Neil Arce, Barbie Imperial and Richard Gutierrez. Image: Instagram/@neil_arce, Facebook/Manila Restaurant
Neil Arce jokingly told Barbie Imperial that he is still rooting for “ChardGel,” his wife Angel Locsin’s former love team with Richard Gutierrez, after the “Incognito” actor spoke publicly about his rumored romance with the younger actress.
Arce made the teasing remark through a direct message, sharing the screenshot of his exchange with Imperial via his Instagram Stories on Thursday, Jan. 16.
Arce sent Imperial a photo of two individuals watching Gutierrez’s recent interview with showbiz reporter Ogie Diaz, wherein the actor addressed for the first time the dating rumors hounding him and the actress.
“ChardGel pa rin,” Arce quipped alongside the photo.
“Same,” Imperial replied. “Bagay talaga sila, bro. Grabe ‘yung chemistry.”
Image: Instagram/@neil_arce
Gutierrez and Locsin starred in the 2004 TV series “Mulawin,” where their “mutual understanding” started. The love-team partners’ romance did not blossom into an official relationship, but they said they share a special friendship.
While Gutierrez did not confirm outright the real score between him and Imperial in his recent interview, the actor said that “what you see is what you get” in their relationship.
He further clarified that Imperial was not a third party in his breakup with his actress wife Sarah Lahbati.
“Nung nakilala ko si Barbie, matagal na kaming nagkahiwalay ng landas ni Sarah,” he noted. “[Bilang lalaki], kailangan ko siyang protektahan.”