MANILA - Hunk actor John Lloyd Cruz said he was flattered that actress Ruffa Gutierrez, with whom he has been romantically linked, decided to hold a private screening of his latest film "In My Life."

Cruz said he was invited to attend the screening, which Gutierrez held with the help of her friends. However, he said he was unable to go because of schedule constraints.

"Ang sinasabi ko lang siguro dahil ganoon kadami ang friends nila ay na-accommodate ng theater ang lahat ng kanilang in-invite. Actually in-invite niya (Ruffa) ako. Pati si Divine Lee (Ruffa's friend), pina-invite ako sa kaibigan ko. And sabi ko kapag pwede ako ay pupunta ako," he said.

"Pero unfortunately ang schedule ko ay hindi pwede," said Cruz in a press launch of Sta. Lucia's new condo, La Breza Tower in Quezon City, of which he is a brand ambassador.

Movie success

The actor said he is grateful that Gutierrez, a former co-star in ABS-CBN's defunct hit television series "I Love Betty La Fea", helped him promote the movie.

"Napakalaking bagay nito para sa pelikula namin na kinailangan pa nilang mag-rent ng isang cinema para ma-accomodate ang friends and family nila, na gustong mapanood ang 'In My Life.' So Ruffa and Divine, thank you very much," Cruz said.

"Talagang tinatanaw ko na malaking utang na loob na may mga kaibigan ako na nagpapakita ng ganitong kalaking effort in trying to help me promote my movie. Alam mo, bihira yang ganyang makahanap ng ganyang kaibigan," he added.

Cruz thanked moviegoers who watched his Star Cinema film. "In My Life" earned a record P20 million in ticket sales on its first screening date last Wednesday, September 16.

This is according to data released by Star Cinema's Booking and Distribution Department.

Missing Sarah

Meanwhile, the hunk actor also cleared rumors that he gave up wooing Pop Star Princess Sarah Geronimo because the latter asked him to wait 5 years.

He said he is only a friend to the singer, and that the rumors may have started from private jokes between the two about Geronimo's love life.

"Hindi naman ako pinapahintay ni Sarah. Wala siyang pinapahintay. Kasi 'yon ang lagi niyang sinasabi na at the age of 25, doon siya papayagang mag-boyfriend. So...nagsimula sa biruan. Hanggang ngayon ay nagkaroon ng isyu na ganyan kesyo hindi pa daw siya pwede at kailangan pang maghintay ng 5 years bago siya ligawan. Kaya doon nanggaling 'yon," Cruz said.

"Alam naman natin at alam ng lahat at alam ni Sarah na ang focus niya ngayon is her career," he added.

Cruz said he is not sure if a film project with Geronimo will push through, but he confirmed that he might do a Valentine's movie with his original on-screen partner Bea Alonzo and actress Maricar Reyes.

"'Yon po ang alam ko. Pero alam niyo ang business nito ay pwedeng magbago 'yan... so a lot can happen between now and Valentine's Day," he said.

Cruz told abs-cbnnews.com that he and the singer rarely speak nowadays. Asked if he misses her, the actor said: "Yeah."

‘Living alone’

Because of his hectic schedule, Cruz decided to live on his own. The actor said he is gearing up to move to his newest condomium unit or his bachelor's pad.

Cruz said his decision to live independently is also "for his own good", and that he is certain that his family will understand.

"Alam din nila kung paano ako mahirapan. Especially kapag nagsasabay ang movie ko at teleserye, talagang halos hindi na ako umuuwi. So, hindi naman siguro ako mahihirapang magpaalam. Especially with my mom, na kapag maraming trabaho, dito muna ako sa La Breza at kapag wala naman, I will go home," Cruz said.
 
Even if he's decided to live on his own, Cruz said nothing beats the feeling of being at home with his family, where he can "just be himself."

"I feel more relaxed when I'm with my family. Siyempre kailangang mangibabaw pa din ang family," he said.