Bangs Garcia on Phil Younghusband: We're dating

MANILA, Philippines — Bangs Garcia is "exclusively dating" football player Phil Younghusband.

"We are dating. We are exclusively dating," Bangs said in an interview with host Boy Abunda in "Aquino & Abunda Tonight" on Friday.

Although things are getting serious between them, she clarified that they're not yet together.

"Bago pa lang po kasi kami, we're still getting to know each other," she explained. "We started [going out] July. We've known each other since 2012, but have our own partners pa at that time."

The actress then had a relationship with non-showbiz guy, while Phil was with Angel Locsin.

Even though Phil came from a high profile relationship, Bangs said it doesn't bother her at all—not even the negative comments of Azkals players' fans who say they are not in favor of their relationship.

When asked what she likes most about Phil, Bangs said it was his dedication and love for his siblings, especially with his younger sister, Keri.

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"That's a very big thing for me, kasi I have a brother na may down syndrome. So I can really relate to him," she relates. "Siyempre wala na silang parents, so parang sila na tumatayong magulang ni James kay Keri.

"So sobrang ina-admire ko 'yon sa kanya, na sobra siyang mag-alaga kay Keri and gano'n din ako sa brother ko. Kahit kasama ko ang mom and dad ko, kapag kasama ko ang brother ko it's really different. Sobrang I treat my brother like it was the last day of my life."

Meanwhile, Bangs would like to veer away for a while from taking daring roles.

The 27-year-old actress said she would like to show people her "deeper side."

"I want them to see me more as a serious actress," she said.

Yet she was quick to clarify that her relationship with Phil has nothing to do with this decision. She is just happy to see him "supporting me with anything and everything that I do."

"He brings out the best in me [even] without saying anything. He inspires me to do the best things in my life," she adds, smiling.