Before K-dramas took over every Filipino household, Yda Manzano was already living her own real life version of one, minus the confetti ending. She just never talked about it publicly, until now.
Photo: PEP.phWhy did Yda Manzano step away from showbiz?
Yda revealed that she got pregnant and kept it from her parents, entering what she called survival mode. Speaking at the media conference for "Isla," the third remake of the 1985 movie, she shared:
Ang dami pong nangyari. Noong una kasi nabuntis ako noon and then, ang daming gulo na nangyari. Hindi alam ng magulang ko, nagtago ako.
She came from a conservative family, and being a single, pregnant former sexy star was not exactly a conversation she was ready to have at home.
Who was Yda Manzano's Korean boyfriend?
This was before K-pop and K-drama fever hit the Philippines the way it has now. Yda said she got into a relationship with a Korean national who took care of her financially in a big way.
He gave me everything para matigil lang ako. He gave me properties, condo and a car, lupa. Wala akong ginagawa, nasa bahay lang. Pero after four years, naghiwalay kami.
She said the relationship ended after four years because he had a vice he could not shake off, and she felt it was better to walk away, especially since they never had children together.
Was Yda scared going into that relationship?
Not really, she said, because her mind was on her family. Yda described herself as the "matapang" one among her siblings, the one who left home to help her aging, ailing parents while her siblings lived more ordinary lives.
What is Yda Manzano doing now?
After a failed 10 year marriage that ended for personal reasons, Yda considered a showbiz comeback but admitted she was not ready for the pressure and chaos that comes with it. Instead, she leaned on her college degree, working in call centers and sales. Now, she shared some good news: Viva Entertainment's Boss Vic del Rosario has offered her a corporate role managing the VMX Club, and he told her the door to movies is still open whenever she is needed.
A reminder that everyone's story has chapters we never see
It is easy to only remember Yda as a 90s sexy star, but hearing her lay out the pregnancy, the quiet years, the relationships that did not work out, and now a fresh start in a stable job, is a reminder that celebrities live whole complicated lives outside the spotlight too.
What did you think of Yda's honesty about her past relationships? Share your thoughts below.
Quick answers
Why did Yda Manzano take a break from showbiz?
She got pregnant and kept it from her parents, entering what she called survival mode, and stayed away from the industry for almost 15 years.
What happened between Yda Manzano and her Korean boyfriend?
They were together for four years and he gave her a condo, car and land, but they separated because of a vice he could not overcome.
What is Yda Manzano doing now?
She has been offered a corporate job by Viva Entertainment's Boss Vic del Rosario, managing the VMX Club, while remaining open to movie roles when needed.
Updated September 22, 2026. Sources and photo credits: PEP.ph. All photos belong to their respective owners.