Conversations with Janine Tugonon

Almost a year after her reign as the Miss Universe 2012 first runner-up, Janine Tugonon will soon leave for the United States and stay there for good. This is a revised interview portion which is taken from the BUZZ interview.

SO YOU ARE GOING TO THE US?

I’m going to the States in September. I’m studying there. Babalik pa naman ako every now and then for some events and for some contracts that I have here. But, yes, I’m moving there for good.

WHY FOR GOOD?
Kasi ever since I really wanted to study abroad. This time, there’s an opportunity na talaga and I can study na talaga. I want to.

WHAT IS THE REAL SCORE BETWEEN YOU AND BENJAMIN ALVES?
Hindi ko po siya boyfriend. We are not even dating. People saw us at Cinemalaya and they said it was a date. I was with Jonas (Gauffud, her manager) and Cheska (a friend) that night. It was the four of us. Benjamin is a very good friend of mine. We go to the same church. We eat after church with our other friends.

HOW WILL  YOU EXPLAIN YOUR BREAK-UP WITH JAYPEE?
I kept quiet during that time. There’s nothing I can say that can actually change what people think kasi it’s already set in their mind. Parang ako, I think it’s better na tumahimik muna I think I was misunderstood. Parang iba 'yung na-perceive nung tao, [that I dumped Jaypee without mercy]. There’s a bigger story behind that breakup. I want to keep it private as much as possible but hindi lang 'yung The Script issue. It’s more than that. [The breakup] was a mutual decision. I admit I was at fault because of what happened. The ‘Kris TV’ interview, it was my fault. But the breakup, kaming dalawa ang involved doon eh. May dahilan pa. Before the concert, before everything popped out, hindi lang iyon ang story.

WAS O’DONOGHUE ONE OF THE REASON?
Yes. Of course, I admit I got attracted. I said that on ‘Kris TV.’ Who wouldn’t? I love the band, I love their music a lot. I got attracted. Yes, nagselos [si Jaypee]. I think one of the reasons (iyon) but hindi iyon ang main reason.

DID O’DONOGHUE COURT YOU?
Natawa ako sa issue na we are dating. Unang una, how can it happen, he’s in the other side of the world? I think we just talked. Of course, I admit I got attracted. But no, [hindi nanligaw].