Robi quashes third party rumor in split with Gretchen

TV host Robin Domingo denied his alleged romantic involvement with singer Sandara Park caused his break-up with girlfriend Gretchen Ho.

“I don’t know (why she’s being linked to me). We are food friends. Kung anuman ang marinig ninyo (about us), it’s not true,” Robi said in an interview.

Almost pleading, he said of Sandara, “Let’s give the respect that she deserves. She has given honor sa atin kahit nasa ibang bansa siya. I think ’yun ang kailangan nating ibigay sa kanya.

“At the same time, ibigay natin ang respetong kailangan natin ibigay kay Gretchen kasi she’s one great person.”

Sandara has not addressed the issued as of this writing.

Robi and Gretchen, in a joint statement released Wed, confirmed they have ended their three-year romance.

“There is too much happening for the both of us right now. We have to focus on our careers. There is no appropriate time yet for a relationship to grow. But we’re not closing our doors on each other in the future,” the ex-couple’s statement read.

When cornered after the presscon for his latest show, “I Can Do That,” Robi shared they both love their careers.

“What happened to us is ’yun. Sa statements na ini-release namin, so much is going on. Ang dami niyang projects in the news department, sports and action. Ako I have this (‘I Can Do That’) and may mga nilalatag na projects. We are just so happy at this pero we’ve decided na wala talagang time to grow sa relationship namin. We talked about it. Ano siya, eh, hindi naman siya ’yung nagsabi or ako ang nagsabi (na maghiwalay na kami) kun’di mutual decision talaga,” he said.

But while they’ve kissed their relationship goodbye, still and all, “our doors are open for each other.”

“That’s the best part. Hindi kami bitter sa isa’t-isa. On my end, I’m still hurting, I’m still sad about what happened. Sana maayos kasi she’s really a great person.”

Most were surprised with the uncoupling as they were touted as an ideal couple. Was it a case of too much to bear in the relationship?

“There’s a fine line with me with being ano, eh, unfair. Siguro unfair kung hindi ko pagbibigyan itong trabahong ito na kailangan kong mahalin. Pero mas magiging unfair kung hindi ko kayang ibigay ang time na deserve niya.

“Personally, mas binibigyan namin ng priority kung ano ’yung nangyayari sa buhay namin kasi ito ’yung hinihintay namin, eh. Ibigay na lang sa amin ’yun. ’Yung mga three month-rule ay hindi nag- a-apply sa amin ’yun,” he said.

He assured everyone he’s alright, that he can survive his life without a girlfriend.

“I have to. Siyempre, with all the things that happened (ay) kailangan kong magmove forward, eh, kasi there’s no room for… there’s no time to be sad muna. I mean, I have my fair share of sadness. Until now, honestly, I’m hurting pero kailangan kang mag-focus kasi you got lots on your plate. Ito na ’yung opportunity eh. Ang tagal mong hinintay ang moment na ito. Right now, with all the things that happened, I can do that because I have to.”

“I Can Do That” has somehow elevated Robi and co-host Alex Gonzaga into big time hosting.

He admits that “May pressure, siyempre but we are just super honored.”

“Sobrang natutuwa po kami ni Pards (Alex) kasi sobrang ang tagal naming naghintay for this opportunity. Two days ago we talked about it. Hindi lang po namin gagawing stepping stone ito. We will try – not only try – but we will own this whole program para ipakita kung ano ang dapat ibigay.”

The show, he said, will showcase the stuff that candidates – actress and jiu jitsu enthusiast Cristine Reyes, actress and in-demand cover girl Arci Muñoz, singeractress Sue Ramirez, and host-comedienne Pokwang, theater actor and TV heartthrob JC Santos, dancer-performer Gab Valenciano, comedian Wacky Kiray, and model-actor and footballer Daniel Matsunaga – are made of as they perform daunting, if not downright excruciating acts.

“’Yung mga acts na darating dito sa ‘I Can Do That,’ 40 na pong ginagawa, ’yung iba five years. Bihasang-bihasa na sila dito and we are here to show na kayang gawin ito kasi ang training na ibinibigay namin ay one week for an act, para irehearse ng vandidates.

“But we’re not after the fact na ‘Uy, ’yang 40 years na ’yan ay kaya naming gawin ng one week’ kasi imposible po talaga. But we are here to show na we are so dedicated and passionate about our craft and to show our Kapamilyas na hindi po biro ang ginagawa nila. Ang dami pong puso, ang daming istorya na pwede nating makuha mula sa ating mga mentors.”