With the world evolving, the new generation has also redefined what it means to 'connect' in this modern age, making the Gen Z dating scene an interesting territory. But while some might think young people dive headfirst into romance without much thought, the truth is they are intentional and surprisingly wise when it comes to matters of the heart.

Kapamilya heartthrob Kyle Echarri is no stranger to these themes. In the latest episode of “Kuan On One,” the Bisaya talk show hosted by our Kuantie Melai Cantiveros, Kyle broke down what it really means to navigate love in the digital age.

Kyle didn’t hold back, diving into topics like mutual understanding, respect in relationships, and how social media has completely changed the game. While Gen Z connections might feel fast-tracked thanks to DMs, Kyle still believes in the importance of courtship and taking time to truly get to know someone.

“It takes two to tango,” he emphasized, explaining that both parties in a relationship need to make adjustments and, more importantly, respect each other’s boundaries. Personally, his parents instilled in him the virtue of respect, and he was also taught to respect the parents of the person he’s dating.

M.U. or Mutual Understanding used to be a meaningful phase in building a connection. According to Kyle, M.U. came with clear boundaries and was often tied to courtship back then. But as the dating landscape changed, this once significant stage has turned into a gray area, often leaving people in emotional limbo. Kyle thinks this can be a red flag. Thus, he stressed the importance of communication in such situations, “’Yan ang problema sa M.U., kasi feeling mo hindi na kayo M.U. dahil ginagawa n’yo na ang lahat ng ginagawa ng mag-jowa. Pero wala pa rin dahil okay lang sa isang tao na M.U. lang kayo, parang walang label.”

When Kuantie Melai read a fan question asking Kyle’s advice on dealing with an M.U. situation while staying focused on studies, he gave a thoughtful response, urging them not to rush into a relationship. “Sana habang wala pa kayong relasyon, wala rin kayong ginagawa na parang may relasyon kayo. Dahil ‘yun ang makakasira sa inyo in the future,” he explained.

However, he also humorously admitted that he’s often drawn to red flags. “Baka gusto mo ng anghang sa buhay,” he quipped when asked if red flags deserve second chances. But on a serious note, he shared, “Well, obviously, we stay away from red flags as much as possible. Pero para sa akin, kung saan ka mag-grow siguro. I-try mo lang. Baka hindi naman.”

As for the “Bro Code,” he believes it boils down to communication and mutual respect between friends. “Nasa pagkakaibigan n’yo lang din ‘yan,” he said, highlighting that clear agreements can help prevent unnecessary conflicts when it comes to navigating relationships within a friend group.

One of the biggest misconceptions about Gen Z is that they’re in a rush to dive into serious relationships, often influenced by peer pressure. However, Kyle shared his belief that love should never be hurried. “‘Wag kang magmadali sa pagmamahal,” he emphasized, reacting to a netizen’s query about the pressure to date just because everyone else seems to be.

For Kyle, timing is everything, and he firmly believes in the value of self-love as a foundation for any relationship. That’s one of the reasons he remains single for now. “Hindi ko masabi na content na ako sa love ko para sa sarili ko. I still want to know so much about myself,” he admitted, stressing that entering a relationship without readiness can harm both parties involved.

Reflecting on his past, Kyle revealed that falling in love once led him to forget about himself. “Isang beses lang naman nangyari, so okay pa rin naman ako. Nakabalik pa rin naman ako. Nandito pa rin ako,” he shared with a smile. When Kuantie Melai cheekily pressed him about the identity of the person involved, he played coy, responding with a laugh, “Ambot," which means, "I don't know."

"Sobrang bata pa ako no’n,” he added with a shy grin. But how did he navigate the heartbreak? He shared that staying busy with work helped him move on. Instead of dwelling on the pain, he channeled his energy into appreciating other aspects of life, such as his passion for acting and singing. Besides, love comes in different forms. And for Kyle, his craft became a source of love during that period.

Of course, Kuantie Melai couldn’t resist teasing him further, dropping subtle hints about the girl who 'broke' his heart. “Kahit na na-brokenhearted ka, nakikita ko na you still go along together pa rin sa nag-break ng heart mo. You still care. And you protect,” she said, leaving Kyle in fits of laughter. While he didn’t confirm or deny anything, his reaction was enough to spark curiosity and keep the mystery alive.

Still, Kyle shared that his experience taught him a valuable lesson, which is the importance of forgiveness—not just toward others, but also toward life itself.

His mature outlook on life became even more evident during the darkest moment his family faced with the loss of his younger sister, Bela, to brain tumor back in 2023. Despite the tragedy, Kyle’s resilience shone through, a reflection of both his upbringing and the lessons he’s learned from the industry he’s grown up in. In the entertainment world, Kyle explained, maturity is a must, or you risk being eaten up. He also credited his family’s strong support system and the values they instilled in him as the foundation of his character.

But Kyle is quick to admit that he’s far from perfect. He's not always strong. He's human. His composure, though, comes from learning to let go of bitterness and focus on positivity. "Life is better smiling,” he said, a mantra he tries to live by even in the face of life’s challenges.

For a fun way to tackle Gen Z dating quirks and terms, Kyle joined Melai in a fun "Dakong Problema” segment, where they had to decode modern relationship lingo and act them out, starting off with the word "zombeing," which means someone resurfaces after ghosting you, as if nothing happened. While Melai's over-the-top acting was funny, Kyle's subtle smiles and glances brought 'kilig' to the scene!

Next up was “soft launch,” which Kyle explained as subtly revealing a relationship by posting hints about your partner, like a photo of their hand or back. To demonstrate, he hilariously took a soft-launch-worthy photo of Kuantie Melai.

Then came “DTR” or “define the relationship,” which they explained in an impromptu drama-comedy scene. The two enjoyed their playful banter so much that they imagined themselves starring in a Bisaya film and casting fellow BisDak artists like Maymay Entrata, Kim Chiu, JK Labajo, and Sylvia Sanchez. Well, who wouldn’t want to see this fun collaboration come to life?

To wrap up the fun and insightful discussion, both Kyle and Kuantie Melai shared their key takeaways from the episode. For them, being open-minded is essential in navigating not just the modern dating scene but life itself. “Life is what it is," said Kyle, emphasizing the importance of letting go when needed. But he also offered a balanced perspective, adding that while acceptance is important, so is having the courage to take risks. “Your future is always in your hands din. 'Wag kayong makalimot na walang mangyayari kung wala kang gagawin,” he advised his fellow Gen Zs.

For Kyle, life is about striking a balance between patience and proactivity. Just like in navigating today's dating quirks, it's knowing when to swipe left, and when to swipe right.