MANILA, Philippines??All the unpleasant things that happened in 2008 made me realize that I?m only human. This year, I have a chance to change and make things right again,? said controversial actor Dingdong Dantes.

The actor said he is aware of the negative public reaction to the way he handled his breakup with singer-actress Karylle, his girlfriend of three years. Things turned from bad to worse for Dong when the rumor that he had gotten on-screen partner Marian Rivera pregnant circulated in December. The actress vehemently denied this.

?Others may not have agreed with what I did. That?s okay. What?s important is that I did what I thought was right,? he told Inquirer Entertainment on Friday during his launching as an endorser of Goldilocks Bakeshop.

Dong continued: ?I just want to leave last year?s issues behind me. It?s a new year. We should be talking about new things, new people.?

It?s been predicted that 2009 will not be good for you.

You make your own fate with God guiding you. Hula lang ?yan, kahit ako pwede rin manghula.

Do you agree that the break-up helped increase Karylle?s popularity?

I don?t see it that way. You need talent to be recognized in this business. She definitely has that. But I?m not informed about what?s going on in her life lately. I prefer it that way.

People find it hard to believe that your relationship with Marian is purely professional.

I don?t have to prove anything to anyone. If I?m asked about how Marian and I are, I answer as truthfully as I can. I respect the fact that people have speculations. Marian and I live according to how we think we should.

Is there no chance for you to become a couple?

Love is not on our priority list at the moment. We don?t want our working relationship to get complicated. What?s important is that we respect and trust each other.

How did you spend your holidays? Did you get to see Marian?

I was in Boracay with my siblings and cousins. Marian and I saw each other on December 24th. I went to see her in Cavite. We decided to spend the holidays with our respective families, buong taon naman kami nagkasama sa trabaho.

Didn?t you miss her?

I did. We didn?t see each other for, more or less, five days. But we need to allot time for our families, too. Actually, more than missing her, I was eager to go back to working with her on our new teleserye. (Carlo J. Caparas? ?Ang Babaeng Hinugot sa Tadyang? premieres in February on GMA 7.)

Are you ready for a new relationship?

I?m not sure if I am. I?ve decided not to look for ?her.? I know she?s just around. I feel that she exists.

What?s she like?

She?s a true person inside and out; as sweet as a Goldilocks cake.

What can you say about news linking Karylle to Christian Bautista and Jericho Rosales?

I?d rather not say anything. We have our separate lives now. I sincerely hope she will be happy.

Email mcruz@inquirer.com.ph