The breakup list: Philippine showbiz couple separations that 'shookt' 2023

MANILA, Philippines — (UPDATED: December 24, 3:36 p.m.) 2023 would go down in history as among the years with the most celebrity breakups.

Philstar.com lists down the local showbiz couples that made headlines for breaking up or were rumored to have head to splitsville this year. 

Kathryn Bernardo, Daniel Padilla

This breakup broke the internet as the on- and off-cam couple announced their breakup in separate posts on November 30. 

"Deej, you gave me 11 beautiful years and the kind of love that I will forever cherish. I will always be grateful for you," Kathryn said. 

"Bal, ang pagmamahal ko sayo ay walang hanggan at walang katapusan," Daniel said.

Kim Chiu, Xian Lim

After weeks of speculation, Kim and Xian finally confirmed days shy of Christmas that they had ended their relationship that lasted nearly 12 years.

Veteran showbiz reporter Ogie Diaz previously reported that Kim and Xian were already separated for about two months now. 

Rumors of their split hit a high point when some internet users noticed Xian's YouTube channel was devoid of any content that features him and Kim.

Sarah Lahbati, Richard Gutierrez

From always sharing their babe time on social media, social media users noticed that Sarah and Richard do not post about being together anymore on Instagram, fueling a speculation of separation between the two.

Richard's mom Annabelle Rama revealed that her son has been living with her for a month now. His and Sarah's two children are also with him. 

Sarah, meanwhile, is now sporting short hair, alarming her fans about the breakup rumors.

"Embracing the stillness of time," she captioned her Instagram post with her new hair.

Andrea Brillantes, Ricci Rivero

The actress and the basketball star broke up last May. Ricci said that there were several factors that led to the breakup. 

"Marami na rin po kaming sinusubukang ayusin na problema. Personally, hindi naman siya sa may mali kasi ganito or may kasalanan or whatsoever. Siguro doon lang sa the way we are sa isa't isa," he claimed in an interview.

Ricci said that one of the causes of their breakup were speculations that a girl was always seen in his place. 

"'Yung cause ng break up was 'yung speculations, 'yung kumakalat sa social media, 'yung may nakita siyang girl doon sa place ko. Ilang beses naman po naming pinag-usapan 'to, as in sobrang daming beses na sinabi ko sa kanya with all the evidences I have, kasi may mga conversations, even with my friends na hindi po sa'kin 'yung girl," he said.

Ricci recently admitted his relationship with beauty queen-turned-politician Leren Bautista, while Andrea has been embroiled as among the allledged affairs that ended the romance between KathNiel.

Kris Aquino, Mark Leviste

The award-winning actress and TV host broke up once again with the Batangas vice governor last November. She said that she initiated the breakup. 

“A long distance relationship is difficult when undergoing very physically demanding treatments..." said Kris, who is still in the US for treatment of her autoimmune diseases.

"The truth is that I chose to lessen the stressors in my life and put my wellbeing first… on November 3, 2023, I initiated our breakup. It was a well thought out decision based on choosing to do what’s best for me now. I’m dealing with so much and my love life isn’t a priority,” she added. 

Miles Ocampo, Elijah Canlas

Elijah confirmed that he and Miles have broken up a couple of months ago.  

"We went through a rough patch recently mainly because we are going through our own stuff," he said. 

"We are okay, we are not mad at each other. I'm always gonna have love for her and support her with what she does but right now we are taking our time figuring things out," he said.

Yassi Pressman, Jon Semira

Yassi and Jon confirmed their breakup last August. 

In their respective Instagram accounts, Yassi and Jon posted the same statement. 

"After an amazing run, Yass and I have decided to part ways. We look to move on to our next phase in life in peace and with the support of our family and friends," Jon wrote. 

"It's been a while since the break up. It was a decision made from the both of us, and us only," he added.

Max Collins, Pancho Magno

Max confirmed in her interview with Boy Abunda that she and Pancho have separated. 

“I didn’t talk about it because siyempre, marami kaming pinagdaanan as a family that time because there was a pandemic, nanganak ako, my marriage was falling apart,” Max said. 

“I had to process everything, and I wanted to quiet the noise. I didn’t want to hear other people’s opinions, suggestions, comments because I mean, artista na po ako, ayaw ko namang gawing teleserye ‘yung buhay namin."

Cherry Pie Picache, Edu Manzano

Cherry Pie confirmed that she and Edu have broken up in an interview with the media on the sidelines of the Metro Manila Film Festival entry "Firefly." 

"Hindi ba sa edad kong ito ngayon, I cannot depend my happiness anymore on somebody else, hindi ba? Besides dapat din ay buo ako or whatever or kumpleto ako kung magmamahal ako — ulit," she said. 

"We are very good friends, he is a very good person. We are very good friends. We will always love each other, so 'yon... I think we are okay naman. I think we will always love each other and 'yun nga we are friends, we are good friends," she added.