Shaina Magdayao on waiting for Mr. Right: ‘Natuto na ako na maging hindi idealistic’

As her election-themed movie My Candidate opens in theaters on May 11, Shaina Magdayao said she is single because she is just too busy to date this year. "Hay diyoskoday, it’s been five years! Sabi ko pagkatapos ng movie na ito (laughs) kasi grabe talaga everyday talaga yung trabaho ko ngayon. And wala kasi ito sa plano for 2016. We’re doing the second season of Single/Single tapos ginawa ko yung Dukot with Paul Soriano and Enrique Gil. Tapos sumabay ito. So parang two months ako na kahit kaibigan ko hindi ko na sila nakikita because jinuggle ko nga yung tatlo at once. Mahirap so parang wala talagang oras and I don’t know. I’m super-inspired to work now maybe because I’ve been given the chance to work with three of the youngest filmmakers in our industry. Bagong generation like Pepe Diokno for Single/Single, Paul Soriano for Dukot and Quark Henares for My Candidate. So na-i-inspire ako to work and magkaroon ng bagong goals,” she shared.

After her last relationship ended five years ago, Shaina said she has slowly been getting back into the dating scene courtesy of Nikki Gil who has been playing matchmaker. “Oo (laughs) lagi. Sini-screen niya. Sini-set up niya ako sa mga friends niya. But yung schedule ko yung problema. So siguro may mga ilan pa akong kailangan tapusin at i-wrap up which is the promo of this movie which is everyday. I think kapag medyo na-i-placing na natin yun baka naman dumating na talaga (laughs),” she admitted.

The 26-year-old Kapamilya actress said she has no preference whether the guy is showbiz or non-showbiz now. "You know when I was younger ang sabi ko non-showbiz pero saan napunta? Sa showbiz (guy) lagi. So at the end of the day, natuto na ako na maging hindi idealistic. Parang showbiz man or hindi showbiz okay lang basta mabait and siguro may takot dapat sa Diyos. Wala ng kailangang ganito or kailangan ganyan. And hopefully siya na yun kung sino man yun. Kaya I’m really willing to wait kasi if he’s worth the wait why not di ba? And I know he’s worth the wait. Kaya huwag na tayong magmadali. Lahat na lang ng oras ko, ibubuhos ko na lang sa pamilya ko at sa kaibaigan ko, sa sarili ko at sa trabaho ko, now na parang ang ganda ng pagpasok ng 2016. Kung dadating, bakit hindi? Pero kung wala pa okay lang hindi talaga ako nagbi-busy busy-han. Busy talaga ako ngayon,” she explained.

The My Candidate actress said she hopes people will not take everything she says in context with her last relationship with Just the 3 of Us star John Lloyd Cruz. "Lahat ng sinasabi ko sa inyo ngayon, it’s not because of a certian person or a certain person from my past. Malayo na, It’s been five years. Malayo na yun sa kung ano man ang mundo ko ngayon. It’s funny how people would always compare my past with wherever I am right now. But wala talagang connection. Malayo eh. Maski kayo alam niyo yan, it’s been five years and marami ng nangyari sa akin sa loob ng limang taon and I’m really very happy na madaming mababait na tao na nakapaligid sa akin especially my friends who are very supportive and all and also my family. Walang kinalaman yung past ko. Actually kung meron man, siyempre it makes who I am and I am thankful for all the lessons na natanggap ko sa mga past experiences ko. So if I were to look back sa past ko, hanggang dun na lang yun and not because I want them to compare sa ano man ang nangyayari sa buhay ko ngayon,” she shared.

Even though she is not in a hurry to be in a relationship, Shaina admitted she has had her share of suitors. "Marami rin naman. Pati mga non-showbiz din na hindi niyo kilala. And actually I’m thankful na may mg nakaka-appreciate pa rin but I guess it’s really the timing. Wrong timing siguro kasi nga madami akong ginagawa. Malalaman niyo rin naman. Bakit ko pa itatago? Diyosko, ipagsisigawan ko yan kapag ano na. I think mas naiinip yung mga tao sa paligid ko (laughs),” she said.

After promoting My Candidate, Shaina said she will have more time to focus on her personal life. But this time she wants to make it clear that she is not into casual dating. "Siguro by now alam niyo na I am serious when it comes to relationships because para sa akin kung hindi mo tayo seseryosohin eh huwag na lang maging tayo di ba? We’re just going to waste time and our energy and our feelings. So I’m just here waiting for the right one kasi alam ko pag dumating siya, dadating din naman yan in His perfect time. Actually for sure he’s going to be worth the wait kung sino man siya,” she added.