After weeks of speculation, cryptic posts, and swirling rumors, actor Gerald Anderson has finally broken his silence and confirmed what many fans feared — his relationship with actress Julia Barretto is officially over. In a brief but emotional statement, Gerald addressed the public for the first time, putting an end to the mystery surrounding their sudden split.

“Yes, it’s true,” he said during an exclusive interview. “Julia and I have decided to part ways. It was not an easy decision, and it took a lot of conversations and emotions to get here.”

The confirmation comes after intense public scrutiny following Julia’s shocking move to return all of Gerald’s expensive gifts, including a Rolex and a Cartier watch — a gesture that made headlines and left fans wondering what went wrong between the two.

Gerald’s calm demeanor during the interview was in contrast to the swirling media frenzy. “We loved each other deeply,” he said. “But sometimes, love isn’t enough to make things last.”

According to the actor, the breakup happened “a few weeks ago,” but they chose to keep it private initially to process things and respect each other’s space. “We both needed time,” Gerald added. “And we wanted to make sure that when we did speak, it would come from a place of clarity, not emotion.”

Sources close to the couple revealed that tensions had been building for months. While they appeared happy in public, the pressure of the spotlight and conflicting schedules reportedly took a toll on their relationship.

“There were too many expectations, too many eyes on us,” Gerald said. “We tried to protect what we had, but at some point, we couldn’t keep pretending that everything was okay.”

Despite the heartbreak, Gerald spoke respectfully about Julia, calling her “an incredible woman with a strong heart.” He emphasized that there was no bad blood between them. “There’s no third party, no cheating,” he clarified. “It just didn’t work out the way we hoped.”

Julia has yet to release an official statement, but her recent actions have spoken volumes. Her return of Gerald’s luxury gifts signaled a clear closure — a decision many viewed as both powerful and final.

The public reaction to Gerald’s confirmation has been mixed. While some fans have expressed heartbreak over the end of the beloved couple, others praised them for handling the situation with maturity and grace.

“I’m sad, but I respect how honest they’re being,” one netizen wrote. “At least they’re not playing games or blaming each other.”

Gerald also shared that he’s currently focusing on healing and work. “I’m spending time with my family, going back to my roots, and taking things one day at a time,” he said. “It’s not easy, but I believe everything happens for a reason.”

The actor admitted that the breakup has been one of the most difficult moments of his personal life. “You don’t just stop loving someone overnight,” he said. “But sometimes, the best way to love someone is to let them go.”

As for the future, Gerald said he’s open to whatever comes next, but for now, he’s choosing peace and privacy. “I just want to breathe, rebuild, and reflect,” he concluded.

With this confirmation, the chapter on one of local showbiz’s most talked-about relationships comes to a close. While fans may mourn the end of Gerald and Julia’s love story, many are also expressing hope that both stars will find happiness — even if it’s apart.