Yeng Constantino finally opened up about why she and fellow Pinoy Dream Academy alum RJ Jimenez never pursued a relationship further.
The two became the subject of dating buzz during and even after their time on the reality singing competition, with their closeness further fueling speculation when they teamed up for their well-loved duet ”If We Fall in Love.”
During Day 2 of her Byaheng Bente concert at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, RJ teased Yeng about their past, prompting the singer to finally share her side of the story.
“Matagal kong hinintay to. Ano yung sasabihin mo kanina? Meron kang sasabihin bago ko sabihin yung gusto kong sabihin. Ano ba yung nangyari sa atin?” RJ said.
Yeng then revealed that she actually became jealous of RJ's manager at the time.
“Pinagselosan ko yung manager niya. Sobra akong nagselos tapos sobra akong ma-pride. Sabi ko ‘Pag eto talaga sinagot nito sakin ‘Wala akong ginagawang masama ah’ hindi ko na ‘to papansinin forever.’ Yun nga ang sinabi (ni RJ).” she shared.
The singer-songwriter went on to share how the situation eventually led her to cut ties with RJ.
“Paano ko babawiin ang aking pangako sa aking sarili? Pero ganon kami sa pamilya, di ba papa? You have to honor your word. Pag sinabi mo gawin mo, eh nasabi ko, kahit gusto ko siya, hindi ko na siya pinansin,” she added.
Just when fans thought they had heard the whole story, Yeng had an even bigger plot twist up her sleeve.
“But you know what? Napangasawa niya yung manager niya. Ms. Tin, ngayon alam mo na. Ikaw ang puno’t dulo ng hangganan ng aming relasyon,” Yeng expressed.
She added that she, too, did not expect the revelations to unfold during the concert: “Hindi ako galit. Pero nanlamig sobrang lumamig yung kamay ko sa mga rebelasyon natin.”
RJ, for his part, took the opportunity to say sorry to Yeng for what happened between them.
“Kinonfirm mo… madaming nagtatanong… I know. Pero for the longest time, hindi ko rin talaga alam yung mga kwento. Pero gusto kong mag-sorry sa'yo. For the longest time, sobrang nagalit ako sa'yo. Hindi ko alam anong nangyari pero nagalit talaga ako,” he admitted.
Yeng quickly fired back with a joke, keeping the moment light.
“Alam ko kung bakit. Kasi sineen zone kita parang si Ryan Bang. Sobrang sakit kaya karma ko talaga yung kay Ryan eh. Kaya ikaw talaga yung karma ko eh. Iginanti ako ni Ryan,” the singer shared.
In 2022, Yeng revealed on an episode of It's Showtime that Ryan Bang had actually tried to court her years earlier. However, the Korean-Filipino host eventually stopped pursuing her without explaining why. Ryan later admitted that he simply assumed Yeng wasn't interested in him. Their brief romantic chapter would eventually inspire Yeng's hit song “Babay.”
Meanwhile, RJ also shared how happy he is for Yeng.
“Yeng, I'm happy for you. Maraming salamat after 18 years nagkasama tayo ulit. Sana maulit ulit,” he expressed.
Yeng added that their paths would cross again soon, with another reunion already in the works.
“Mauulit ulit kasi may anniversary concert tayo. Ikaw ang producer non. Makikita mo sila… Sa Music Museum po ito. Sa mga hindi pa nakakakuha ng tickets, September 19 po (ang concert),” she said.
RJ also revealed that the upcoming reunion would bring together their former Pinoy Dream Academy housemates for the highly anticipated 20th Alumni Homecoming: “Magkikita-kita tayo for Pinoy Dream Academy 20 Alumni Homecoming. Lahat ng mga kaklase natin sa Pinoy Dream Academy pupunta sa show na ito kaya sobrang exciting.”