MANILA, Philippines -- Model-turned-actor Edward Mendez on Tuesday denied that he is the new boyfriend of celebrity doctor Vicki Belo, saying that he is only a good friend.
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"Well totoo naman na boyfriend niya ako in a platonic way. I'm very close to her,"he said in an interview with abs-cbnNEWS.com.
"Like I said I try to look things in positive note, in a positive way. Siguro hindi ko na pag-iisipan 'yon. Kumbaga thankful na lang ako sa maraming blessings na dumarating," he said.
Mendez also denied that he was the reason for the breakup of Belo and long-time-boyfriend Hayden Kho.
"For the record, hindi ako," he said. "Kasi matagal na akong involved sa kanya as a friend before Hayden pa. So, kung mayroon talaga siguro matagal nang nangyari na mayroon."
Mendez, who's also a fitness and wellness consultant at the Belo Medical Group, admitted that the celebrity doctor is "girlfriend material" but he won't risk his friendship just to have a romantic relationship with Belo.
"She's a girlfriend material to any guy who's looking for love. Sa amin lang na-develop into friendship, so mahirap ibahin 'yon," he explained.
"Ayaw ko kasing gumawa ng mga moves na maapektuhan 'yung [binuo] namin sa tagal tagal na. Napaka-special 'yung pagkakaibigan namin na tinuturing siyang family, so ayaw kong masira 'yon," he added.
Mendez said what is important right now is that he's helping Belo to be happy and to move on from the breakup.
"Ang sa akin lang ang importante ay masaya siya at kung magkaroon siya ng panibagong boyfriend or bagong love life, boto ako doon and we'll be there for support as close friends," he said.
"Kaya ako hindi ko ikakahiya na sabihin na I'm very close to her, na she's a good friend. Kasi she's one of most beautiful and nicest persons na nakilala ko,' he said.
On Sunday, Belo and Mendez appeared together on the Sunday talk show "Gandang Gabi Vice."
Belo, who ended her relationship with former fiancé Kho early this year, introduced Mendez only as Edward to viewers of the show but also said that he "inspires" her.
Mendez is now promoting "Precious Hearts Romances Presents: Hiyas" with Megan Young and Zanjoe Marudo, which will premire on Monday, May 28, after "PBB Teen Edition 4 Uber."