Age gaps can be a point of stress for couples. But not for Ricci Rivero and Leren Bautista who never think of their age as a factor in their compatibility.
Ricci is five years Leren’s junior and that slight age difference is like a magnet for other people to make snippy comments. However, the beauty queen-turned-politician can be witty at answering back those who are not so pleased with their romance.
“Natatawa rin lang ako. ‘Pag sinasabi nila, tita daw ako ni Ricci, (sinasabi ko), ‘Hindi naman, tita, ate lang,” said Leren with a laugh.
Ricci, on the other hand, doesn’t care much about criticism of their age difference.
“In terms of age gap, we understand each other very well. With the level of maturity that he has, parang sabi ko nga mas mature pa siya sa akin, pero ako ‘yung mas matanda,” offered Leren who I met during the 2019 Binibining Pilipinas pageant.
The two crossed paths in the feeding program held last year in Los Baños, Laguna in celebration of Ricci’s birthday. Leren, a councilor in Los Baños, was invited to participate in the event.
“Actually, Tito Boy, hindi kaming dalawa ang nag-start niyan. I just came from Isabela before the plan of holding a feeding program in Laguna. I asked my friend kung may kakilala siya na p’wedeng mag-organize kasi yearly ginagawa ko siya talaga, especially before the pandemic and then almost the whole duration of pandemic, we tried to help and give. So, we never really knew each other until the feeding program,” Ricci narrated.
Leren’s first impression of the basketball star was, “Artista nga talaga siya, parang suplado,” she recalled with an apology that her description may come a bit offensive to other people.
Although Leren never denied how she admired Ricci’s act of kindness “because when he came to help our community and to have a meaningful birthday celebration with the children in Los Baños, it was really different. Not everybody does that.”
“Ako naman, before as a beauty queen, we would do charity work also at natuwa ako na meron silang heart to do that also and to bring joy to the people, iba ang nagagawa nun sa pakiramdam ng isang tao,” she added.
“She’s fun to be with,” said Ricci of Leren who amusingly confessed that she is the “selosa” and the “kuripot” between them. Ricci, in turn, admitted that it was he who made the first move and the first one who said, “I love you.” He confirmed his romance with Leren in October with a heartwarming message about finding the “right one.”
I asked Ricci if a “pamanhikan” would be next, the cager replied, “Sana, Tito Boy. Kinakabahan ako pero sana.”
Leren agreed it would be something to feel nervous about “because it’s a big commitment.”
Ricci continued, “Kami may mga pinag-usapan na rin kami because we have friends who are engaged or planning their wedding. We believe it does not depend on how long you are engaged or what but it’s when you feel that you already know each other on a deeper level like for example if there are challenges in (the relationship), how ready can you deal with them and how badly you want to make the relationship work.”
Leren finds nothing wrong in a long engagement for the couple to learn to adjust to each other. “But if you feel you are ready to commit yourself to your partner, then there is no need for a long engagement.”
Ricci deems it best not to rush things, especially on love.
“Hindi n’yo kailangan madaliin. Hindi n’yo rin naman kailangan intentionally i-delay. Basta go with the flow lang kayo, but the intent of getting to know each other more has to be there,” he said.
“Kasi kahit gaano katagal ‘yan, ang sabi nga ‘pag may nakakausap tayong matatanda, kahit ‘yung Lolo at Lola natin, may mga bago pa rin silang natututunan sa isa’t-isa, hindi siya nag-stop. May mga ayaw pa rin tayo na gagawin ng partner natin na first time natin makikita kahit sobrang tagal n’yo na,” he furthered.
For Leren, the focus must be on how a couple communicates with each other given that although they are partners, they still have different preferences and views. “And, of course, the choice to stick with your partner whatever happens, despite experiencing challenges.”
