A photo posted by Kobe™ (@_kobeparas) on Oct 1, 2015 at 9:20am PDT

MANILA - PBA legend and actor Benjie Paras has voiced his approval for his son's girlfriend, Filipino-American teen model Gabrielle Current.

In an interview with Pep during a press conference for the upcoming film "Lumayo Ka Nga Sa Akin" on Monday, the 47-year-old Paras said he has met with Kobe Paras' new flame.

"Nakilala ko na yun dati pa. Mabait naman yung bata sa nakikita ko," the older Paras said, adding that he was also impressed with Current's singing talent.

Paras then shared a promise Kobe gave to him. He said: "Sabi ko sa kanya, 'Alam mo yung rason bakit nandiyan ka—to have a good degree and to play basketball and to improve well, and be ready for college."

"Ang advice ko sa kanya, 'If you want to fall in love, okay lang. Tapos kung it doesn’t work out, maging matibay ka lang."

A photo posted by Kobe™ (@_kobeparas) on Dec 29, 2015 at 5:09am PST

Last January 1, Kobe gushed over Current on his Instagram account, writing: "Ended 2015 feeling like the luckiest man in the world cause of this one special person and now I also started 2016 feeling like the most undeserving and still luckiest person ever."

A photo posted by Kobe™ (@_kobeparas) on Jan 1, 2016 at 2:45am PST

Meanwhile, Paras admitted that he's happy to have spent Christmas and New Year's Eve with his family. He said: "Naging kumpleto po kami, umuwi po ang anak ko na si Kobe rito, nag-celebrate ho kami ng Pasko at New Year nang magkakasama. Napakasaya ko po ngayon."