Actor Jake Cuenca has confirmed that he and actress-beauty queen Rabiya Mateo are officially a couple, ending months of speculation after a series of public sightings and social media posts linked the two together.
Cuenca made the confirmation during his May 27 guesting on Fast Talk with Boy Abunda, where he was asked directly about the status of his relationship with Mateo. “Kami na,” he said, adding that he was proud to be with someone he described as “an amazing woman” and “very intelligent.”
The admission marks a shift from Cuenca’s earlier statement in April, when he confirmed only that he and Mateo were “exclusively dating.” At the time, the confirmation followed weeks of rumors after the two were seen together in public.
Cuenca shared that the romance began through social media. According to the actor, he first liked Mateo’s posts, followed her account, then eventually sent her a direct message because they belonged to different networks and were unlikely to cross paths naturally.
“She’s always definitely been a crush of mine,” Cuenca said, explaining that he decided to “shoot his shot” after finishing his work commitments.
The actor also said he admires Mateo’s decision to temporarily step back from show business to pursue medicine at the University of Santo Tomas. He described her dedication to the long academic journey as something he finds refreshing and admirable.
Mateo, Miss Universe Philippines 2020, recently shared that she had been accepted into UST’s medical school, a milestone that drew public support from Cuenca. The two also spent time in Hong Kong before the start of her medical studies, with Mateo posting photos from Hong Kong Disneyland and writing that she was enjoying a few more trips before entering med school.
Their relationship had drawn attention earlier this month when they appeared together as presenters during the Miss Universe Philippines 2026 coronation night at the Mall of Asia Arena. The appearance further fueled speculation, with observers asking whether the event served as a public hard launch of their relationship.
Cuenca’s confirmation also came during a sentimental return to GMA Network, where he began his showbiz career before moving to ABS-CBN in 2006. In the same interview, he looked back on his early years in the industry, including his first projects and experiences as a young actor.
For fans, the confirmation closes one chapter of speculation and opens a new one for the celebrity pair, whose relationship now moves forward with Mateo preparing for medical school and Cuenca continuing his acting career.