Ara Mina has finally addressed the long-standing rumor that she once had a romantic relationship with Manny Pacquiao.

According to Ara, there was no relationship between them.

“Na-link lang. Because of the movie we made together,” the actress said during her guesting on “Kay Susan Tayo! Vlogs.”

Ara recalled that Pacquiao had admitted to her that he had a crush on her even before he became a famous boxer.

But when asked if Pacquiao actually courted her, Ara was seemingly noncommittal.

“Ligaw ba ’yun? Parang normal na, I don't think ligaw ’yung ginawa niya sa'kin,” she said.

For the record, she made clear that they never became a couple.

The Pacquiao story is just one of the many romantic controversies that surrounded Ara during her younger years in showbiz.

Ara was one of the most talked-about actresses of her generation. She started out as a teenager on “That’s Entertainment,” at a time when the long-running youth-oriented program was one of the industry's biggest talent factories.

She eventually moved into more mature roles and became known as one of the more daring actresses of her generation, appearing in a string of sexy films that helped establish her as a major name in Philippine showbiz.

With the fame came the usual showbiz rumors, particularly about the men in her life.

Among them was Jomari Yllana.

Ara said their relationship lasted four years. It also became one of the more controversial chapters of her love life because of Jomari’s former wife, actress Aiko Melendez.

Ara said Aiko and Jomari were already separated when she and Jomari became involved. Still, the situation created the impression that she had taken Jomari away from Aiko.

“Parang ang dating, inagaw ko,” she said.

Ara was also involved with former Bulacan mayor Patrick Meneses, with whom she has a daughter, Amanda Gabrielle or Mandy.

Their relationship lasted three and a half years.

Note that Patrick had previously been in a relationship with Aiko.

Ara could only joke about the coincidence.

“Baka sa past life, ’no? Baka may something kami (ni Aiko), na hindi ko rin naman sinasadya,” she said.

She clarified that Aiko and Patrick were already separated when she and the former mayor became a couple.

Years later, Ara said she and Aiko have become friends.

There was also Eric Fructuoso, whom Ara confirmed had courted her during their younger days.

“Parang ano naman ’yun eh. Parang kabute. Minsan magte-text. Minsan, manliligaw,” she said.

Today, Ara’s love life is far removed from the controversies that once filled the entertainment pages.

She is married to businessman Dave Almarinez, whom she first met at a basketball event in Laguna.