Kapuso star Kate Valdez and Japanese actor-vlogger Fumiya Sankai have officially opened up about their budding romance, confirming that they have been dating for three months after first meeting five months ago.

In an interview during the premiere night of ‘Balota’ at Gateway Mall, Cubao, the couple shared details about their relationship, including how Fumiya was the first to fall in love.

Kate initially saw Fumiya as a close friend and was hesitant to pursue anything romantic, revealing that she believed friendship would last longer. However, Fumiya confessed his feelings, with his first “I love you” delivered in both English and Tagalog.

The couple is currently managing a semi-long-distance relationship, with Fumiya living in Japan and visiting the Philippines once a month. Their relationship became public after a social media post showing them together during a Hong Kong trip, sparking widespread speculation about their romantic status.

Despite Kate’s previous heartbreak, she eventually realized she had fallen for Fumiya.