Flonique Guimary

Carla Abellana shares story behind reuniting with her first love and now-husband Dr. Reginald Santos

Article (news)

Alyana De Guzman

Push Team

<p>Weeks after tying the knot in a private ceremony, Carla Abellana has shared how fate led her back to Dr. Reginald Santos, her high school sweetheart from over two decades ago, a reconnection that culminated in their marriage late last year. </p><p>Carla and Dr. Reginald tied the knot on December 27 in an intimate wedding officiated by Alfonso, Cavite mayor Randy Salamat attended by their families and closest friends.  </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2025/12/27/carla-abellana-weds-dr-reginald-santos-2136" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>READ: Carla Abellana weds Dr. Reginald Santos</strong></a></div><p>In an interview with journalist Dolly Anne Cavajal of <em>The Philippine Star</em>, Carla spoke about how she and Dr. Reginald found their way back to each other after more than 20 years apart. She shared that their reconnection happened at a time when both had just come from long-term relationships that had ended. </p><p>“We both just came from long-term relationships that had just ended. I came from a seven-and-a-half-year relationship that ended in a short-lived marriage, while he was previously engaged to someone he had been with for around nine years back then,” she said.  </p><p>According to Carla, it started with a simple holiday greeting when the doctor reached out to her on social media on Christmas.  </p><p>“One Christmas, he reached out on social media and greeted me, ‘Happy holidays.’ I greeted him back, but it wasn’t until about a month and a half after the holidays that we continued talking on social media. Eventually, we messaged each other directly when we both realized we still had each other’s cellphone numbers saved,” she recalled.  </p><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-5" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DTC5pG1kfhV/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=607&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A5%2C%22os%22%3A1726383.7000000002%2C%22ls%22%3A571934.7999999999%2C%22le%22%3A572400.6%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="1203" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-5" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>Reflecting on how their relationship has changed after two decades, Carla said their renewed love came at a time when both were more grounded and secure.  </p><p>“We are both at the right age and levels of maturity and security in life. We’ve both already gone through a lot in life apart, several long-term relationships, lots of work experiences, established careers, milestones and even heartbreaks,” she shared.  </p><p>“This time around, our love felt much better, right, peaceful, calm, secure and reassuring,” she added.  </p><p>Carla also spoke fondly about what she values most in her husband, describing Dr. Reginald as a steady and loving partner. “He’s the most wonderful partner. He is calm, loving, so caring, hilarious, responsible, mature, gentle, admirable, hardworking, passionate at what he does, and best of all, his words match his actions. He shows me how much he adores me, loves me, and prioritizes me above all.”  </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2025/12/29/carla-abellana-shares-touching-wedding-vows-to-now-husband-dr-reginald-santos-0949" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>READ: Carla Abellana shares touching wedding vows to now-husband Dr. Reginald Santos: &#x27;Who would have known it was still going to be us in the end&#x27;</strong></a></div><p>When asked about lessons from her previous marriage that she would bring into her new one, Carla was candid about her experience.  </p><p>“Quite honestly, I didn’t even feel and experience what it was like to be married because my marriage back then only lasted seven weeks. There wasn’t even enough time for me to learn any lesson from the marriage alone, given that it was short-lived,” the actress maintained.  </p><p>Carla was previously married to fellow actor Tom Rodriguez but soon ended their relationship after the wedding. In 2022, their divorce was finalized in the US where Tom is a citizen. By 2024, their separation was legally recognized by Philippine courts. </p><p>She added that it was still too early to reflect on lessons from her current marriage, noting, “It’s also a bit too early to learn lessons now that I’m married again, simply because it hasn’t even been two weeks since our wedding.” </p><p>Carla also offered words for women who may be hesitant to give marriage another chance. She acknowledged those feelings, saying, “I don’t blame you. I was once just like you because I really thought I was done.” </p><p>“I had come to the belief that I was meant to be alone for the rest of my life and that I was meant to take care of myself and my family alone.” She emphasized understanding and self-compassion, adding, “Just know that how you feel is valid and that there’s nothing wrong with believing marriage isn’t for you anymore.”  </p><p>“Just keep on praying and loving yourself just as God loves you. Focus on your healing and believe that one way or another, the love you give to the world will always find its way back to you in more ways than one,” she assured.  </p><p>Following their wedding, Carla shared glimpses of their special day on Instagram, including parts of their wedding vows. In her post, she referred to Dr. Reginald as her “first and last”.  </p><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-6" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DSzwPSlEdvj/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=607&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A6%2C%22os%22%3A1726391.2000000002%2C%22ls%22%3A571934.7999999999%2C%22le%22%3A572400.6%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="987" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-6" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>“My first and last. A love story over 20 years in the making. Two lives coming full circle. This is our story. — Dr. and Mrs. Reginald Santos 🤍,” she wrote. </p><p>The video featured the couple’s emotional exchange of vows. Carla reflected on their journey, saying, “Sometimes, the bad things that happen to us in our lives put us directly on the path towards the most wonderful things that will ever happen to us. Who would have known it was still going to be us in the end. Just when I stop looking for anything or anyone, life surprises me in the most unexpected way. It felt familiar. It wasn’t messy or uncertain. It was real. It was healthy.” </p><p>For his part, Dr. Reginald recalled how his feelings for Carla began when they were still young. “Hi, my love. You look beautiful as always. It is the same beauty that captivated me since I first laid my eyes on you,” he said. “I can still vividly remember we were in high school. We were just young back then. We fell in love and then life had interim plans for us.”  </p><p>He added that their reunion came at the right time, saying, “You were as I remember — kind, loving, selfless and God-fearing. We reconnected at a perfect time. We are now the best version of ourselves.” </p><p>Carla also expressed gratitude for finding their way back, sharing, “I can never imagine my life, or my life would be if we never met again. I never laughed so good, ate so much, slept comfortably, learned a lot about life, communicated well, been taken care of this way and so much more before you happened again. I love you with everything I am.” </p><p>Dr. Reginald had the same sentiments, saying, “Having you back in my life made me feel better about everything. Everything is more enjoyable now, from our simple TV nights to traveling the world with you. Life is beautiful because you are in it.” </p><p>“Thank you Lord, most importantly, for now giving my clearest answer to all my painful whys — as a wife with a ring on my finger and my heart full of gratitude,” the actress expressed.  </p><p>Dr. Reginald concluded his vows, stating, “I was lost trying to find myself. I was lost trying to find my way home, trying to find peace. But ultimately, every single step was worth it. I’m home at last.” </p><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-7" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DS7cF2BkdKj/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=607&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A7%2C%22os%22%3A1726397%2C%22ls%22%3A571934.7999999999%2C%22le%22%3A572400.6%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="1041" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-7" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>In another post, Carla shared more photos from their wedding, reflecting on a love that found its way back.  </p><p>“When the time is right, I the Lord will make it happen. – Isaiah 60:22 </p><p>Different lives but almost the exact same journey. A love that was once lost has found its way back home. 🤍,” she captioned.</p>

<p>Two weeks after their private wedding, actress Carla Abellana opens up about how she reconnected with her high school sweetheart, Dr. Reginald Santos. </p>

Two weeks after their private wedding, actress Carla Abellana opens up about how she reconnected with her high school sweetheart, Dr. Reginald Santos.