How do you find 'The One' in today's dating scene?

“Hindi defined, the commitment is not there; You’re always guessing, you’re confused, you don’t know where to stand…it’s a power play,” she said.

Luchi asked where the faithfulness comes in, and both the millennial and Gen Z hosts said that it’s time to DTR, or “Define the Relationship.”

“Maraming tao ngayon na nagde-date and they’re kind of scared of that conversation, ‘Are we exclusive?’” Abi said. Mulling over the dating trend, she believes that situationship is closely related to courtship.

“When you initiate courtship, merong ultimatum: is it a yes or a no? If you say yes, you’re in a relationship. But right now, there’s less courtship happening kind of like each other…onti onti silang pumapasok sa relationship but not enough to have an ultimatum or define it,” the Gen Z host said. Raco, meanwhile, theorizes that social media makes it easy to weigh options before fully committing, though he emphasized that clear communication remains vital regardless of how complicated things get.

Luchi offered advice for those waiting for the perfect time to commit: “Nothing in this world is perfect. You don’t get to a point where you’ll say, ‘This situation is perfect.’ Hindi mangyayari ‘yun, you just have to work it out every single day.”

Is marriage the end goal?

Luchi noted that fewer Filipinos are choosing to get married today. Raco and Gelli believe this is largely economic, pointing out that a low-budget wedding costs around one million pesos, making financial readiness a priority. 

“It’s so expensive to get married,” Raco said.

Gelli echoed this, “One million? That’s a low-budget wedding. Billion-peso business and wedding ngayon. That’s probably the main reason why.”

The actress added that the younger generation also prioritizes their careers, making them more practical and sensible before facing the realities of marriage.

“They’re more sensible, more practical, which is actually good kasi when they do decide to get married, mas ready sila,” she said. “Mas ready to face the realities and challenges of being married lalo na financially.”

Abi, meanwhile, said that social media may have also shaped the younger generation's mindset.

“Social media has helped in terms of like showing people that there are other things you might want to prioritize, like maturing emotionally and making sure that you’re actually ready to raise a kid,” Abi said.

Luchi, however, said that another challenge for women is that by the time they finally decide they’re ready to have a child, their bodies may no longer be able to do so. This, Raco noted, can also influence the kind of partner women seek when they are ready to start a family. He observed that women may tend to look for older, financially stable men, emphasizing that this does not make them ‘gold diggers,’ but rather reflects their desire for a financially secure partner.

Luchi recalled a time when romance was what pushed couples to get married, with many making sure to tie the knot before having sex.

The speakers observed that such practices are no longer as taboo as they once were, adding that dating setups have also changed, noting that living together has become the norm for most long-term couples.

For Gelli, marriage is not the ultimate end goal, but rather the enduring relationship built after the kids are grown.

“It’s the relationship beyond that when your kids are older and when it’s just the two of you again,” she said. “Kailangan you choose well.”

Abi also believes that love requires a conscious decision to stay and face challenges together as a team.

“Love is a choice. It’s deciding that, okay, I’m gonna stick with this person, and whatever problems come in, it’s not because hindi kami compatible, hindi kami perfect, it’s something we have to face together,” she said.

Building on the challenges that come with that choice, the hosts also reflected on how some couples eventually realize that they are no longer compatible or are seeking something else. Luchi noted that couples tend to experience the “seven-year itch.”

"The decision or the choice to stay or to leave keeps recurring. The challenges don't stop. Even if you're already 65," she said, "Really, love is a commitment."

How do you know they’re ‘The One?’

Talking about whether to let a relationship unfold naturally, the hosts agreed that it’s better to simply let things happen rather than force them. Raco and Gelli warned that forcing a connection leads to settling for less and losing your peace of mind. For Raco, a partner should also be your best friend, while Gelli described her husband, Ariel Rivera, as her "home" and a place of safety.

“I know that I’m protected, I know that when I see him, or I’m with him, I’m home, [I’m] safe,” she said. “So kung maghahanap kayo ng partner, isipin niyo: Can this person be my home?”

They likewise suggest putting yourself out there and meeting people in real life, without being “performative” or deliberately staging an organic encounter.

"For me, I have to let my kids grow up consistently outside, not indoors, para you have relationships. It's easier for you to discern if a person is sincere, lying, or performative," the actress said.

Abi looks at how a partner handles conflict, while Raco emphasized that a compatible fighting style—where issues are resolved well—is a sign of the right person.

"The fighting style is compatible that the solution gets solved well," he said.

Finally, Gelli suggested observing how a partner treats their family and loved ones, as this can give you an idea of how they’ll treat you, as well as whether they show respect, even in seemingly trivial things.

Watch the full episode below.

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