On two occasions that ABS-CBN.com spoke with Victor Basa—once during the ABS-CBN Christmas Special and at the shoot of May Bukas Pa, he confessed that he still holds special feelings for Valeen Montenegro. ABS-CBN.com then asked Valeen’s reaction about this during the story conference of Your Song Presents: Underage, and she shed some light on the reasons that led to their breakup. “Meron lang time na, ‘Okay, let’s try to see if things will work out.’ It was seriously fun. Hindi naman serious na you’ll get stressed because of the relationship. It was a ‘give and take’ thing. We were really close for almost a year. Pero eventually naging busy kami pareho. I became busy with school. Siguro ‘yung more than friendship that we had before, it’s something that I hold very special. But as time goes by kasi si God na rin ang magde-decide kung ano ang dapat para sa amin. No regrets. I was really happy with our decision. Siyempre may mga gusto rin siyang gawin sa buhay niya and I don’t want to keep him away from those things. Ako din naman, I’m still young, I don’t want to be tied down yet.”

Despite the split, the two managed to remain good friends although they seldom see each other. Victor, now starring in the top-rating teleserye May Bukas Pa, has chosen to be single at this time. On the other hand, Valeen told ABS-CBN.com that she is open to having relationship but that she prefers that the guy will not be from showbiz. “I’m open naman to have a relationship. Ang hindi ko lang alam kung ‘yung guy will be ready with me being so busy. May mga nanliligaw naman but no one from showbiz. Mas prefer ko na ganun. I have nothing against boyfriends from showbiz pero kasi you want din a life na alone lang kayo, ‘yung tipong kapag lumalabas kayo hindi kayo talk of the town. Kahit sino naman sigurong artista ang tanungin mo nami-miss ‘yung ganung life na hindi sila star.”

Valeen will next be seen playing the mean girl that will come in between Matt Evans and Melissa Ricks in Your Song Presents: Underage. This is Valeen’s second time to play part of a love triangle in the Your Song Presents series, the first one in the episode starring Rayver Cruz and Maja Salvador. Valeen talked about how she intends to portray her upcoming kontrabida role. “In my clothes and accessories, makita pa lang ako ng mga tao nakaka-intimidate na. Also with the way ng pananalita ko. Kanina on my way here may nakasalubong akong girl and narinig ko siyang nagsabi nung nakita niya ‘yung mga food, ‘Ay naku! I don’t eat tira-tira!’ Siya ang gagawin kong peg sa character ko (laughs). I’ll try my best na maasar ‘yung mga tao sa akin.” But is she ready to be tagged as the new “Queen of Mean?” “Pwede kong tanggapin na lang ‘yun or ako nang bahalang maglagay ng sarili kong twist sa character. Pwede naman akong mean girl sa TV pero good girl in real life,” she said.

Watch Valeen in Your Song Presents: Underage premiering this March on ABS-CBN.