Away from the noise of speculation, Richard Gutierrez and Barbie Imperial chose a moment of clarity, confirming their relationship during the announcement of their upcoming action-drama series, Blood vs Duty, in an interview with ABS-CBN News.

For months, the pair kept their personal lives largely offstage, appearing together only in fleeting moments and rare sightings abroad. When asked about their relationship, Barbie explained their approach with candor, saying they chose privacy rather than secrecy.

“Can I just say that we weren’t hiding. We just chose to have a private relationship talaga, because we know na ayaw namin ng— even I—what people don’t know, they can’t ruin,” she said.

Richard echoed the sentiment, stressing the value of keeping things calm and away from public pressure. “I agree. From the beginning, ganun talaga. We want to keep things private. Mas relaxed yung ganun. Mas gusto namin yung ganun,” he said.

When pressed further about their status, Barbie offered a simple confirmation, referencing a remark Richard previously made in an interview with Ogie Diaz.

“Sabi nga niya sa isang interview ni Tito Ogie, ‘What you see is what you get.’ Yeah, ’yun na ’yun,” she said.

With Blood vs Duty set to showcase their on-screen chemistry, the couple’s off-screen relationship appears grounded in trust, boundaries, and a shared decision to keep their personal lives steady amid the spotlight.