PATIENCE and compromise are things Kristine Hermosa has taken to heart after her failed relationship with Diether Ocampo.

?One must not rush, especially when making important decisions in life,? the actress told Inquirer Entertainment during a gathering for her latest teleserye for ABS-CBN, ?Nasaan Ka Maruja??

?A couple should accept that they have different personalities and are bound to clash in some way,? Kristine added. ?To settle this, they should meet halfway.?

In February this year, the Court of Appeals granted Kristine?s petition to annul her civil marriage to Diether held in Jaen, Nueva Ecija in 2004. According to the CA, the union was not valid because the couple failed to secure a marriage license or contract at the time of the wedding ceremony, which was officiated by Jaen Mayor Antonio Prospero Esquivel.

Acceptance

Kristine said she also felt sad when the annulment was granted. ?I loved Diet so much. That love was pure. I wasn?t relieved when I heard the news. It was more of acceptance. I just told myself that things just didn?t work out between us.?

She was pleased to hear that Diether has a new inspiration?print ad model Rima Lorza Ostwani. But Kristine also expressed some concern: ?I?ve not spoken to him for a long time. But if what I heard is true?that he?s ready to marry her?I hope he would listen to a friend?s advice. He should think hard before taking the plunge. He has to be serious. It?s not a game. It?s important that nobody gets hurt anymore.?

Does she consider the annulment a form of closure?

?I guess so,? Kristine replied. ?He?s obviously happy. I?m also OK where I am in my life right now.?

What about Oyo?

Currently, Kristine is being linked to actor Oyo Sotto, who she claims is her best friend. ?He?s not courting me,? Kristine insisted. ?I just know that he cares for me. He was there during the times when I was down. But I won?t deny that there?s a possibility for the friendship to develop into something more special. He?s the closest guy to me right now.?

Kristine said she tried going out with other guys shortly after her split with Diether. ?But I had trouble trusting anyone,? she revealed. ?It appears to me that guys always put their best foot forward. I find that so unnatural.?

Jaded

Kristine admitted that, sadly, where love is concerned, she?s now somewhat jaded. ?Napagod ang puso ko. It has to rest. It will take a while for me to fall in love again. When that time comes, it will be with someone who is really special,? she declared.

?Komiks Presents Mars Ravelo?s Nasaan si Maruja?? is a story of two people whose love for each other transcends time. It deals with reincarnation, starting with the ill-fated love story of Maruja (Kristine) and Gabriel (Derek Ramsay) during the Spanish era, until their reunion a hundred years later.

The show also features Karylle, John Estrada, Gloria Romero, Menggie Cobarubias, Enchong Dee, among others. It premieres on May 2, 6 p.m. on the Kapamilya network.

E-mail mcruz@inquirer.com.ph