A post shared by Daniel Kenji Matsunaga (@dandanmatsunaga) on Dec 25, 2016 at 1:00am PST

MANILA – Months after his much-publicized breakup with Erich Gonzales, Daniel Matsunaga said he is ready to be friends with his former girlfriend again and that he has already moved on.

In an interview at the sidelines of Star Magic’s silver anniversary celebration on Sunday, Matsunaga said he and Gonzales are now civil with each other. In fact, Matsunaga crossed paths with the actress at the Araneta Coliseum during rehearsals.

“I am willing to be friends. Kahapon nagkita kami dito, I said hi to her. We just need to give it time. Hindi usap-usap, pero we said hi naman,” he said.

Matsunaga emphasized he harbors no ill feelings towards Gonzales and that he still has a huge respect for the actress and her family.

Asked how he felt that his sister was likewise dragged into their breakup, Matusunaga said: “Siyempre, family will always be family. Her family will protect her. My family will protect me. At the end of the day, it became big, I don’t know why, but the respect is always there.”

What matters most, according to Matsunaga, is the fact that he and Gonzales were given the chance to speak to each other after their split.

• LOOK: Erich, Daniel meet again weeks after breakup'

“We spoke even after that. Everything is fine. That issue is already done. It’s been a few months. I don’t want things to go out of control again. I have a huge respect for Erich. I have moved on already,” he said.

Matsunaga said he will also be happy for his ex-girlfriend if ever Gonzales finally decides to date again.

“It’s okay. I just hope she’s happy. I just really hope she’s happy with everything that’s going on in her life. She seems happy and that’s good. I am really happy for her. From the bottom of my heart, I just want the best for her,” he siad.

Matsunaga, however, maintains that he is not yet ready to be in a new relationship.

“I don’t look for anybody. I have faith that God will give me the right one. I’ve been waiting for that. Right now, focused lang ako sa work. Work muna and kung may isang babae in the future, God knows best,” he said.

He also belied rumors romantically linking him to his fellow “I Can Do That” contestant, actress Arci Munoz.

• READ: Tears as Arci Muñoz makes final bow on 'I Can Do That'

“No, we are friends. We are very good friends. Lahat kami sa ‘I Can Do That,’ we are one big family. Every time may taping kami or may rehearsals, nandoon kaming lahat. We also try to go somewhere and have dinner, go out, para masaya yung bonding and everything,” he said.

When directly asked if he is courting Munoz, Matsunaga replied: “Siguro dahil sa mga acts namin, sabi nila bagay kasi maganda 'yung acts [sa show]. Single siya, single din ako pero sa ngayon, friends lang kami.”