Speculations are swirling around Kapuso actress Kate Valdez and former Pinoy Big Brother housemate Fumiya Sankai, as the two were recently spotted enjoying a trip to Hong Kong Disneyland together.
Kate celebrated her 24th birthday at the famous landmark on August 21, sharing a series of photos from the trip on Instagram, where she looked visibly happy in the company of Fumiya.
“Thank you for making my birthday so magical 😍✨💫 and for making the kid in me feel so happy @fumi.japan 🥹🤍,” Kate thanked Fumiya in the caption of her post.
Fumiya also commented on the post, writing, “Happy birthday” accompanied by a flaming heart sign and a hand gesture emoji that netizens assumed was a “lowkey” expression of love.
Kate also posted a video of them doing a dance challenge together to a Japanese song.
This has further led many to wonder if the two have taken their friendship to the next level.
In Kate’s interview on 24 Oras which aired on Tuesday evening, she eventually opened up about her Hong Kong trip and her growing closeness with Fumiya.
She revealed that the Disneyland trip was a gift from Fumiya, who wanted to spend her special day with her.
“Actually, yung trip na yun, it was a gift for me from him. Gusto niyang i-spend yung special day ko with me,” Kate shared, “So, tinanong niya ako kung ano yung gusto ko. And then I told him na, ‘Parang gusto kong ma-experience yung Disneyland.'”
Kate also praised Fumiya’s kindness, saying that she feels “very at peace” when she is with him.
“Sobra po, parang I’m very at peace when I’m with him,” she added.
When asked if they are dating, Kate played coy but hinted at their strong connection.
“Sobrang happy kami sa isa’t isa, sa presence ng isa’t isa,” she described their relationship.
Valdez was then directly asked if she is currently in love, to which she responded with, “Yes, yes, sobra. And I’m happy, and I’m grateful for him.”
Kate also disclosed that she and Fumiya met through mutual friends and that their relationship blossomed from there.
“Sa mga friends, ganyan. Tapos attending sa event. Kasi now, he’s an artist na,” she explained,” He’s making songs, music, ganyan, so um-attend ako, and then I met him. And then, yun, tuluy-tuloy na po.”
Fumiya rose to popularity since his stint as the first pure Japanese housemate on Pinoy Big Brother: Otso in 2018, where he finished as the 5th big placer.
Meanwhile, Kate is known for her roles in Kapuso shows including Encantadia, Onanay, and Anak ni Waray vs. Anak ni Biday. She is set to appear in the upcoming Philippine remake of the hit K-drama Shining Inheritance, alongside Kyline Alcantara, Michael Sager, Paul Salas, and Coney Reyes.
She was previously in a relationship with actor Yasser Marta, but they broke up in 2023.
