Actress Yen Santos wrote a short but sweet message for her boyfriend, actor and host Paolo Contis.

On her social media account, Yen posted a message for the actor’s 40th birthday, calling him her best friend.

“screaming happy 40th birthday to my best friend!👫thank you for everything you do. 💙,” the former Halik star said.

Along with the actress's post were photos of herself and Paolo, his throwback photo, as well as a video of the actor happily blowing out a birthday candle on what seemed to be a date.

Yen’s birthday post for Paolo was her most recent post after being on a social media hiatus.

The couple starred together in the movie A Faraway Land. The two then became good friends.

In 2021, the actress was rumored to be the third party that led to Paolo and former actress LJ Reyes’s break up. Netizens speculated as they were seen spending time together in Baguio.

LJ and Paolo have a daughter, Summer, who is currently residing with her mom in the US.

In an interview, Paolo admitted that his relationship with his then-partner LJ hadn't been okay long before Yen entered the picture.

“Hindi. Somehow, medyo matagal na kaming hindi okay ni LJ. Pero we were together of course. Napapadalas yung away and everything, I think it’s a combination of the stress sa pandemic. One of my biggest mistakes was hindi ko inalala yung mental health ni LJ, isa yun sa feeling ko naging simula ng downfall namin,” he shared.

In early 2023, Paolo then confirmed his and Yen’s relationship, months after the rumors, during his guest appearance on Fast Talk With Boy Abunda.

READ: Paolo Contis confirms relationship with Yen Santos      

“Ang sa'min kasi, kumbaga, what you see is what you get na naman e, 'di ba? Hindi na namin pwedeng ipilit 'yung tao to be happy for us, hindi na namin pwedeng ipilit 'yung mga tao na paniwalaan 'yung gusto nilang paniwalaan. Sana lang isipin nila na kung ano lang 'yung nakikita nilang naka-post, 'yung lang ang truth na alam nila,” the actor further explained.

In an episode of Updated with Nelson Canlas, the actor said that he fell in love with Yen when the actress chose to be with him, despite the criticisms they got.

“When the whole crucifixion started, she had every opportunity to leave [me], but she stayed,” Paolo said.

“Ang laki-laking bagay kasi nung mga time na 'you, pinag-uusapan namin 'yun na mahirap, yes, nagkaroon pa nga ng time na nag social media hiatus [siya],” he added.“She did everything she [could] to not get affected as long as kumbaga nakakapag-usap kami and okay kami.” 

READ: Paolo Contis on cheating: ‘Kung may ginawa kang masama, be man enough to admit it’

Besides Yen, several stars such as Kaye Abad, Kokoy de Santos, and Gio Alvarez also greeted the actor on his special day.

“Kunnamya Pao- Happy Happy birthday Papa Bear! Thank you for always taking care of us and for always looking out for me A Thank you for your patience, dahil bawal ka pa kumain unless kakain na ako love you so much kuva pao will always be your Marisol sir Otto @paolo contis,” young actress Cassy Legazpi wrote in her Instagram story.

The two worked together on GMA 7’s noontime show Tahanang Pinakamasaya, which concluded on March 2.