It appears actor Ian Veneracion isn't only a thrill seeker when it comes to extreme sports; he also loves a challenge when it comes to romance.
Recalling how he met wife Pam Gallardo when he was only 18 years old, he told ABS-CBN news, "Sa bahay ng friend ko, may mga calling cards, ang dami. Eh bilang showbiz ako, minsan nakaka-tempt maging douchebag: kuha ka lang ng number, and then you just call, and then papakilala ka lang, and usually they would be accommodating just because you’re an actor, just because they see you on TV."
After picking a random calling card from his friend's stack, he decided to call the number. Little did he know that that number belonged to his future wife.
"Sabi ko sa friend ko, ‘Sino ito?’ Sabi niya, ‘Best friend ng girlfriend ko. Tapos sabi niya, ‘Masungit iyan.’ Ako naman, challenge accepted!"
So he dialed the number and was surpised at her response.
"Sabi ko, ‘Hi Pam please.’ Sabi niya, ‘Sino ito?’ Sabi ko, with a pa-charm tone of voice, ‘Si Ian. Ian Veneracion.’ Sabi niya, ‘May ginagawa ako.’ And then binaba ang phone," he recounted.
Her icy response made him feel even more challenged! But he continued pursuing her until they started dating and eventually got married four years later.
Now, 20 years later, Ian still believes it was the best decision he ever made.
"I’m 42 now. She’s literally like a part of me," he shared in the same interview. "So mas kilala ko ang sarili ko na nandoon siya as part of my life, kaysa sa wala siya."
He's learned a lot about married life. In a previous interview on Moments, he shared some of the secrets of his lasting relationship with wife Pam.
"Huwag makipag-debate sa asawa," he advised the show's viewers. "At 'pag galit siya, tumahimik ka na lang. Wala kang panalo."
Pam has also managed to be immune from jealousy despite the fact that Ian gets paired up with some of the most gorgeous actresses, like Jodi Sta. Maria and Bea Alonzo.
"Kinikilig pa siya. Sabi ko dapat mag-selos ka kasi asawa kita," he shared on Tonight with Boy Abunda, adding how Pam fully trusts him. "Behave naman ako."
The dad of three is also grateful for marrying young because now, he gets to enjoy bonding with his teen kids.
"Best decision of my life talaga, hanggang ngayon. Especially with Draco and Deirdre now, I can do so many things with them na," he gushed. "We play basketball, we ride motorcycles, we go paragliding, we do all these things na kung late pa, hindi ko na siguro ma-enjoy masyado."
READ: 6 Times Ian Veneracion proved he is total #DaddyGoals!
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