or the very first time, young actor and TV host Dingdong Dantes finally admitted that he has a girlfriend. And the lucky girl is none other than young actress-singer Karylle. The admission of both Dingdong and Karylle happened during the grand press launch of GMA-7's newest and biggest telefantasya, Encantadia .

LET THE LOVE BEGIN

THE romance between Dingdong and Karylle began during a dance segment in the Sunday musical-variety show S.O.P , it all started with good-natured jokes and cajoling from everyone who saw and witnessed the surprise kiss that came at the end of the dance. Form then on, there has been a clamor from fans that Dingdong and Karylle be a love pair on S.O.P. The two were also paired during the 5 th season run of the youth drama series Love to Love , which eventually led to a movie, Bahay Ni Lola 2 , where the two spelled success at the box-office. These were signs that Dingdong and Karylle are already accepted by many people, be it on TV and movies.

But what's so surprising was the way Dingdong admitted that Karylle is his special girl. If we remember it right, Dingdong never admitted his relationship with any showbiz girl. The only showbiz girl that became closet to Dingdong's heart prior to Karylle was Antoinette Taus. Dingdong and Antoinette became a loveteam even after their team-up was dissolved. But Dingdong never admitted on TV that Antoinette became his girlfriend even though many could prove that the relationship existed.

But now that Dingdong finally opened up, many suspected that Karylle must be that special to Dingdong: that the young actor realized that Karylle could be the “one and only” girl for him to admit their relationship in public. Both Dingdong and Karylle just couldn't remember the exact date they officially became sweethearts. Yet the two couldn't care less about the date because both are happy that their relationship is working fantastically.

“Regarding the date, I really can't remember when,” says Dingdong. “I guess you have to ask Karylle about it because as far as I know, we're doing okay even if we've forgotten the exact date. We started out as friends before we came to this. I just hope and pray that we do well. We only want the best for each other.”

But later on, the two admitted that they officially became sweethearts last April 3.  

CHANGES IN LIFE

DINGDONG says that Karylle is his fifth girlfriend; the third girl from showbiz. And with his relationship with Karylle, Dingdong felt some changes in his life. He is proud to say that Karylle bought many changes with regards to his personality. One of which if that he now goes to church on a regular basis because of Karylle.

“There's have been times that I neglect going to church because of my workload,” he admits. “But with Karylle, she's really devoted in going to church on Sundays even if she's tired from work. I always accompany her to church and it has really made me a regular churchgoer since then. That's just one of the things that Karylle changed in my life and I'm happy that she did.”

Is Karylle the ideal girlfriend that Dingdong has been waiting for?

“Ideal? Siguro nga. Well, maybe because if she' isn't the girl I'm serious with, I wouldn't bother admitting our relationship on TV. But don't get me wrong because many girls who became close to me are all ideal for me. They may have different characteristics but they can be special in so many ways. Karylle has her own special charm that many haven't seen yet.”

But are the rumors true that Karylle's dad (Dr. Modesto Tatlonghari ) is not impressed with Dingdong and does not agree of his daughter's relationship with him?

“I don't know about Karylle's dad if that's true. I met him already and he's nice to me. He's very formal because he takes good care of Karylle. Si Tita Zsa Zsa ( Padilla , Karylle's mom) naman, she's okay from the start. She and Karylle don't look like mother and daughter at all. They look a lot like sisters!

“Sa pagkakaalam ko, I have no problems with Karylle's parents because they showed acceptance when I first met them. I promise them that I will love and take care of Karylle, the same way they did.”

THE RIGHT MAN

AS for Karylle, she's not a neophyte when it comes to love. Yes, she has been in love before but she was always looking for the right man. Someone whom she could always count on and be an inspiration, too. She found that man in Dingdong.

“At first, kami naman ni Dong, we're like aloof with each other,” she recalls. “I remember the first time we did Love to Love , medyo may distansiya pa ako sa kanya. Maybe because I'm not that really into him. Nahihiya pa kasi ako sa kanya noon because ayoko ngang ma-issue ako. But when we got close on the set, that's when I saw the real Dingdong.

“He's very childlike. Mahilig sa biruan. He's funny and he can be serious at times. Ako kasi, I'm the serious type but I can also be funny lalo na when this person is someone that I like na. It just so happened that Dingdong came at the right time. Siguro nga it's what we call destiny.”

So can she says that Dingdong is the ideal boyfriend for her?

“I don't want to label it as ideal because that would be asking too much from him,” she smiles. “He's ideal in the sense that he makes me feel good about myself and vice versa. Our communication is always there and we don't try to impress each other. Kung ano kami, we show it. It may not be an easy thing for others pero that's how we are talaga.

“We're very open with each other. And we try to make this thing work. Open naman kami sa possibility that we can make mistakes or do something stupid. It's all there and acceptance lang naman ang kailangan to make it really work for us.”

Isn't she at all worried that the fans of Dingdong not accept her since they've been used to Antoinette as Dingdong's loveteam? After all, the two have been an item for such a long time before she came into the picture.

“Worried? Medyo because I know how the fans are. They can be possessive,” she says. “Minsan parang sila na ang nasusunod, ‘di ba? But as far as I know, may sarili na rin kaming fans ni Dong. They are always watching S.O.P. and they have been supporting out team-up. So I guess, meron namang ibang sumusuporta. But I wish that they too can support us as well." (Articles lifted from S Magazine) - -