PEP: Paulo Avelino denies romantic relationship with LJ Reyes

Last week, a report in PEP Alerts said that StarStruck graduates Paulo Avelino and LJ Reyes were reportedly seen at the arrival area of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport where "[they] embraced each other tightly and kissed on the lips!" However, Paulo denied this report Monday (November 16), during the media junket prepared for the segment hosts of StarStruck V at GMA Network building in Quezon City. "'Yong sa airport, hindi naman [totoo]!" he laughed. "Doon, nagulat talaga ako. Nagulat nga po ako at naghahalikan daw. Kung may susunduin man ako sa airport, bakit ko naman po hahalikan at yayakapin sa gitna ng maraming tao?" Although Paulo swears that this incident did not happen, the young Kapuso actor did not deny the other sightings of him and LJ. He also defended that this doesn't mean they're already in a relationship. He explained, "Ewan ko, kasi 'yong iba naman totoo, 'yong iba naman hindi. Pero hindi naman po ibig sabihin na kunwari nagkita kaming magkasama, parang may relasyon nang namamagitan sa amin, nag-iibigan na kami. Magkaibigan lang talaga kami." Since this issue came out, Paulo said that it somehow affected his friendship with LJ. "Medyo nag-iiwasan, pero wala namang dapat maapektuhan sa pagkakaibigan namin. Minsan, like, noong nagsu-shoot kami for StarStruck, medyo parang awkward na kasi baka isipin na naman ng mga tao may namamagitan, e." He added, "'Yong iwasan na 'yon, parang wala lang. Parang nagkakailangan lang dahil sa mga isyu na rin siguro. Pero hindi naman naapektuhan ang working relationship namin, very professional din naman si LJ. At saka yung friendship namin hindi naman siguro magbabago 'yon." Is it not possible for him to fall for LJ? "Sa ngayon po, friends po talaga," answered Paulo. "Ewan ko, baka dumating ang time na isuka ko ang sinasabi ko. Hindi ko sinasabi na walang pag-asang mahulog ako sa kanya. Pero sa ngayon, gusto ko pong i-maintain ang friendship namin para walang masira sa amin, mag-last ang friendship namin." Paulo and LJ are two of the four segment hosts of Shout Out: The StarStruck Dailies, along with Mark Herras and Arci Muñoz. - Nerisa Almo, PEP