MANILA — For the first time since their apparent falling out, Carlo Aquino has spoken up about his status with former girlfriend and co-star Angelica Panganiban, admitting they lacked communication amid romantic expectations from fans.

Speaking with ABS-CBN News’ MJ Felipe, Aquino finally addressed speculation as to his current relationship with Panganiban, a month after the actress declared she would distance herself from her fellow “Playhouse” cast member.

At the time, Panganiban said their relationship was “ruined” by the negativity of some fans who had expected them to get back together. In particular, one follower who blamed Panganiban’s cryptic posts about self-love for the supposed unfair judgment against Aquino appeared to trigger her decision.

Since then, Panganiban and Aquino have not posted personal photos together, apart from promotional clips and images related to their shared endorsement deals and the daytime series “Playhouse.”

Coinciding with the perceived rift between the two was the circulation of photos showing Aquino on vacation with a woman, which fans took as a signal that the actor was romantically involved with someone else, despite his affectionate behavior with Panganiban in media appearances shortly before.

When asked whether he wanted to make a statement following the intrigues, Aquino said: “As long as okay naman kami ni Angge, speaking terms naman kami, okay na ako doon. Kung anuman ang sinasabi ng mga tao, I don’t feel the need to explain anything.”

“Basta ‘yung mga taong nagmamahal sa akin, ‘yung kilala ako, iyon lang ang importante. Naiintindihan nila ako,” he added.

Aquino, who enjoyed a notable career resurgence in 2018, admitted he was initially hurt by some comments “in the first few weeks” after the issue erupted.

“First time na mangyari sa akin ‘to, e. Malaking blessing, pero never kong inaakala na ganito pala,” he said.

A former child star, Aquino courted a new generation of fans when he and Panganiban reunited in the 2018 blockbuster “Exes Baggage,” which revived their ‘90s tandem dubbed “CarGel.”

The onscreen reunion, and the childhood sweethearts’ romantic photos together, spurred hopes among loyal fans that they would get back together for a third time — that is, until the events of January 2019.

“Anong gagawin natin? Opinyon nila ‘yon, e ‘di tatanggapin ko na lang kung ano ‘yung mga sinasabi nila sa akin,” Aquino said, when asked whether he felt offended that photos of him with a different woman circulated online.

He confirmed that the photos are real — “oo, totoo,” he said — but did not share further details as to the identity of the woman, or their relationship.

Watch more in iWantv or TFC.tv

Amid the trying episode, Aquino said his family and friends have helped him move on. “Ever since naman, iyon ang kinakapitan ko, e,” he said.

“Naniniwala kasi ako na may ibang mga bagay na kailan mong kini-keep private, para kaya mong tumayo in private. Ganun na lang ‘yung ginagawa ko,” he added.

When asked for his reaction to perception that both Panganiban and CarGel fans were led on, or “napaasa,” into believing there was a chance for a real-life romance anew, Aquino brought up their onscreen chemistry.

Watch more in iWantv or TFC.tv

“Hindi maiiwasan talaga kasi on- and offscreen, maganda kami tingnan, e. Ang nagkulang lang siguro ‘yung pag-uusap,” he said.

Aquino went on to clarify that, no, he and Panganiban did not approach a point where they were close to rekindling their relationship.