JaBea happy together

MANILA, Philippines - Although they admit to clash on certain things at times, Jake Vargas and Bea Binene claim that they are already past that stage of arguing over petty matters.

Bea stresses their now two-and-a half-year relationship is flowing smoothly as they have learned to choose their “battles” wisely and settle their differences calmly. “By now, we know how to handle stuff without having to fight,” says Bea. “We sit down and talk to clear whatever is bugging us. We no longer argue in an instant; na di lahat away, away, away.”

Jake agrees their relationship is more mature compared before. “Actually, we have become stronger now. ‘Yung mga problema, pinag-uusapan namin agad at di na pinapatagal pa.” 

But Bea brushes off nasty talks about initiating an argument most of the time being the domineering type. “All I can say is we are transparent to each other. I know what he feels and he is also aware about how I feel.”

The young Kapuso star also clears rumors that Jake is a “battered boyfriend” saying that not once did she resort to any physical violence. “I am one of the boys even if you ask my male friends, may friendly suntok sa tyan yun lang po.”

She knows that most young televiewers, who fondly refer to them as JaBea, see them as role models. “Siguro nasa pag handle lang talaga ng mga bagay-bagay. Me, I know my limits. Alam ko po kung ano at alin ang mga dapat na ginagawa ko at kung hanggang saan ako dapat pupunta.”

But there are times, Bea adds, that she tells Jake to be cautious of people who seem to be taking advantage of his kindness. “I don’t want to sound negative but I do hope that he should be aware up to what extent he can give to other people.”

For Jake, he sees nothing wrong about showing his true colors. “Ako kasi masyado kong koboy sa lahat ng bagay. It’s okay with me if there are people who take advantage of my kindness, totoong ako yun eh. It’s up to them; I don’t want to be plastic.”

His gentlemanly ways, Bea says, never fail to charm her to this day, especially when Jake does things that would make her feel so precious. It was only recently when Jake had her name tattooed on his right arm.

“He mentioned it to me one time but I never thought that he was serious on doing it because a tattoo is a permanent thing that even if you try to erase it, for sure there would still be a mark, so I was surprised when during the rehearsals for SAS (Sunday All Stars), he raised his right arm and I saw my name. Syempre po, I’m so happy.”  

“Bea is caring and she loves her family dearly. What I can’t take sometimes are her jealous fits, well, we are both jealous types pero may times talaga na bawal tumingin sa iba, hahaha,” says Jake.

Still, the two are happy together. More so now that they are both working for GMA 7’s latest primetime offering Strawberry Lane that is set to premiere tomorrow, Sept. 15. Bea deems it is easier to be paired with Jake since they know each other’s personality having been together for years now.

Does working together on-cam benefit their relationship? Jake answers in the positive believing that he can spend more time with Bea and take good care of her while working on the same project.

“It’s been a year since we had our last onscreen team-up (Home Sweet Home), so I’m excited for this not just for us but for the other teen stars whom we had worked with before. I’m sure each one of us will shine in the show,” affirms Bea.

(Strawberry Lane, directed by Don Michael Perez, also stars Joyce Ching, Kim Rodriguez, Joanna Marie Tan, Rita de Guzman, Kiko Estrada, Jeric Gonzales, TJ Trinidad, Christian Bautista, Sunshine Dizon, Sheryl Cruz, Chanda Romero and Boots Anson-Roa.)