the show is really hard. ‘Di po ako athletic. Lampa po ako at sobrang accident-prone, but I try to be careful,” Arci said.

Love doctors

Pokwang, Cristine Reyes, and Alex Gonzaga, who have blossoming romances, are ready to give a hug for their physically and romantically hurting co-stars.

Pokwang and Cristine have also cried a lot, but this time, not because of love life, but due to the physically demanding tasks they have to finish for the show.

“Ang gusto ko talaga, habang dumadagdag ang edad mo, pabata nang pabata ang ginagawa mo. Kung baga kung kaya nila, kaya ko rin ‘yan!” said Pokwang, who, despite of being the oldest in the batch and being discouraged by her American boyfriend from joining the show, still went for it.

She added: “Habang walang dugo, I can do that! ‘Pag may dugo, I can’t promise!”

The cast of "I Can Do That!" (from left): Hosts Robi Domingo and Alex Gonzaga; and I CANdidates Cristine Reyes, Gab Valenciano, Arci Muñoz, Pokwang, Daniel Matsunaga, Wacky Kiray, JC Santos, and Sue Ramirez. ABS-CBN/Released

Eight Kapamilya idols will show their grit and prove they can do anything to entertain viewers in the newest talent-reality show “I Can Do That,” which premieres on March 11 on ABS-CBN.

The show will test the will and imagination of “I CANdidates,” including actress and jiu jitsu enthusiast Cristine Reyes; actress and in-demand cover girl Arci Muñoz; singer-actress Sue Ramirez; and host-comedienne Pokwang, as they perform unique talents that could be hilarious, nerve-wracking, or simply extraordinary.

Also not backing down from any challenge are theater actor and TV heartthrob JC Santos; dancer-performer Gab Valenciano; comedian Wacky Kiray; and model-actor and footballer Daniel Matsunaga. The Philippine version of “I Can Do That” will be hosted by Robi Domingo and Alex Gonzaga.

Every week, the I CANdidates will perform extraordinary acts in pairs. The fun begins when different groups of professional performers demonstrate a variety of acts that I CANdidates have never done before.

If the I CANdidates think they can do a certain act, they will make their way down the stairs towards the performers. The first to reach the fourth and last step will be locked in to perform the act and will get to choose the I CANdidate who he or she believes will help him or her give a winning performance.

Given only one week to practice, the I CANdidates should be able to perform their assigned act and entertain the audience. The weekly winner will be determined based on the combined scores culled from the scores given individually by the I CANdidates and the extra points granted to the winner of the audience vote.

So far, the rehearsals have immensely challenged the I CANdidates physically and emotionally.  

“I Can Do That” was developed by Israel’s Armoza Formats, with local versions in 20 countries, including the United States, which named singer Nicole Scherzinger as its first “Greatest Entertainer.”

— Reports from Rosette Adel