In a rare face-to-face with TV host Boy Abunda, Alden Richards did not hesitate to answer questions about his personal life, including when he last had a romantic relationship. Richards, a contract artist of GMA-7, became a first-time guest on ABS-CBN’s “Tonight with Boy Abunda” as part of the promotion of his film “Hello, Love, Goodbye” opposite Kapamilya leading lady Kathryn Bernardo.

The OFW drama is produced by ABS-CBN Films’ Star Cinema, paving the way for Richards’ appearances on programs of the No. 1 network.

Richards was recalling an amusing encounter with the father of one of his fans, who requested the actor to marry his daughter. Richards mentioned being single, prompting Abunda to quiz him on the last time he was attached romantically.

“It was a long time [ago]. I was in college. That was the last,” Richards said.

Abunda’s follow-up question touched on whether Richards ever fell in love with an actress. He answered in the affirmative.

Asked to explain why that did not lead to a relationship, Richards went on: “Siguro po, there’s a point in a relationship and in life, na sometimes, no matter how strong the feelings are towards a person, minsan hindi talaga kayo nagkakaintindihan… Hindi po umabot sa naging kami.”

Abunda, regarded as local showbiz’s “King of Talk,” spoke with Richards on a range of topics, including his part as Ethan in “Hello, Love, Goodbye,” and his past rejections as a then-aspiring actor.

“From that 10-year journey, even way before showbiz, it’s really the struggle of rejection,” he said, when asked what he considers the most difficult part of his career.

“You’ve tried so many times, you’ve given all you’ve got, but still you get no for an answer. Mas marami po ‘yung no.”

Throughout the interview, Abunda addressed Richards by his real name, Richard Faulkerson. It was revealed that several years prior to his launching as Alden Richards, he had sought to be managed by Abunda, but that meeting ultimately did not come to fruition.

“Ang laki nga ng pagsisisi ko!” Abunda said, in jest. “Ang yaman ko na siguro kung talagang na-manage kita!”

Richards, however, was only gracious as he thanked Abunda for guiding him during through the earliest stages of his pursuit of stardom.