MANILA, Philippines — Enzo Pineda: ‘Kami naman ni Michelle, alam naman namin yan na we wouldn’t be with each other if we don’t see ourselves in the long run. Right now, Michelle is still young, she has dreams that she wants to achieve. To be honest, ako naman anytime game ako (to settle down).’
Enzo Pineda is a picture of a man in love.
As he sat down with The STAR in an exclusive interview after he was named Best Supporting Actor at the 69th Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences Awards (FAMAS) last Dec. 12 for the film He Who Is Without Sin, he confessed he is ready to settle down with girlfriend Michelle Vito.
He “definitely” considered his relationship with Michelle as the most serious one, “Kami naman ni Michelle alam naman namin yan na we wouldn’t be with each other if we don’t see ourselves in the long run. Right now, Michelle is still young, may mga dreams pa siya na gustong i-achieve. To be honest, ako naman anytime ako game ako (to settle down),” said the 31-year-old actor.
He added, “But, of course, ang importante pa rin yung tamang moment. Hindi naman pwede porke’t game, game (right away), ‘di ‘ba. Dapat pinagiisipan yan ng mabuti. Pero ang importante solid yung relationship namin. I’m just really grateful to have Michelle talaga. Sana ganun din siya sa akin. Naks!”
Well, it seems like Michelle, 24, feels the same as she expressed through social media how proud she is for her “mahal.”
Enzo admitted Michelle is a proud girlfriend. “Nakaka-touch actually. Mas natutuwa pa nga ako na sobrang happy ng mga tao, ng mga mahal ko sa buhay. I think yun yung parang happier moments for me in winning this award. Hindi lang dahil nanalo ako pero yung nakikita ko yung mga tao sa paligid ko na masaya para sa akin. Actually, yun talaga yung nakakataba ng puso.”
“Kami naman ayaw naman namin ng issue or anything,” said Enzo when The STAR pointed out the happy and positive vibes they share on social media as a couple. “Or kung may problema man kami, we like to settle this privately as mature adults. To be honest, wala naman kaming problema.”
But, “Minsan lang na tampuhan namin na maaga akong nakakatulog or nakakatulog ako. Yun lang naman, the usual things, si Michelle kasi nocturnal siya. So, medyo late natutulog. Minsan hindi ako nakaka-catch up kasi maaga akong gumigising. Yun lang naman, mga small problems lang.”
The pair will be celebrating their second anniversary next year in February. Enzo looked back on how their “pandemic relationship” blossomed: “Naging kami nung February, bago mag-lockdown. After that, hindi na kami nagkita for six months. Buti naging kami muna (before lockdown).”
Good thing, they decided to be in a relationship early on. “Kasi kung nagsimula ang pandemic, ang hirap naman na wala kang kausap. Wala kang… sorry, kung wala kang love life,” shared Enzo.
“Parang ang sarap din naman na you have somebody to count on. At least hindi malamig ang lockdown, ‘di ‘ba,” he furthered.
Meanwhile, direk Jason Paul Laxamana’s He Who Is Without Sin (released last year) is about Martin, a broadcast journalist student who idolizes Lawrence (played by Enzo), a famous TV reporter. Dark secrets and ugly truths unfold after the two meet in the psychological drama.
In his Instagram, Enzo expressed his gratitude to FAMAS for believing in his talent. “My heart is filled with joy and gratitude. After 12 years in the industry, I finally have my first acting award,” he said.
“No man is an island. I wouldn’t be here right now if it wasn’t for the people who supported me since day one. First, I would like to thank God for He has blessed my life in so many ways. All the glory goes to him,” he continued.
He also thanked his family and Michelle, “Thank you for being there in my highs and lows. The love you guys give me is unparalleled. You are the five people in my life that I want to be the most proud of me.”
Enzo cited GMA 7 for the opportunity in the reality talent show StarStruck, where he won as a finalist in the fifth season in 2009, his current network ABS-CBN, and all the people who helped and supported his career.
“Last but not the least, this award is for all the dreamers out there fighting for their dreams. Don’t let the pandemic or any kind of challenge stop you from achieving your dreams. Your dreams are valid. If you put in the time, effort, dedication, faith, and prayers, anything is possible. Mabuhay ang pelikulang Pilipino,” he concluded.