MANILA, Philippines – Fresh from his New York trip, actor Rustom Padilla, who is now known as BB Gandanghari, shrugged off rumors saying he has already undergone sex change surgery.

Actor BB Gandanghari upon his arrival from New York on Monday.

In an interview with ABS-CBN News on Monday, Gandanghari explained that undergoing sex change is a long process that includes going through several psychological sessions.

“Hindi pa. Well, I think kaya masyadong tricky itong sex change because it is a very long process. Siguro psychologically, nandoon na ako sa proseso na nagproproseso ako but nandoon pa lang. More on sa akin. Kapag may kausap kasing doktor, ang tinitignan 'yung estado mo psychologically. Bago pa kayo mag-move on. And it is a long process,” he said.

Apart from going through psychological sessions, Gandanghari said he also tried taking hormones in the past.

“There was a time [when I took hormones] but I stopped recently because nagkakaroon ako ng mga mood swings na medyo nahihirapan ako. Kaya kapag kausap ko ang doktor, ganyan ang mga kwentuhan namin all the time,” he said.

But Gandanghari admitted that at one point he tried to rush the whole thing.

“There was a time na parang minamdali ko. Sabi sa akin ‘Take it easy. Darating sa punto na iyan, kung talagang doon ka papunta. But hindi ka preoccupied doon sa end result mo.’ This is all a journey, laging pinapaalala sa akin,” he said.

“Akala mo nag-decide ka na tapos parang teka nga. May ganoon eh. One step forward, two steps backward. Mahirap. Wala pang nangyayaring [surgery]. Definitely may mga nababago sa kaloob-looban ko pero kung surgery wala pa,” he added.

But Gandanghari is sure to change one thing.

“[Legal] name change is on the way. I’m working on it – as Binibini Gandanghari. Dito sa Pilipinas I hired a lawyer. Kasi sa America hinihintay ko lang na mag-change ako ng status ng citizenship, then I will change my name,” he said.

Blossoming love life

Meanwhile, the former “Pinoy Big Brother” housemate admitted that there is someone currently making him happy.

“Oo, inspired ako. Mayroong nagpapabalik [sa New York]. Hindi siya Pilipino. Hindi kaso sa kanya ang pagkatao ko, hindi judgmental. Lagi ngang sinasabi na I’m very unique,” Gandanghari shared.

“I’ve known him nung nandoon pa ako pero nung bumalik ako sa New York, ngayon lang kami nakapag-usap ng medyo personal na bagay,” he added.

Asked if he thinks this “relationship” is already for keeps, he said: “We’ll never know but kung siya ang tamang tao... tayo naman naghahanap lang ng makaka-connect natin, makakasama. Kung siya ang tamang tao, why not? Mabait eh at malawak ang pag-iisip.” -- with a report from Mario Dumaual, ABS-CBN News