Iza Calzado: 'Victor Neri inspired me to become a good actress'

MANILA, Philippines - Iza Calzado admitted that she had a “brief” relationship with Victor Neri in the past.

“Dating magkahawak ang kamay namin...briefly!” Iza said laughing during the press conference of the show “Hawak Kamay” where she stars with Piolo Pascual, Nikki Gil, and Victor Neri.

Despite their short-lived romance, Iza says she and Victor remained friends until Victor took a very long break from showbiz in 2007.

Iza, meanwhile, announced that Victor is making a comeback in showbiz.

“Isang araw tumawag na lang sa akin ang manager ko, si Noel Ferrer, nagtatanong, nagpapaalam kung puwedeng maging kapatid namin sa grupong mina-manage niya si Victor Neri,” she said.

“I was, 'oh my god, buhay pa siya!'” Iza recalled which elicited laugher from the crowd. "So noong unang beses na magkita kami sa set ako pa ang tanong nang tanong, 'Andyan na si Victor?' Kasi gusto ko maki-tsimis kung anong nangyari sa buhay niya."

As they catch up on each others' lives, Iza says “I'm happy to see that he has found his center, and he's very happy.”

Iza then related that Victor was the reason why she is an actress right now.

“Lagi po akong pinapangaralan nyan, 'you want to be a good actress? Do this, do that, please your director,' ang dami pong tinuro sa akin. So malaking parte po siya kung bakit pinag-igihan ko rin at bakit marami po akong natutunan sa kanya...kahit ilang buwan lang po ang aming pagsasama," she said.