Bianca Umali addresses speculations she changed religion for Ruru Madrid

Late last year, it was revealed that Bianca Umali became a member of Iglesia ni Cristo, which happens to be the religion of her boyfriend, Ruru Madrid.

In an interview with the longtime couple on the “Updated with Nelson Canlas” podcast, Bianca confirmed that she has converted, but that she has a deeper reason for it.

“First of all, yes, isa na po akong ganap na Iglesia ni Kristo,” she began. “But I don't think I would have it fall under the category of things you do for love or these things that I do for love.”

“Kasi yung pagiging Iglesia ko, yung pag-convert ko is something that is very personal to me. It is a personal choice and not a choice [that] I made just because in love ako sa isang tao,” Bianca added.

The Sparkle artist also said she has been alone for years and knew that she wanted something that she would not lose.

“And I knew that it wasn't something that was materialistic,” she added.

By her 20th birthday, Bianca saw that maybe she should have a deeper relationship with God.

“I knew that God has always been in my life. He has always guided me. He has always been with me—holding my hand. Hindi niya ako pinabayaan, even though I wasn't this close to Him and alam kong marami rin akong pagkakamali noon sa Kaniya,” Bianca said.

“And when I discovered my faith, which is where Ruru comes in… hindi dahil sa kaniya kaya ako nag-convert pero naging instrumento siya para maipakilala sa akin yung religion at maipakita sa akin yung daan kung saan tinawag ako para mapalapit ako sa Diyos,” Bianca added.

Bianca and Ruru are working on their first project together, “The Write One,” where they play Liam and Joyce.

Listen to Bianca and Ruru’s full interview on “Updated with Nelson Canlas” on Spotify. — LA, GMA Integrated News