James’ ex-GF: It was a bad break-up

MANILA, Philippines - Before Nadine Lustre, his on-screen (but not yet off-screen?) sweetheart, there was a petite singer named Ericka Villongco in the life of James Reid.

“We went steady for more than three years and then we broke up,” confessed Ericka to Funfare during a one-on-one after the presscon proper yesterday for her younger sister Krissy’s Songs About You (released by MCA Music, Inc.), her first solo album. “It was a bad break-up,” added Ericka without saying why.

Krissy, 20, is more into singing while Ericka, at 21 only 10 months older than Krissy, is trying acting, initially in Relaks, It’s Only Pag-ibig (also starring Piolo Pascual’s son Iñigo) in which she plays kontrabida. As tandem singers, they are known simply as Krissy & Ericka who sang together on their first album, Hope For Humanity, which will be used as official theme for MCA Music’s efforts for the rehabilitation of the Typhoon Yolanda victims. The star-studded album features performances by more than 20 MCA OPM artists led by Krissy, including Sitti, Mitoy Yonting, Nyoy Volante, Klarisse de Guzman, Sabrina and The Voice Kids.

Songs About You is a compilation of Krissy’s own compositions uploaded on YouTube, most of which (especially 12:51) have attracted millions of hits.

“I will always be here for Krissy,” said Ericka, adding that she has no regrets over her and James’ break-up. “I just wish that we parted as friends, but we did not.”

The romance lasted for three years and a half, starting before the Fil-Australian James joined PBB (Pinoy Big Brother). She met James when he starred with the sisters for their first album’s music video.

“We started out as friends,” she recalled. “He was very honest. He has a unique style of courting, direct to the point, very honest.” They broke up last March at around the time James was being launched as Nadine’s teammate in Viva Films’ Diary ng Panget.

“No, there was no third party,” added Ericka. “James was loyal, he was faithful, very loving.” When she heard that James fell from the stage during the Cosmo bash, Ericka said that she was worried. “I was concerned. I’m glad he wasn’t hurt so badly.”

Ericka admitted that she and Nadine are friends.

“Nadine is very lovely, down-to-earth,” said Ericka. “After I broke up with James, we even talked. She told me, ‘I’m here for you.’ I’m happy for her team-up with James.”

Meanwhile, Krissy’s love life is going great. She has been going steady with Marvin Kiefer (the guy in Survivor Philippines) for six months now.