Carla Abellana on second chances and choosing love again

With an unmistakable glow and an ease that comes only from inner peace, Carla Abellana recently sat down on Fast Talk with Boy Abunda to speak candidly about the newest chapter of her life, one marked by love rediscovered, lessons learned, and a future she now embraces with quiet confidence.

Fresh from her 27 December 2025 wedding to Dr. Reginald Santos, Carla opened up about what excites her most as she steps into marriage once again. When asked what she looks forward to, her answer was simple yet sincere: life itself, now lived as a wife. Still, the actress did not shy away from humor, gently poking fun at her own past.

“Nag-jo-joke nga ako. We’re married two weeks, so konti na lang ma-bi-beat ko na yung dating record ko,” she said with a laugh.

(“I joke about it. We’ve been married for two weeks, so I’m close to beating my previous record.”)

“Kung dati, nagtagal po ng seven weeks, five more weeks ma-bi-beat ko na ang sarili kong record.”

(“Before, it lasted seven weeks, so five more weeks and I’ll beat my own record.”)

The light moment drew smiles in the studio, but it also revealed a woman who has learned to laugh at her scars rather than be defined by them. When the conversation turned to whether there would be a milestone celebration, Carla gamely played along.

“Yes! Dapat meron (celebration) by the seventh week.”

(“Yes! There should be a celebration by the seventh week.”)

Embracing the reality of marriage

Beyond the jokes, Carla spoke thoughtfully about what marriage truly means to her now. She shared that she is looking forward to the full spectrum of married life, not just the blissful moments, but the challenges as well.

“Whether the honeymoon stage, a challenge na dumaan — whatever it is that’s part of getting married and experiencing married life for the first time,” she said.

(“Whether it’s the honeymoon stage or the challenges that come along, whatever is part of marriage and experiencing married life for the first time.”)

This time around, Carla approaches marriage with clarity rather than fantasy, anchored by self-awareness and emotional readiness.

Dreams of motherhood and shared commitment

A central theme of the conversation was Carla’s enduring dream of becoming a mother. She spoke openly about fertility, preparation, and the importance of having options, topics she has never shied away from.

She revealed that she had previously undergone egg freezing, a deeply personal process made easier by her husband’s unwavering support.

“He’s supportive. He was there, supporting me. At one point, he gave me my daily injections. He was present and supportive.”

Now married, the couple hopes to begin building a family soon, with faith and patience guiding their journey.

“Hopefully, ‘di ba makapag-start na kami mag-build ng family if God permits. ‘Yun ang focus bilang the clock is ticking din, ‘di ba? Mag-f-forty na ’ko this year,” Carla shared.

(“Hopefully, we can start building a family if God permits. That’s the focus, since the clock is ticking. I’m turning forty this year.”)

They are also open to in vitro fertilization as a backup plan. As Carla explained, preparedness brings peace of mind.

“Let’s say kung hirap man kami na mag-conceive naturally, at least merong ganong backup, merong ganong option.”

(“If we have difficulty conceiving naturally, at least we have a backup, an option.”)

The man she calls her husband

For the first time on national television, Carla spoke at length about the man now beside her, not as a public figure, but as a partner.

“Dr. Reginald Santos is my husband. Ang sarap pakinggan. Ang sarap pong sabihin,” she said.

(“Dr. Reginald Santos is my husband. It sounds so good. It feels so good to say.”)

She described him as a very private, non-showbiz individual, serious and professional in his work as a doctor. While he is not currently practicing full-time, he manages and runs the hospital where he works as chief medical officer.

While he may appear stern in his professional role, Carla emphasized that there is much more to him beyond the hospital walls.

“Can be serious at times and strict. Minsan masungit. But pagdating lang naman sa pagiging professional ‘yun as a doctor,” she said.

(“He can be serious and strict, sometimes grumpy, but that’s only when he’s being professional as a doctor.”)

“Of course, outside of work, he’s a very quirky person. Masayahin. Very helpful. Very calm. And very loving.”

(“Outside of work, he’s quirky, cheerful, very helpful, very calm, and very loving.”)

A love story that began in the classroom

Their story traces back to their teenage years at O.B. Montessori in Greenhills, where Carla was a first-year high school student and Reginald was already in his senior year.

“I was in first year and he was in fourth year high school. But we went to the same school. O.B. Montessori in Greenhills. So, yes. First boyfriend. First love,” she recalled.

Their young romance lasted nearly two years before life demanded a difficult choice.

“Nag-break po kami because he actually had to really focus on his studies,” Carla said. “Napaka-brave po niya na kinailangan niya pumili between our relationship and med school.”

(“We broke up because he really had to focus on his studies. It was brave of him to choose between our relationship and medical school.”)

Timing, healing, and finding their way back

Years later, life led them back to each other, but only after Carla had gone through profound personal growth.

“Of course, time heals all things na hindi lang naman time ang lumipas,” she reflected. “Kumbaga ang dami kong pinagdaanan para mag-improve, para matuto, para mag-heal.”

(“Time heals all things, but it wasn’t just time passing. I went through so much to improve, to learn, and to heal.”)

She believes that if their paths had crossed again too soon, the ending might have been very different.

“So I think ‘yung timing talaga.”

(“So I really believe it was all about timing.”)

When they finally reunited, it was with maturity, intention, and a shared understanding of what love now required.

A quiet wedding, a loud promise

The couple tied the knot in an intimate ceremony in Cavite, choosing privacy over spectacle. In her vows, Carla called Reginald her “first and last” love, a full-circle moment that resonated deeply with fans.

Earlier rumors of a wedding were met with gentle restraint from the actress, who simply said at the time, “I would like to keep it private.”

Now, with the vows spoken and the future unfolding, Carla Abellana stands grounded in gratitude, no longer chasing timelines or expectations, but embracing love exactly as it arrives.

For her, marriage is not about rewriting the past. It is about honoring it, learning from it, and finally choosing a life, and a partner, who feels like home.