Coleen Garcia and Ryza Cenon have differing views on the common notion that women are more likely to end a relationship than men. Some even say that it’s the woman who is always creating an opportunity to build intimacy rather than shutting it down. And so, when a woman gives up on love, there is definitely no turning back.
“It’s not fair to say that it’s the woman who is handling or managing a relationship. I think it’s a two-way thing. Kailangan pareho talaga kayo,” began Coleen, who has been married to singer-actor Billy Crawford for five years now.
“I’ve seen so many couples survive a lot of different problems like, for example, cheating. If that happens to me, I’ll definitely walk away. But I’ve seen couples survive that. It just all boils down to the fact on how the two of them are willing to work on their problems and if they’re willing to compromise with each other,” she added.
She believes couples can address issues by making an effort to resolve them together.
“Whatever it is that a couple is going through — whether big or small — can break a relationship if they are not both willing to work things together. So, at the end of the day, you, guys, should be willing to work things through,” she said.
Ryza, on the other hand, shared that the only time she will give up on a relationship is when she’s already fed up.
“In a relationship, ako ‘yung bigay ng bigay hanggang sa mapuno na ako. ‘Pag sinabi ko na ayaw ko na, ayaw ko na talaga. There is no turning back, especially when I caught him cheating because I don’t think I can have peace of mind if I give him a second chance. Iisipin ko nambababae pa kahit hindi naman. That’s why, it’s really important not to break one’s trust. Kapag nasira ‘yun, parang hindi na mag-wo-work (yung relationship),” declared Ryza.
Apart from cheating, Coleen will also walk away from an abusive partner. “I will definitely walk away. I will not tolerate it,” she firmly stated.
Coleen admitted there were times when she wanted to give up, not on love, but on her personal goals that she deemed she could no longer achieve. Good thing, Billy would always motivate her to do her best.
“Actually, madalas po akong sumuko dati — from career to personal relationships. Perhaps, I only learned not to give up easily when I got married and had a baby (Amari) because I learned to value commitment. Although there are still limitations, I can say that this is the time when I’ve been trying my best not to give up,” she shared.
“Billy is my rock. At times when I really want to give up, he grounds me. It’s not only in a (romantic) relationship that one feels like giving up. Like me, there are personal goals and dreams that I want to give up,” she continued.
“But Billy is always there to push me. He would remind me to just continue. Sometimes, you need that kind of person because I don’t know what I would be if I’m still that person na palasuko. Ang laking tulong na ganoon si Billy.”
Ryza said various life challenges can sometimes make anyone think about giving up, especially when one could no longer bear the burden.
“Even I experienced that feeling of wanting to give up — whether personal (issues) or career — but I chose to rely on God. Kumakapit lang po ako kay God para lumakas ‘yung loob ko,” said Ryza, a doting mom to her and cinematographer partner Miguel Antonio Cruz’s son Night. “So far, I don’t feel any regrets on matters that I decided to give up in the past. I analyze things carefully before I make a move.”
Coleen and Ryza will soon be working with Carlo Aquino, Jerome Ponce, Kiko Estrada and Rhen Escaño in Kung Hindi Lang Tayo Sumuko. The six-part series, based on the best-selling book of poems by Marcelo Santos III released in 2019, will be filmed in Pampanga and directed by Carlo Enciso Catu. It is scheduled to stream on Viva One in September.