After their breakup — which lasted only for a week — Rabiya Mateo and boyfriend Jeric Gonzales are keeping their love for each other stronger, and it seems like the couple is already discussing future plans.
In any serious relationship, there will naturally come a time when a couple will have to talk about settling down. Jeric was first to admit that he and Rabiya have already been discussing marriage, a subject that couples touch on, especially when they are looking forward to being together for a lifetime.
“Yes, Tito Boy, actually we’ve been talking about it,” Jeric responded when I asked if they’ve been talking about marriage.
“I’m already in my 30s (he turned 31 last Aug. 7), so I’m looking forward (to it) because I feel this is the time when you want to make it happen. Perhaps, two years or a year from now, at siya gusto rin naman n’ya,” he added.
Rabiya mentioned in our previous interview that she’s ready to settle down, after being able to fulfill her dreams for her family. And now that Jeric has revealed that he’s equally ready to take their relationship to the next level, the Miss Universe Philippines 2020 emphasized that they both need to be ready.
“We have an understanding but we have to consider that we have to be financially and emotionally stable first because it’s a big responsibility — from being single to being married — so we have to be prepared,” the beauty queen-actress said.
Jeric declared that he is also looking forward to fatherhood. “At my age now, Tito Boy, I’ve been thinking about becoming a father, so I’m really looking forward to that day.”
It can be recalled that Jeric and Rabiya met on the set of Wish Ko Lang in November of 2021. The following month, rumors began flying in the gossip mill that the two were in a romantic relationship after they were spotted getting cozy at an amusement park in Sta. Rosa, Laguna. Both confirmed their romance in March of last year through a series of posts on their respective social media accounts.
Their reported breakup was merely due to misunderstanding and they got back together again after a week. In the few days that they were not together, Rabiya realized that life is tough without Jeric.
“Alam mo, Tito Boy, noong ako lang mag-isa, mas hirap ako noong wala siya, parang mas okey na lang na kainin ko ‘yung pride ko, to learn to understand, than to live without him. And that’s when I realized that we need to give this relationship a second time at hindi ko siya pinagsisihan,” Rabiya said.
Visibly delighted by Rabiya’s statement, Jeric said, “Thank you, hindi mo pinagsisihan at ako naman ang realization ko dito, I’ve had many relationships in the past, but this one is worth fighting for because when we separated, hindi ko s’ya natiis. For me, that’s true love.”
Indeed, love is sweeter the second time around. It was all over the social media when Rabiya recently surprised Jeric who flew in from a work trip in Siquijor. The video showed Rabiya running to Jeric at the airport with a bouquet of flowers and a poster with a handwritten message, “Welcome home, baby boy! Congratulations!”
“I was only gone for five days,” Jeric amusingly recalled and added that he did the same thing to his girlfriend when she came home from an out-of-town work.
In terms of career as Sparkle GMA artists, Jeric and Rabiya are grateful for all the work that they have.
“We’re both doing very well,” Rabiya shared. “We have different commitments because we do not work as a loveteam and I think that’s the beauty in it – we work individually and we get to enjoy each other’s company outside of work. Since hindi kami magkasama sa work, ‘pag dating sa bahay, siya ‘yung pahinga ko.”
Jeric agreed and casually added how Rabiya is for him, “Sa kanya ako napapagod, hahahaha.”
However, Jeric certainly knows how to make his girlfriend feel extra special when he said, “I promise to you, Babe, that I will be by your side no matter what happens – even if we get poor, even if we lose our money, our job. And even when you get fat or ugly, I will still love you.”
Rabiya is one lucky girl. Jeric sure knows what it’s really like to care about someone.