Mariel Rodriguez confirms breakup with Zanjoe Marudo

Mariel Rodriguez was in the Entertainment Live hot seat on May 29 when she finally admitted that she and Zanjoe Marudo are no longer a couple. According to Mariel, their relationship started to getting rocky after their Asian cruise last April. "Originally kasi I didn't want to talk kasi feeling ko na once na pag-usapan sa TV feeling ko final na talaga 'yun, so as much as possible we were keeping it on the down low, as much as possible walang may alam na may pinagdadaanan ang relationship namin."

Since both Mariel and Zanjoe are not vocal about the status of their relationship, different speculations about the breakup have arisen. The most recent theory is Wowowee guest host Robin Padilla's "extra-closeness" to Mariel during his stint on the afternoon show. "Yun ang pinakakinaka-sad ko, yung third party speculations, because number one sobrang unfair for Mr. Robin Padilla na madawit siya dito kasi to begin with. 'Yung thing na pinagdadaanan namin ni Zanjoe was after the cruise, he (Robin) came in two weeks ago so bago lang yun."

If there is anything that Mariel feels for Robin, it is respect and gratitude for hosting Wowowee for two weeks and for being such a gentleman to all of the co-hosts and the members of the staff. "Robin had an interview with DZMM and he said na yung ‘feelings’ [niya] nasa apat ng sulok lang ng studio. In fairness to Binoy, he was such a gentleman, even though he did not have to apologize, nag-apologize siya, sabi niya, 'Sorry kung meron akong natatapakan o whatever.' Hindi naman siya nanliligaw, sobra niyang mabait, na-aappreciate ko lang yung sincerity niya sa Wowowee, lagi akong nagthe-thank you sa kanya kasi he saved us. Sobra akong grateful na tinanggap nya yung Wowowee. I will forever be grateful. Naka one million na akong thank you sa kanya."

Mariel further emphasized that there are no third parties behind the breakup. "Seriously, there is no third party whatsoever. Akala ko nga ang madadawit ay si Cristine Reyes kasi meron silang Kristine Series sa Precious Hearts. [Sabi ko] naku kawawa naman si AA (how she calls Christine), I am sure siya na naman ang pagiinitan ng mga tao na dahilan. Hindi po si Cristine, hindi po si Robin, hindi po sinuman dahil wala pong third party."

Another speculation is that Zanjoe decided to prioritize his work over their relationship since he is his family's breadwinner. "Sa part na iyon I admire him kasi hindi naman lahat ibibigay for their family, siya ibibigay niya lahat for his family, kaya okay lang [sa akin]. To be able to give your best for your family, you have to focus on your career."

Mariel said that she and Zanjoe are still good friends and still communicate with and support each other. "Hindi naman mawawala yun, as a matter of fact meron siyang Z-Cup (golf-tournament spearheaded by Zanjoe), magpupunta ako dun. Kasi hindi naman kami ‘hindi okay,’ hindi naman kami magkaaway, we are friends we still text each other. We can watch a movie, we can do whatever, it wasn't bad na parang may galit sa isa't-isa, nothing like that. Never akong nagpakita ng bahid ng kalungkutan lalo na sa work. Okay lang naman kasi talaga, yung state namin ngayon, we are friends. [We can still talk about] anything under the sun, I can say na isa pa rin siya sa mga close sa akin talaga."