Celebrities who hard-launched their relationships in 2024

Xian Lim and Iris Lee

Actor Xian Lim launched his relationship with film producer Iris Lee in May this year, first by talking about it in a magazine interview, then subsequently posting Instagram photos of their trip to Thailand for a location shoot. Among the behind-the-scenes photos was one with the pair sitting on director’s chairs for Kuman Thong, a thriller film with both their names in the credits as writers.

The pair may be busy with their respective schedules but appear to make time for each other, as evidenced by Iris’ posts of them on July 21 from Taiwan, a video of them playing the piano in Hong Kong on Sept. 1, and more recently at a shooting range in Clark Pampanga on Nov. 30. 

JM de Guzman and Donnalyn Bartolome

It was a pairing that nobody saw coming, but influencer Donnalyn Bartolome and actor JM de Guzman are a couple, as announced by the content creator who gushed about their relationship in a social media post on June 28. 

The pair crossed paths in February 2022. “He made me pinky promise to do a fun collab with him... tawang tawa ako kasi wala akong maalalang lalaki na kilala kong nakikipag-pinky promise,” she detailed. 

She added, "During our exclusively dating phase, we assured each other of promise rings, linked to the first promise we'd made to each other—a pinky kind for when we're finally ready to be officially in a relationship.”

Donnalyn said she and JM went to Japan together to let her parents know they are dating in June 2023. They went public with their relationship a year later in June 2024.

October saw snaps of the two from his birthday celebration, with a sweet message from Donnalyn that read, “Before your (birth month) ends, happy birthday (again) Juan Miguel~ I’m so proud of you. I pray for your happiness, (and peace) and for you to receive all the blessings you so much deserve. I adore you! Lalo 'pag bagong ligo."

JM has since participated in Donnalyn’s vlogs, including an extreme challenge to win a car, and he has also recently posted his own Instagram account a video of them lounging on a couch as he mouths a comedic monologue titled Lambingin Mo Ako. 

Mew and Tul

Overseas, love truly wins as Thai Boys' Love (BL) actors Mew Suppasit and Tul Pakorn confirmed their relationship in an episode of My Ambulove in July after being the subjects of dating rumors for several months, fueled by their on-cam chemistry. The episode of the show takes place in a car, starting off with Mew saying he’s grown up a lot and that the person about to get in the car and reveal himself to audiences as his partner calms him down and allows him to see the world through a different perspective. That was Tul’s cue to enter.

The two talked about how they met 10 years ago, with the two of them sitting beside each other at an event which they both attended to support their friends. The two became friends but did not start dating until much later. Tul studied in the US and Mew came over to visit him thrice, deepening their relationship. MewTul rumors were rife mainly because of their social media interactions.

Following the episode airing, Mew took to social media to post their travel adventure in Mongolia. He captioned his post "We survived Mongolia!" with Have You Seen My Boyfriend playing in the background.

They got engaged in October during a press conference for Mew’s new single Absence, which is about love and marriage. When asked about the inspiration for the track, he called Tul onstage then got down on knee asking Tul for his hand in marriage. A surprised Tul was initially speechless by the move, but also got down on one knee and accepted the proposal. They then exchanged rings and shared a kiss in front of delighted fans.

Jericho Rosales and Janine Gutierrez

Jericho Rosales and Janine Gutierrez kicked off their romance with a work-related meetup, a script reading for ABS-CBN teleserye Lavender Fields, which they both headline. He invited her for a script reading, as he explained to TV journalist Karen Davila in an interview, “she’s the only person I haven’t worked with. She was going to be my work wife, my wife in the show. All of the issues and decisions that my character was going to do with the show is because of the relationship they have."

They met at a coffee shop—he, armed with an iPad. “To cut the long story short, six hours later, we never got to open the iPad," he added. Instead, they spent what he described as quality time. "It ended like Japanese food at 3 p.m. and then she went to her Lola Pilita Corrales and that's it. And I was like, 'Wow, I can spend like three hours talking to this girl.' That's when I felt something," he told Davila. Jericho announced they are an item in August 2024.

The pair went to Japan this December, with him accompanying her to the 2024 Tokyo International Film Festival for her film Phantosmia. In her vlog, Janine shared touristy moments of them enjoying the food and the sights including Mt. Fuji. Jericho also shared how much fun he was having on their travels. "I am here because I want to let everyone know how amazing you are at finding great restaurants. Like so fast, so quick we ate at so many restaurants.” The good-looking pair also shared sweet moments onstage at the ABS-CBN Christmas Special 2024.

Kiefer Ravena and Diana Mackey

The engagement announcement of Binibining Pilipinas 2022 finalist and former Big Brother housemate Diana Mackey and basketball star Kiefer Ravena in October came as a surprise to fans and followers, especially since they only hard launched their relationship earlier that month.

The beauty queen posted pictures on her Instagram account which proudly displayed her diamond engagement ring with the caption, “Suddenly I'm left-handed.” The proposal took place in a busy street in Japan with close friends and family coming along on the trip. In his photos of their engagement, Kiefer captioned his own post as “An October to Remember.”

They became official on Instagram only a few days before, with Diana’s birthday greeting for Kiefer calling him “the best plot twist of my 2024.” Kiefer recently reciprocated on Diana’s birthday, saying, “This is your last birthday as a Ms.”

Bright Vachirawit and singer Nene

Two more of Thailand’s popular celebrities also hard-launched this year. Thai actor Bright Vachirawit admitted that he is dating Thai singer Pornnappan Pornpenpipat, also known as Nene, on social media. The post followed a video circulating online that showed them holding hands in Japan.

"I know there is recent news that might have caught you off guard. I just wanted to clarify a few things, especially for my fans who are always so caring and curious about how I am doing—yes, we are really dating. I'd like to apologize for shocking you with this news," Bright said.

"We truly had no intention of disrespecting anyone or causing harm. Those who have followed me for a long time know that I always strive to be respectful and true to myself. My focus is always on spreading love and positivity through my work and dedication," he added.

Bright also thanked his fans and hoped people would cheer for them. "I am incredibly grateful for everything that has shaped me into who I am today, and for all the love and support I've received. Thank you to all of you who continue to support and love me. It means a lot." He also said that Nene “is one of the most precious people I've met. She makes me feel warm and safe every day we've been together.” He ended the post with “I hope you guys will cheer for us."

Nene also addressed her fans on Instagram, saying "So, about the recent articles—yes, I’m currently in a relationship. Sorry for not being able to share this with you earlier before it made the news.”

The duo co-starred in the 2020 hit Boys' Love drama 2gether: The Series.

Kobe Paras and Kyline Alcantara

Basketball pro Kobe Paras revealed that he's dating Kyline Alcantara back in November. This, despite a non-committal response from the actress back in August, when a video of the two surfaced with Kyline sitting on the basketball players lap while he sang the Rivermaya tune Hinahanap-Hanap Kita. The video also captured a kiss from Kobe on her shoulder.

At the time, Kyline simply shrugged off the question on their relationship status and told newscast 24 Oras, “I feel like it’s my right to not answer or to answer questions… to deny nor confirm anything.” She kept the rumor mill at bay by adding, “Whatever they see is that’s what they’re gonna get.” Earlier speculations stemmed from photos of the same restaurant posted online around the same time around May.

Kobe revealed their real score via a Q&A with a local magazine by answering the question, “Who’s your crush?” He proceeded to name Kyline and reasoned, “because we’re dating.” He then described her as an attractive girl who is caring and respectful. 

The athlete spent Christmas with Kyline’s family, with a photo of Kobe in her Instagram post playing cards with her family. In a November interview with 24 Oras, Kobe said he will introduce Kyline to his mom's side of the family in California in 2025. His mother Jackie Forster is said to be supportive of the relationship. The pair was also together for a relief distribution activity in Bicol in the aftermath of Typhoon Kristine, which Kobe proudly shared was Kyline's idea.    

Sue Ramirez and Dominic Roque

Rounding out this year’s batch of hard-launched lovebirds are actor Dominic Roque and actress Sue Ramirez, who confirmed that they are dating this December.

Rumors started about the couple’s relationship status when they were spotted together in Siargao last November. Both were still somehow fresh from their respective uncouplings, with Dominic breaking up amicably with Bea Alonzo sometime in June, while Sue and Victorias City Mayor Javi Benitez broke up in July after a 5-year relationship. 

Dominic was asked about his attendance at the premiere night of Metro Manila Film Festival entry The Kingdom, which stars Sue alongside Vic Sotto, Piolo Pascual, and Cristine Reyes. After he jokingly replied he was there for himself, he admitted that he was there in support of Sue and his friend Cristine.

When pressed for a reaction to DominSue, the moniker given to their pairing by fans, Dominic replied, “Happy naman kami together. We're going out and, ayun, kinikilala namin ang isa't isa.”

Sue, for her part, simply told reporters at a press conference, “Basta I’m happy! We’re enjoying each other’s company. That’s all I can say for now.”

The two were out and about with Dominic’s friends Kathryn Bernardo and Alora Sasam. The latter posted a video of their dinner get-together at Judy Ann Santos’ restaurant Angrydobo, which showed the newly minted dating couple sitting next to each other.