Kylie Verzosa opens up about ‘good, not failed, relationship’ with Jake Cuenca

For Kylie Verzosa, her romantic relationship with Jake Cuenca led to a breakup not because it didn’t work out but instead, according to her, “it ended.”

The beauty queen-turned-actress began opening up on her previous relationship when asked about the things that hurt her during our one-on-one interview for

Batalk Channel’s The Interviewer Presents on YouTube.

“Heartbreak and when I don’t get the things I want even when I try so hard at hindi ko s’ya makuha,” she said.

She further explained that it’s painful not being able to realize a dream “but I always think that God just redirects you to another path if it’s not meant for you.”

She mentioned heartbreak which she found so hard to talk about. Nevertheless, Kylie said, “Ang tagal ko na siyang hindi nababalikan. Siguro, it’s been six months. It’s hard. I’m happy where I am now.”

Kylie was obviously pertaining to her breakup with Jake. But contrary to what she’s been hearing from people that it was a failed relationship, Kylie believes that what they had was beautiful as they both learned from the relationship.

“I wouldn’t want to call it na it didn’t work out, no. Maybe it ended. I hear from people that it’s a failed relationship, na it didn’t work out, pero hindi ko siya kino-consider na ganoon.

“We both benefited from the relationship. I think it was a good relationship and we learned from it. We became better people. I believe that who we are today is a contribution of that relationship. We were different people when we started the relationship and when we ended the relationship. I believe that we’ve become better people.”

It was in 2019 when Kylie and Jake confirmed their relationship. But in April of last year, Jake took to Instagram to announce their separation after being together for three years.

Kylie confessed that their decision to part ways came after a long process. “It was not immediate but it was more of me who saw it coming. We both came to terms with it eventually.”
As to the reason for the breakup, Kylie said, “No one knows, Tito Boy. To be honest, I prefer to keep it that way because I wanna keep our relationship in the past and what we had was beautiful. I wanna keep it that way. I don’t wanna tarnish anyone’s name and I don’t wanna destroy anything pero it would be something between just the both of us.”

These days, Kylie is busy with acting projects following her Best Actress win at the 2022 Distinctive International Arab Festivals Awards (DIAFA) for her performance in the movie The Housemaid. She shared on her Instagram a video of herself receiving the trophy during the awarding ceremonies held in Dubai last November.

“I didn’t expect much when I went to Dubai and the Best Actress award, I didn’t expect it because I know marami pang deserving. It’s hard to process, it’s so surreal being on stage, being in front of so many people from Hollywood — people I’ve seen on TV like Steven Seagal,” gushed Kylie, who added that The Housemaid, the Filipino adaptation of the 2010 Korean film of the same title, was her first lead role.

Here are excerpts from our exclusive interview:

What are you like when you’re alone?

“(I’m) very quiet. I enjoy my alone time. I enjoy my solitude, dito ako nag-aaral. I love taking down notes, I love writing and my condo is filled with books. I enjoy having my own time.”

What makes you happy?

“When I’m just myself. When I’m at peace with myself. When I’m with good company. When I get to do the things I wanna do and when I enjoy the things that I like doing.”

What don’t you know about love now?

“So many things, Tito Boy. After the breakup, I learned so much about love na it shouldn’t only be this way and my world and my perspective broadened as a person.

Ang dami kong nakita as I’ve been traveling a lot, so you know, talking to people of different cultures, of being exposed to different people just widened my perspective about love and I realized that I don’t know so many things about love. But I love being in love, super.”

Does it mean regardless of the pain, regardless of that love ending?

“Right now, I’m not ready for it. I said I love love but I’m not ready for it. Maybe not in a few months, not in a year. I don’t know.”

What can’t you forgive?

“When I don’t do my best in anything. I’m the type of person na binibigay ko lahat 100 percent — from the smallest things to making sure this is right. I’m so meticulous to a certain point na medyo perfectionist.”

But that can get you into trouble when things go wrong.

“Yes. Recently, I’ve been more aware of it so I’ve learned to let things go more.”

What can’t you forget?

“Pain.”

Do you remember that as a person or as an actor?

“Both.”

But how useful is that to you as an actor?

“So useful, Tito Boy. I think love and pain are the most useful things an actor can have and I use that (pain).”

What is it like to win?

“So surreal, so kalmado, lahat, you know everything just feels right. I just feel so much gratitude.”
What is the best thing about Kylie?

“I would say I’m a go-getter and I would say I work hard. I don’t dwell so much on the past. I always look forward and I try to make smart decisions.”

And don’t forget the now.

“Right now, especially now that I’ve learned to have fun and let go, I just enjoy the moment so recently, Tito Boy, i-ne-enjoy ko lang lahat.”

What are you doing now as an actor?

“I’m shooting a series for Amazon Prime and I just finished shooting a movie called Baby Boy, Baby Girl with Marco Gumabao, written and directed by JP Laxamana.

“It’s funny na lahat ng mabibigat na roles nagawa ko na in my first few years (in show business) and it’s only now that I get to do light roles so this is my first rom-com film. To be honest, my personality is closer to a rom-com than a thriller (laughs).”

I know you are not ready to fall in love again, you’re not ready for another relationship pero katuwaan lang, what is that face and body like?

“Gusto ko medyo mixed (-blood), Tito Boy because I like different cultures. I would prefer European but I still need a Pinoy heart.”

That’s a fantastic combination.

“And someone fun to be with.”

What is the world like for you now?

“I used to think it’s always, you know, fun, unicorns and rainbows. Perhaps, as I mature, I just try to keep the world to myself and I try to move within the confines of what I can do. I try to let go and I try to just control the things I can.”

What is life like now?

“It’s amazing.”

What is it like to be a child of God?

“I think He’s always in me. I think He always guides me. I think as much as you’re connected to Him, palagi ka N’yang babantayan.”

What are you like as a lover?

“I give everything, Tito Boy, to the point na hindi na ko nakikita ang mga kaibigan ko. I guess, him first and then everything else.”
What are you like when you’re bad?

“Very bad, hahahaha.”

What are you like when you are mad?

“I’m very quiet.”

What is your love language?

“Words.”

What about your hate language?

“Silence.”

Kylie, what now?

“I’m moving on, Tito Boy. I wanna aim for bigger things. I know that’s not the end but that’s just the beginning.

What is beauty?

“It’s when you’re happy with yourself. It’s the inner confidence.”