On February 7, Star Magic artist Xyriel Manabat recounted how her non-showbiz boyfriend, Nathaniel Toledo, surprised her on her birthday.
During the media event for Star Magic artists at the Limbaga 77 Cafe in Quezon City, which LionhearTV covered, Manabat detailed how Toledo mounted a surprise party for her birthday in January 2024.
Manabat remarked that Toledo mentioned surprising her. However, her boyfriend did something totally unexpected.
“Noong una po kasi may lakad po kami mula afternoon hanggang gabi. Tapos after po noon hang out lang po sa kwarto, kain po kami nila Mama. Tapos after noon umalis siya. Pero kunwari lang hindi ko alam. Kasi, nadulas na siya sa akin na parang nagpapahiwatig na siya na may surprise ako, kunyari lang na hindi ko sinabi. As in hindi niya kaya i-secret.
“Pero, wala po ako idea, akala ko may baloons and cake na may umiilaw na something. Kasi, nanghihingi siya ng kumot. Akala ko pantago doon sa gift or kung ano man.”
She noted how Toledo went the extra mile in mounting a huge birthday celebration, inviting her close friends and family.
“Tapos ‘yun pala, pumunta siya sa kaibigan namin. Malapit lang sa bahay namin tapos doon siya nag-park. Doon, siya nag-ayos ng car. Nakitulong po siya kung paano ise-set up ‘yung mga baloons. Tapos ‘yun po, paglabas ko po, nandoon kasama si Mama.”
Aside from the surprise party, Manabat highlighted how her boyfriend, alongside her Senior High co-star Zaijian Jaranilla, pushed for her return to showbiz.
Manabat then talked about how she and Toledo set boundaries for their relationship.
“Doon po kami nag-start magkaroon ng label sa relationship namin, clinear ko na ‘yung mga ayaw ko at mga kaya kong gawin at mga kailangan niyang intindihin.
“At ayaw kong, isipin niya na porket nauna akong mag-artista bago kami mag-boyfriend, wala siyang voice sa mga nangyayari. Lagi kong sinasabi sa kaniya na if hindi ka comfortable sa nangyayari sa nakikita mo, sa nangyayari, sa naririnig mo, sabihin mo sa akin.
“Hindi mo kailangan mag-adjust ng mag-adjust. So I think, assurance and communication, and the way na I listen po, na hindi ko ini-invalidate feelings niya.”
As for her recent projects, Manabat starred in the Kapamilya series Senior High with Andrea Brillantes, Kyle Echarri, Juan Karlos, Zaijian Jaranilla, Miggy Jimenez, and many more.
