Singer Klarisse de Guzman and her partner of four years, Trina Rey, opened up about the beginning of their love story. The couple shared how a simple interaction on social media sparked their connection.
"May common friend lang kami online tapos 'yun nagka-message-an," Klarisse relayed in an interview with Vice Ganda in the latter's YouTube vlog.
Klarisse recalled how their love story started when she reacted to one of Trina’s Instagram Stories wherein the latter posted a selfie.
At the time, Klarisse was enjoying wine with friends when she decided to check her account. "Kasi makulit 'yung account niya, eh siyempre medyo tipsy. [Inopen] ko 'yung Story niya tapos nag-fire [emoji] ako. Tapos natatawa na lang ako na nag-reply siya," she stated.
Trina was stunned when she received Klarisse's message. "Sabi ko is this real?" she responded, amazed that a celebrity reached out to her.
That moment led to more conversations between the two. "Nagkwentuhan na. Naglolokohan. Feeling ko rin naman naramdaman niya... Nagse-sendan na mga memes," Klarisse recalled.
After six months of talking, their relationship became official without the traditional courtship stage. "Actually madalas nga po tinatanong 'yan kung sino nanligaw pero parang it is just parang lumabas lang talaga naturally sa aming dalawa," Trina relayed.
Klarisse shared that it was her who asked Trina to take the next step. "Sabi ko tayo na ha?"
Trina admitted it took her some time to say yes. "Siguro nakadalawang tanong siya, different day po 'yun. Kasi takot po ako. Kaya ko po ba na itatago na naman ako? Parang sobrang hirap... Kasi 'yung past ko rin naman hindi rin ako totally na ina-out. So parang ako pagod na ako and ako kasi, ayaw ko po ng papalit-palit. So parang looking po ako na sa kaya ba ako nito panindigan?"
Klarisse acknowledged Trina’s patience and resilience. "Kaya ngayon nagiisip kami parang ito na talaga 'yung timing nung nag-PBB ako, total four years. Parang feeling ko rin po sobrang unfair na rin sa kanya lalo na di ba ilang beses niyan sa online or sa mga television, nade-deny ko siya."
When asked what she loves most about Klarisse, Tina answered: "'Pag nagkwe-kwentuhan kami, lagi kong sinasabi napakabuti ng puso niya. Kasi may mga times na hindi niya nakikita kung ano ang nagagawa niya sa ibang tao."
For Klarisse, the most meaningful part of their relationship is Trina’s unwavering presence during her darkest times. "Yung fact na hindi niya ako iniwan nung mga panahon na feeling ko kaiwan-iwan ako nun... Nasa lowest point ako ng buhay ko bukod pa dun sa dinediny ko na nga siya, ang daming nangyayari, hindi ko siya mapaglaban. Ang dami kong iniisip lalo na nagsabay nagkasakit parents ko," she shared.
The singer went on: "So 'yung mga pagkakataon na 'yun siya pa yung naging support system ko talaga. Kumbaga hindi niya ako iniwan sa mga panahon na 'yun at talagang minahal niya ako kahit sa mga panahong hindi niya ako kamahal-mahal."
In an April episode of Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition, Klarisse revealed to her fellow housemates that she is a member of the LGBTQ+ community during a task led by houseguest Michelle Dee.
"Sa tingin ko ito na 'yung time para sabihin sa inyong lahat and to tell the world that I'm not straight. I am bi (bisexual)," she shared.
She went on: "'Yung kinekwento ko sa inyo na may 4 years akong partner. Yes I have a partner for four years. Her name is Trina. And hindi ko in-expect na masasabi ko ngayon ito. Wala lang, ang lakas lang ng loob ko para sabihin."
Klarisse relayed that her late father knew about her identity before his passing, and her mother has been very supportive. She also shared that Trina was staying with her mother while she was inside the PBB house.
"Ang kasama ng Mama ko ngayon is her [Trina]. And I guess, komportable na akong sabihin sa inyong lahat with Michelle Dee pa. And hindi ko mahintay na ma-meet niyo siya. And I miss her. Sobrang swerte ko lang talaga kasi tanggap ako ng parents ko." she remarked.