Tessa Prieto reveals she has found new love: 'We understand each other'

By Carissa Alcantara

Published Aug 2, 2026 11:34 am   

TV personality and socialite Tessa Prieto shared how she found a new chance at happiness with her new partner.

Tessa first talked about her partner, Irene Nubla, in July during an interview with Julius Babao on his YouTube channel.

During her guest appearance on "Fast Talk With Boy Abunda", Tessa shared that she had once given up on finding love again after the painful end of her previous relationship.

"Parang I did," she said when asked if she had become afraid of loving again. "With the last one, after I got all that abuse, sabi ko 'ayoko na ng girl'... I'm just going to get a little dog," she added.  

Just when Tessa thought she was not meant to love again, things took a turn when she met Irene in church.

"Three days later, my new partner came into my life. Sa simbahan. And then hindi ko alam na she's lesbian," she said.

Tessa recalled the moment she saw Irene, describing what she was wearing at the time.

"I was praying after. Then I saw my partner now, her name's Irene. And she's like, you know, she’s like a super crisp shirt. Tapos grabeng earrings. Naka-clip pa. And Hermes sandals. ‘Yun pala she liked me. I'm so likable," Tessa jokingly shared.    According to her, their conversation was simple, Irene mentioning that they had a mutual friend before taking a photo.

"We just met in church... May anak pa siya. That's why I feel that finally, [I have] somebody [that] I don't have to justify to my parents and to myself. I said like, you know, times have changed na rin," Tessa said.

Just like any new relationship, some fights cannot be unseen, but according to Tessa, they eventually learned to understand each other's differences. 

"Of course in the beginning, we were constantly fighting kasi we're just opposite. Parang she's very money-driven [sa] negosyo, and I'm like love, love love. And so again, I'm too much, right? This time around, if I'm too much, give me more. So, she gives me more. Thank you so much. We understand each other. We are now finally accepting of our traumas [with] our exes and everything. Now, we have so much love and respect," she said.

Tessa Prieto and Irene Nubla (Julius Babao UNPLUGGED YouTube Channel)

Being a well-known socialite, Boy asked Tessa how Irene is keeping up with her being constantly in the public's gaze.

"I think she enjoys it na rin. She has zero social media. So when people say that she's the one, she's okay na," Tessa said.

For Tessa, the relationship is special because they complement each other in many ways.

"Feeling ko, finally, somebody is able to match my energy in everything, financially [and] emotionally... She accepts my family first and foremost, that's so important for me. My family accepts her." 

Before finding love again, Tessa went through a painful breakup with a same-sex partner, which actually led to legal disputes, including a pending VAWC case and an estafa complaint.

She was also married to businessman Dennis Valdes for 26 years before filing for annulment in 2025.

What is it like studying in Germany?

 

Kanishk Sinha

 ·

Lives in Germany

Oh, and by this I don’t mean the education system. That is world class, one of the best you can get in EU countries.

But yeah studying here is aweful. Damn annoying.

Why?

Because there is so much to do here.

1. 26 beautiful Schengen countries at your fingertips. Just book a bus, flight or a train ticket and you are good to go. I live in Passau, Germany and I can just literally walk over to Austria. By foot.
2. More concerts than you can imagine. Metallica, Slipknot etc does a Europe tour every year. Ed Sheeran comes to Munich like its his summer home.
3. Beer festivals like they are about to blow up. Oktoberfest, Passauer Dult, Chiemseer, the list goes on and on.
4. The Alps. Don’t want to go until Switzerland? Go to Füssen or Bayerisch Walden and you are in the Alps.
5. Public saunas, nudist beaches, just in case you want to feast your eyes.

You get the gist right?

Now the studying. Due to reasons aforementioned, it can be dull because of the vibrant environment you get to live in.

It's good to have a German stamp on your degree. Like I said, one of the best you can get.

1. Amazing facilities, even if you are studying in a small University.
2. 120 credit based system, which means you got a lot of stuff to live upto.
3. Universities tend to focus on research, while University of Applied Sciences are more practical oriented.
4. The syllabus is designed to keep you on your toes. One night fight doesn't work out here.
5. Lots of student discounts on train and city services. Free Amazon Prime for a year.
6. Lots of Part time work options, English based as well. However it's good to get familiar with German language as it will prove to be of an immense help.
7. People are nice, teachers helpful. But only to an extent. If you try their patience, get ready to be on the receiving end of their wrath.

It's been a year since I am studying in Germany. Loved it so far.

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What should an expat know about living or retiring to the Philippines?

 

JohnRich R. Levine

 · 

What should an expat know about living or retiring to the Philippines?

There is nothing more to know than the information you already have at the click of your mouse or the touch of your fingertips.

Among these are:

1. Your preference for a temperate tropical climate. You don’t want to finalize your decision, and a month or two after living there, realize, that you don’t like the humidity that comes with sea breeze. Philippines is an archipelago of more than seven thousand islands. Breeze is everywhere. Humidity is in every breeze. Is this something you look forward to when you retire? It is water from end to end. If not, then consider changing your plans as early as now.

1. Do you like asian food (Filipino food) or the Filipino variation of westernized meals? These meals are named almost exactly the same names as you hear them in the west. But they are not cooked in the west. They are cooked and prepared with the Filipino taste buds. Sure, you can have spaghetti. But not your spaghetti kind. If you want your kind, your taste, your preference, you have to import that from somewhere, or prepare it yourself with the exact ingredients you use from where you came from, not from the local manufacturers. Is this something you want to adventure upon retirement? Many people would do this if only to depart from the usual life and lifestyle they lived while still earning their retirement.

This:

Versus This:

1. Do you enjoy adapting and adopting cultural practices? Do you like to decorate an accent of your own culture? The Philippines is a pot of gold of adaptations of cultures. You will fit anywhere, anytime. If you adapt. The Filipinos are born with innate tendencies to adapt to a culture around them. They will adapt to you. Would you adapt to them? Very flexible, considerate, adaptable, easy to teach and influence and noticeably versatile. Do you like this? Or do you prefer to be rigid and tough and rough? If you decide to retire there regardless of your cultural characteristics, chances are you, your ego will be broken to pieces in pain. But if you let go of that tough rough rigid image and embrace a new you, you will be crowned the apple of their eyes.

1. The Philippines is a nation of fun and adventurous people, at times over the top. There are no snow skiing, but you can always try doing it in the hills of chocolate grasses. Swimming with the sharks? No problem. Roller coasters? Sure. Flintstone style. Horseback riding? You got it. Except you do it on several other animals too, not just horses. Carabaos, cows, sometimes, donkeys the size of a goat. Pick your fun.

1. Budget? What budget? Just keep your money in your socks. We ain’t got nothing to budget. No, uh uh. Ain't gonna happen. You like McDonald’s? Sorry, thats for birthday, once a year. You are going to eat chicken, maybe sardines, and tons of fresh vegetables. Regularly. Or travel by motor bike as bus, or take the bankas as boat. It’s cheap here, man. You got to learn it. Get over your air conditioned cars. That’s for drama and show off. Take a motorcycle. Ten pesos per trip to downtown. That is about 25 cents a trip. And you could reduce that cost if you own your own motorbike and take someone with you for a fee. If that sounds adventure and fun to you, hop in on your plane and land in Cebu. You can start a life for less than a month’s salary.

1. So you are white, or black, Hispanic, or maybe a combination of a little bit of this and that color? And your nose a little bit different? No, hugely different? Then security is an issue for you. What do you do? Change your skin? Cut back on your nose’s height? No. Be you. Be the you that you want to be. Decide to live peaceably, and leave the litigious mentality of ‘see you in court” kind behind you. Ain't gonna work that way.

1. Eat. This is why you decide to retire there. Eat while planning what to eat next. This is perhaps the only reason that will stand the test of your decision to retire in the Philippines. Eat everything at least twice. If you don’t like to eat there, why are you there?

1. Miami, Florida; Phoenix, Arizona. Sometimes California, or New Mexico. And sometimes Texas. Are retirement destinations of the cold northerners. If they only know 7, 107 islands are waiting for them in the coasts of the Pacific for a fraction of the cost in Hawaii. Go live as a retired expat there, and go up north in the summer, to your point of origin. In terms of water, this is also called renewable sources of energy. Go up and down the globe, just like salmons upstream the streams to take advantage of the refreshing rivers.

Go. Just go. I’ll see you there, soon.

𝐂𝐨𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐆𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐃𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐨 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐋𝐚𝐬𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠

𝐋𝐎𝐎𝐊: Demonstrating its unwavering commitment to marine environmental protection, Coast Guard Station Davao together with Civil Relations Group- Southeastern Mindanao, in partnership with the Tambongon Fisherfolks Association (TAMFIAS), successfully conducted a Mangrove Planting Activity at the Tambongon Mangrove Site in Purok Tambongon, Barangay Lasang, Davao City on 01 August 2026.

The activity resulted in the planting of 100 mangrove propagules, contributing to the restoration of vital coastal ecosystems that serve as natural barriers against coastal erosion, storm surges, and the impacts of climate change. Healthy mangrove forests also provide critical habitats for marine life, support local fisheries, improve water quality, and strengthen the resilience of coastal communities.

Through initiatives like this, the Philippine Coast Guard continues to uphold its commitment to protecting and preserving the country's marine environment while fostering stronger partnerships with coastal communities toward a greener and more climate-resilient future.

#DOTr

#CoastGuardPH

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