Earlier this month, 19-year-old actress Arabella Del Rosario confirmed the news that she was in a relationship with Jimuel Pacquiao, 20. "Opo, girlfriend niya po ako," Arabella told reporters in a press interview. The two Star Magic artists had been rumored to be dating since December 2020 after they posted ~telling~ photos of each other on Twitter.
Now, the couple just had their first joint interview on Star Magic Inside News and revealed some deets about their relationship! Arabella said that her first impression of Jimuel was that he was shy: "Yung first impression ko sa kanya parang, I guess, mahiyain siya."
Jimuel then clarified that they had started out as friends before eventually getting into a relationship. "Yeah, kasi at first po we were friends muna," he said. "You know, through the games we played, I really got to know her."
When asked about his famous parents' reaction to his new relationship—you know he's the son of Manny and Jinkee Pacquiao, right??—Jimuel only had positive words to say: "Of course it's normal naman po to ask questions, you know, where she's from, ganito. But they're very supportive naman kasi tugma naman kaming dalawa and parang we're both happy, you know."
Arabella, on her part, revealed that her mom had reminded her of the challenges they'd face being a young couple in the industry. "From my mom po parang sabi niya madami pa po kaming pagdadaanan na challenges," she said. "And of course hindi mawawala especially yung pressure ng showbiz. So parang kailangan lang naming maging matatag and kailangan lang namin i-remember why we are together in the first place."
But what matters most for Jimuel and Arabella is having God at the center of their relationship. "Kasi everything will follow," Jimuel shared. "As long as we, you know, read the bible, always pray, everything will just follow lang po."
ICYDK, Jimuel previously dated actress Heaven Peralejo. They confirmed their relationship in March 2019, but reports suggested they were already on the rocks by August that same year.