MANILA, Philippines - Raised eyebrows and wagging tongues met reports of CNN "Hero of the Year" Efren Peñaflorida's plans to woo actress Angel Locsin.

From tabloids to news sites, many fans expressed shock, disappointment or disdain at the news.

"You're dreaming! Just because you're a CNN Hero doesn't mean you can be Angel's boyfriend," said one user on social networking site Twitter.

A user on Facebook, meanwhile, reacted: "It was great that he won as CNN Hero [of the Year]. But I was disappointed he wanted to join the celebrity world so quickly."

As fans and critics alike questioned Peñaflorida's motives, the young educator found an unlikely ally--Locsin's own ex-boyfriend, actor Luis Manzano.

"Sa mga taong nagbaba kay Efren, sana ma-realize ninyo kung ano ang ginawa niya para sa mga Filipino. (To those who are pulling Efren down, I hope you realize what he did for his fellow Filipinos)," Manzano told ABS-CBN News.

Manzano, however, seemed cautious to throw all-out support when it came to the CNN Hero's love life. "I don't want to put my finger on whatever Efren's intention is," he said.

In a prior interview, Locsin said she wanted to be friends first with Peñaflorida before considering a more serious relationship.

"Mas maganda kung friends kami. Kilalanin namin ang isa't isa para maayos. (It's better if we're friends first. We should get to know each other more so it's smooth)," she said.

Peñaflorida and Locsin reportedly met on an international flight to the Philippines. A smitten Peñaflorida was reported to have visited Locsin's house several times.

Blossoming love life

The CNN Hero is not the only man reported to be courting Locsin.

Rock band "Parokya ni Edgar" front man Chito Miranda, who purportedly split with his long-time girlfriend Kaye Abad, was also rumored to be interested in dating Locsin.

Manzano, a friend of Miranda, said his ex-girlfriend and the rocker were just friends. "Si Chito, kasama ko pa si Chito. Barkada sila alam ko," he said.

Despite his ex-girlfriend's busy love life nowadays, Manzano said he holds no grudges.

He said they have moved on and matured from the time of their breakup in August last year.

"At least nalampasan na namin 'yong awkward phase. Nalampasan na namin 'yong ilangan. 'Yong siguro kung may konting galit man, nailabas na namin," Manzano said.

(At least we've passed the awkward phase. We've overcome the awkwardness. Whatever anger we had against each other, we've released that.)

Fans of Manzano and Locsin are reportedly hoping that the pair might go on one last date for Valentine's Day this year, especially since Manzano was spotted hanging around the set of Locsin's newest show "Kokey at Ako."

"Well let's see," the actor said. "But hopefully whatever happens, Valentine's Day is a colorful day." Report by Gretchen Fullido, ABS-CBN News.