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Manila Bulletin devider Entertainment devider Celebrities devider Carmina Villarroel says fans are more hung up on Rustom than she is: 'Move on na kayo'

Carmina Villarroel says fans are more hung up on Rustom than she is: 'Move on na kayo'

Published Aug 5, 2026 10:26 am

At A Glance

  • Years after her split from Rustom Padilla, now known as BB Gandanghari, Carmina Villarroel says she is amused that some fans still revisit their past relationship and even speculate about what could have been.

Carmina Villarroel has a message for fans who continue to revisit her former relationship with Rustom Padilla: she has already moved on and she wonders why some people have not.

Appearing on a recent podcast hosted by broadcast journalist Karmina Constantino, the actress and television host admitted she remains puzzled by the public’s enduring fascination with her past marriage to the actor who has since err, evolved, as transgender personality BB Gandanghari.

For Villarroel, the curiosity has become less frustrating and more amusing with time.

“Minsan napapag-isip ako, pero ngayon natatawa na lang ako. Parang ‘guys, hindi pa ba talaga kayo nakakapag-move on?’ ‘Yung parang ‘talaga ba?’” she said.

“I mean nawala na nga ‘yung tao na ‘yon and yet hindi pa rin kayo nakakapag-move on. So hindi ko na alam.”

The remarks touched on a topic that continues to generate discussion online decades after the former couple's separation.

While some social media users still bring up the controversy surrounding their split, others continue to speculate about alternate timelines and “what if” scenarios, a phenomenon that Villarroel views with a mix of disbelief and humor.

“Ang iniisip ko na lang ang dami nilang oras. I’m so naiinggit to them because they have every time in the world to compare. May mga ‘what ifs’ sila in life, hindi pa sila makapag-move on,” she said.

The comments highlight the unusual afterlife of a celebrity relationship that officially ended years ago but continues to resurface in online conversations.

Even as Gandanghari has built a new life and identity, and Villarroel has long moved forward with actor Zoren Legaspi, public interest in their shared past has shown remarkable staying power.

Asked how she deals with heartbreak and difficult chapters in life, Villarroel said moving on is often the only practical option.

“Wala kang choice but to move on. Like I said, we don’t live in a perfect world,” she said.

“So, you’re given this situation, ano ang gagawin mo? So it’s either gawan mo ng solusyon, mag-move on ka or namnamin mo ang problema at ganyan ka na lang for life. ‘Yun lang naman ang choices mo.”

The actress added that acceptance is a crucial part of the process.

“Una diyan is to accept. Accept mo na this has happened to me, wala nang sumbat, sumbat. Kasi pareho niyong ginusto ‘yon.”

“It’s just that ‘yun ang ending. It’s a sad ending, wala rin namang may gusto noon. So you just have to accept.”

Then, with a laugh, Villarroel delivered what may be her most direct appeal yet to longtime followers of the story.

“I mean guys nakapag-move on na kami, move on na kayo. Wala na bang iba?”

Related Tags

Carmina Villarroel BB Gandanghari Rustom Padilla Zoren Legaspi Karmina Constantino
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