MANILA, Philippines -- Sarah Geronimo is not yet ready to fall in love again.
Sarah Geronimo. File photo
In a one-hour, uncut interview released online early this week, the Kapamilya star detailed her conditions before entering a relationship.
The interview, where she appeared alongside "It Takes a Man and a Woman" co-star John Lloyd Cruz, was first aired last month on the entertainment talk show "Showbiz Inside Report" as an 18-minute segment, but excluded parts where Geronimo talked about a "past relationship," which she referred to as "shallow."
Geronimo's mention of this "relationship" was prompted by "SIR" host Carmina Villaroel, who asked her "Paano mo alam pag in love ka? Nalalaman mo ba?"
The singer-actress paused to collect her thoughts, before answering: "Kasi ako po, dahil sa lack of interaction or experience talaga... Halimbawa, in love man ako sa isang tao, o kung sino man 'yung..."
Laughing, she continued, "Halimbawa, 'yung past relationship -- relationship talaga? -- sa Skype. Parang doon lang, parang ang babaw."
"Siguro [alam ko na in love ako] pag 'yung feeling na... alam mo 'yung feeling na hindi ka makahinga, hinahanap-hanap mo?" she said.
'Letting go'
Geronimo was previously romantically linked to actors Rayver Cruz and Gerald Anderson, who were both reported to have been "discouraged" to pursue the 24-year-old singer by the alleged disapproval of her parents.
The Kapamilya actress' mother, Divine, specifically became the target of criticisms following the supposed aborted romantic relationships of Geronimo.
Asked how she has learned over time to "let go," Geronimo credited her numerous experiences of having to do so.
"Siguro sa dami ng practice ko," she said, laughing. "Siguro sa daming beses ko na rin pong kailangan mag-let go, hindi lang sa love life, halimbawa sa proyekto like 'Sarah G Live,'" she said, referring to her self-titled concert TV show which ended early this year.
Nevertheless, Geronimo sees "letting go" as a way of determining the worth of certain individuals in her life.
"'Yung pagle-let go mo, doon mo makikita 'yung realization kung gaano ka-importante sa'yo ang isang tao, o ang isang bagay, kung ano talaga 'yung worth niya sa 'yo.
"Pwede kang mag-let go, pero doon mo makikita kung sino ang naiiba, parang ganoon," she said.
'The right me'
When prompted to complete the statement, "It takes a 'blank' for Sarah to fall in love," the singer-actress said she wants to be assured of the genuine affections of the man she will love, and that he is willing to "do anything for [her]."
"It takes a real man. And 'yung readiness, 'yung alam ko sa sarili ko na mahal ko 'tong taong 'to. At bago kita mahalin, I'll make sure na mahal mo talaga ako. Kailangan makita ko at maramdaman ko na gagawin mo ang lahat para sa akin," she said.
She also said she has realized that her parents have been "right" in giving her advice on getting into a relationship.
"[Na-realize] ko kung bakit patuloy akong sumusunod sa mga magulang ko, at patuloy kong nakikita na tama sila, kasi tama, na hindi siya, hindi man sila, hindi pa," she said.
Geronimo said she understands the risks of having her life revolve around one man, which is why she believes she still has to mature.
"Siguro hindi pa dumarating 'yung right me, 'yung pagma-mature ko po siguro, kailangan maging kumpleto muna ako na ako muna.
"Kasi ang tendency baka dumepende ako kung sino man 'yung magiging partner ko eh at pangit 'yon. Siya 'yung magiging mundo ko. Baka kung ano pa ang mangyari kung halimbawang iniwan na niya ako," she said.
