Janine Tugonon leaving the PHL for good, explains breakup with BF

MANILA, Philippines - Miss Universe 2012 first runner-up Janine Tugonon revealed she is leaving the Philippines for the United States to study.

“Ever since, I really want to study abroad. And it’s just that this time, may opportunity na talaga and I can study na talaga,” she said in an interview with ABS-CBN’s showbiz talk show “The Buzz” on Sunday, August 25.

The beauty queen added that while she will occasionally return to the country for work-related contractual obligations, Janine said she will stay in the US for good.

“At the same time, I want to try other things doon,” she said.

A bigger story

This comes months after Janine was bashed and criticized after appearing on ABS-CBN morning talk show “Kris TV” with ex-boyfriend Jaypee Santos. On the said episode, Janine revealed she and Jaypee have broken up and that she communicated with The Script frontman Danny O’Donoghue after meeting him during the band’s Manila concert earlier this year.

Related story: Netizens throw mixed reactions on Tugonon's breakup with BF

The 23-year-old 2012 Miss Universe-Philippines admitted that she was attracted to Danny. However, she added nothing romantic went on between them. Janine also said The Script fronman was not the reason of her breakup with Jaypee.

“I kept quiet because during that time, there’s nothing I can say that can actually change what people think,” she said. “Sa akin kasi, I think I was misunderstood. Parang iba yung na-perceive ng tao.”

Janine added, “The truth is, there’s a bigger story behind that breakup.”

“Kaming dalawa yung involved doon, eh. May dahilan pa. Before the concert, before everything popped out — hindi lang yun ang story,” she said.

However, Janine said she apologized to Jaypee over the controversy caused by their “Kris TV” guest appearance.

Love is a decision

Meanwhile, in the same interview, Janine said she is not dating GMA-7 actor Benjamin Alves, weeks after the two were seen together at a showbiz event.

“Hindi ko po siya boyfriend. We’re not even dating,” he said. “Benjamin Alves is a good friend of mine. People see us outside because we go to the same church. We eat usually after the church with other friends.”

What has Janine learned from all the issues she has faced this year?

“Love is a decision,” she said. “It is a commitment and it’s a decision. I grew up thinking na it’s a meant to be thing, it’s a soul mate thing. No it’s not. It’s a decision from the very beginning.”