Matteo won’t be a dad... yet!

MANILA, Philippines – Matteo Guidicelli only had two words to say to an aunt who congratulated him after hearing rumors that his girlfriend Sarah Geronimo is pregnant: Thank you.

He was just joking, of course. Matteo’s parents knew better. They’re sure their son won’t be a first-time dad anytime soon.

“They know the truth,” Matteo told the press after Sun Life Asset Management Company, Inc. (SLAMCI) presented its latest TVC starring the actor-athlete.

Although Matteo admits Sarah is “The One,” he knows they still have dreams to fulfill on their own. Marriage is out of the question, even as he says “the time will come” for that.

Matteo knows getting hitched is no laughing matter, although he admits feeling pressured over reports that Sarah wants to settle down in 2018.

If and when that day comes, Matteo will be more than ready. As a nod to his roots, he opened Trattoria de Gianni, an Italian restaurant in Cebu, where he was born. It’s a first for him.

He and his partners also put up a production company called Big Bang that specializes in concert videos.

As if this isn’t enough, Matteo invested in Sun Life mutual funds, which a financial advisor handles so he can get maximum returns for his money.

Matteo believes in getting professional help, be it for his finances or his chosen sport.

 “I need a triathlon coach because I’m busy. My personal coach will guide me on the proper way of training so I won’t get injured.”

Matteo thinks financial advisers are just as crucial.

“They know what they’re doing. They’ll make your money grow for you.”

The 26-year-old Matteo started learning about the importance of saving and investing early on from his financially-savvy dad.

“When I started in showbiz 10 years ago, my dad was very strict about saving my money,” he recalls. “He’d get mad if I spent more than I earned.”

Even now that he’s grown up, Matteo heeds his dad’s advice of choosing a van over a sports car. The former costs less and is therefore more practical.

Result: Matteo has money for his businesses and mutual fund investments, plus a sports foundation which supports 15 athletes from the grassroots.

Showbiz, after all, is just one of Matteo’s many interests. He climbs mountains, like the one in Pico de Loro, where he and Sarah went to on her 28th birthday last July.

“It’s very important to have a life outside showbiz. I tell this to Sarah and my friends. It’s nice to go to the beach by yourself to feed your soul. You can’t be stuck with one thing. There are so many things you can see.”

This is why he loves seeing Sarah climbing mountains, taking up culinary arts and doing what makes her happy.

“She deserves to enjoy life,” Matteo points out.

He’s proud of the kind of person his girlfriend is turning out to be. Matteo describes Sarah as a “free spirit,” more independent and willing to spread her wings even more.

So if Sarah wants to climb more mountains, he’ll go with her. If pole dancing is her cup of tea, he’ll let her be.

“Pole dancing is sexy,” Matteo flashes a naughty smile.

The Dolce Amore star then turns serious as he talks about how much he wants Sarah to experiment with new things and outdo herself.

“She’s 28. Medyo lampas na sa oras,” he observes. “I try to influence her the good way and to be the best person I can be as her boyfriend.”

Bashers will always be there. But Matteo doesn’t mind. He thinks what others say is not as important as what he and Sarah feel for each other.

“You have to go back to the reason why you love each other. You must be strong in your foundation. We’re not supermen. We get affected at the end of the day.”

But Matteo believes his girlfriend has the inner strength to fight for what she wants — especially something as worthy as their relationship.

He gushes, “She’s the better endorser and a great role model to the youth. We’re opposites, but we complement each other. She makes me feel better and makes me feel I have wings.”

The guy is head over heels in love. And preparing for his and Sarah’s future by investing his hard-earned money is one way of showing this. It’s his vote of confidence in their future, his way of saying he’ll provide for her as the head of the family someday.

“Family is very important to me. My family wants me to end up with an amazing woman, and I want to have a good family someday,” Matteo says.

At the rate he’s going, it seems Matteo will get exactly what he wants.