MANILA, Philippines?Actor John Lloyd Cruz insisted he has no romantic relationship with fellow ABS-CBN artist Ruffa Gutierrez, but admitted that he ?formally? met the actress-TV host?s parents last month.

?It?s sad that people keep adding a romantic angle to our friendship when there?s really none,? he told Inquirer Entertainment during the recent launch of Lucky Me Pancit Canton, which he endorses with another actress, Sarah Geronimo.

Meet the parents

John Lloyd said it was Ruffa who arranged his dinner date with the actress? feisty mom Annabelle Rama, and dad Eddie Gutierrez. ?She said this was so I could formally meet Tita Annabelle. A lot has been written, mostly by people claiming that Tita Annabelle said this or that about me. But before that dinner, the two of us haven?t really met,? he explained.

Annabelle and Ruffa reportedly had an argument over the rumor concerning John Lloyd that resulted in Ruffa?s leaving the Gutierrez home in Makati City. Mother and daughter have recently patched things up.

John Lloyd said the dinner date was very ?relaxed. We were all laughing. We had good food.? The actor was with his network bosses Johnny Manahan and Mariol Alberto.

?This is getting very tiresome. It?s sad that many continue to make a big issue out of it. Yes, Ruffa and I went out a few times when we were in the US. Everybody knew about it. Pictures of us together even got published. But people have the wrong interpretation of what they saw,? he stressed.

At the press launch, John Lloyd was asked to comment on the negative reaction of fans, especially those who support his on-screen pairing with Sarah, toward his rumored involvement with Ruffa. ?I don?t blame them. Issues about our personal lives do have an effect on our love team. But I always say that it?s important to hear all sides of the story first,? he said.

Sarah is John Lloyd?s co-star in the box-office hit movie ?A Very Special Love ? and its equally successful sequel ?You Changed My Life.?

John Lloyd said he is still convinced that his supporters are ?thinking people.? He added: ?They have no problem separating on-screen pairings from real-life relationships. My team-up with Sarah may be successful, but fans know we each have our private lives.?

He recalled that when he first admitted his relationship with ex-girlfriend, fashion magazine editor Liz Uy, he also read negative comments from followers of his on-screen partnership with Bea Alonzo.

?Grabe ang pinagdaanan ni Liz. Fans can be really hurtful at times. There were a lot of bad things said about her on the Net,? he said.