While avid viewers of the controversial crime-drama series Dirty Linen have been shipping his character Aidan Fiero to lead heroine Alexa Salvacion played by Janine Gutierrez, bankable heartthrob Zanjoe Marudo is actually happy and very much in love to his girlfriend, actress Ria Atayde.

It can be recalled that they got to work together in the 2017 ABS-CBN family drama My Dear Heart, wherein they portrayed the roles of former flames Jude and Gia, who were oblivious that they actually share a child. However, they seemingly grew closer when they became part of the same squad, which also includes formidable celebrity couple Daniel Padilla and Kathryn Bernardo.

Being spotted together a number of times, their closeness sparked rumors that they’re already an item. And after keeping mum about it for quite some time, the two finally admitted their relationship recently, which they further confirmed by posting pictures of them on Instagram that earned thousands of likes and loving comments from their supporters.

He was seen joining a few family events of the Ataydes and going on trips around the Philippines and abroad with their friends. And just recently, Ria joined her boyfriend and their friends Daniel, Kathryn, and Joshua Garcia as they hopped on to their “G! Kapamilya” Tour in Barcelona, Spain; Milan, Italy; and next in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

It was Zanjoe who first confirmed their relationship through an interview with veteran broadcast journalist Karen Davila in the ANC talk show Headstart by confessing straight out that “yes,” they’re already an item and expounded, “Parang it’s out in the open naman na, so yes.”

Ria, on the other hand, first talked about it the media conference of a liquor brand she’s endorsing, wherein she divulged that she didn’t necessarily have to ask for his approval in doing the project that required her to show skin but only tell him about it.

With regards to keeping their relationship low-key, she impressively said, “I think there’s a lot more peace in keeping things private. I know I am a public figure and that does come with the territory. Pero feel ko, the status is already so public, why do I have to make other things about it private. Okay na ako na alam ng tao, okay na ‘yon. But to know the ins and outs…’wag na.”

As they started out as friends, Ria implied that it’s actually a good foundation for any relationship, and “getting to know each other on that level and then progressing is always a beautiful story.”

With her mom, veteran actress Sylvia Sanchez, as the one who initially teased about their budding romance then through an interview, Ria disclosed that she, her dad, and their entire family are actually supportive of their relationship and actually don’t meddle with them.

They may have 10 years between them – Zanjoe being 40 and Ria being 30 at present – but this seems to be not an issue for them as the two have really hit it off. Take a glimpse on the blooming romance of Zanjoe and Ria through their sweet and adorable photos together in this gallery.