Carmina Villaroel brushed off the online comments branding husband Zoren Legaspi a "red flag," saying she is not affected because she knows the man behind the videos circulating on social media.
During her guest appearance on Hot Takes, the actress reflected on her more than two-decade-long relationship with Zoren and shared how they have managed to keep their marriage strong over the years while raising their twins, Mavy and Cassy.
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When asked about the worst remark she had ever heard or read about her husband or their marriage, the Loyalty Game actress recalled the time some netizens labeled Zoren a "red flag."
"There was a time na nasabihan si Zoren na 'red flag.' Una, dedma lang din ako. Kasi like I said, you don't know him," she lightheartedly maintained.
The actress stressed that people often form opinions based only on clips they see online, without really knowing the person behind them.
"Kilala ko itong tao na ito. Kayo, nakikilala niyo lang siya dahil napanood ninyo [sa video]... unedited pa [at] hindi niyo alam kung saan nanggaling. Hindi niyo kilala 'yung tao so how can you say na red flag siya?"
Confident in the relationship they have built together, Carmina added that if Zoren truly had those qualities, their marriage would not have lasted this long.
"Kami, kilala namin 'yung isa't isa. I mean, kung red flag si Zoren, hello? Matagal na akong wala dito sa marriage na ito, darling."
The conversation also touched on the viral blind item earlier this year that linked an unnamed celebrity "power couple" to alleged marital problems. At the time, many social media users speculated that it referred to Carmina and Zoren.
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Looking back, Carmina said neither of them felt the need to issue a statement because they knew the rumor had nothing to do with them.
"If you know the truth, dedma ka eh. Lahat na nga ng tao nag-react na eh maliban na lang sa amin ni Zoren eh. 'Yung iba kasi nag-name din ng ibang mga couple and parang they gave their statements saying that it's not true. Kami lang yata ni Zoren ang hindi nagbigay ng statement," she explained.
She maintained that responding to a blind item would only invite more speculation.
"At tsaka, blind item nga di ba. So pag nagsalita ako parang [natamaan kami]... sinasabi ko bang kami 'yun? There's no lead."
Carmina added that knowing the truth about their relationship was enough reason not to dwell on the rumors and even admitted that she and her husband found one part of the issue amusing.
"Like I said, if you know the truth – alam naman namin ni Zoren eh. Actually, medyo na-flatter pa nga kami eh kasi [tinawag] na power couple 'yun. Parang 'Oh my gosh, thank you so much. Inisip niyong power couple [kami].' So medyo na-flatter kami nang slight."
"Honestly, hindi kami na-affect. Hindi talaga. Kasi like I said, if you know what's happening, if you know the truth, then why are you going to get bothered by those issues, di ba?" She continued.
Carmina also recalled how widespread the speculation had become after meeting a friend they had not seen for a long time. According to her, their friend was relieved to discover that she and Zoren were still together because she had believed the rumors. That encounter made the actress realize how easily people can accept stories they read online.
"Sabi ko, 'Oh my gosh, talaga palang may naniniwala na kami pala 'yun.' Kasi for her to say that and to kind of believe na may possibility na kami 'yun sabi ko 'Oh my gosh, 'yung talaga yung social media. Pag na-plant na sa isip mo at talagang pinaniwala mo 'yung sarili mo, 'yun na talaga 'yung paniniwalaan mo whether it's fake or not."
Despite everything, Carmina said she and her husband simply laughed about the situation and even found themselves wondering who the blind item was really referring to.
"Actually, natatawa kami kasi nga siguro, alam naming hindi totoo. Kaya natatawa [kami]... kaya tuloy na-iintriga kami [kung] sino kaya 'yun? Kasi hindi kami 'yun, so sino?"
She also pointed out that, given their status as public figures, she believes it would be difficult to hide something as significant as a separation.
In January, when the blind item gained traction online and their names surfaced in discussions, Zoren posted a photo on Instagram, showing the silhouette of their family of four at a beach. He reminded followers that social media only shows "a small silhouette of a much bigger reality," while assuring everyone that their family remains strong.