Maria Ozawa opens up on breakup with Chef Jose Sarasola

Maria Ozawa looked back on her relationship and breakup with her ex-boyfriend, Filipino chef Jose Sarasola.

On Wednesday's episode of "Fast Talk With Boy Abunda," Maria said she learned a lot during their time together due to the differences in the culture of Japan and the Philippines.

"I think he understood more about Japanese culture. I understand more about his culture, which is Filipino culture. Which is good but which was hard also because everything is different, in relationship-wise or business-wise," she said.

"It was just hard to blend in," she added.

Maria also said they broke up amiably and there was no third party in their relationship.

"Actually it wasn't anything bad at all because I went back to Japan because of the pandemic. And when I went back that time I didn't know when I could come back to the Philippines and there's no way any foreigners would be able to come to Japan," she said.

"So it was just like a mutual decision and we talked about it and we decided to break up 'cause we didn't see any future, I mean like we didn't know what to do about it," she added.

Jose also said they had a difficult time with a long distance relationship during the pandemic.

Maria and Jose were together for almost five years. They broke up in 2022.

In a "Tunay Na Buhay" episode, the former couple shared that they first met when the Japanese actress visited the chef's bar.

Maria currently appears in "Pulang Araw," where she plays Haruka, the mother of Hiroshi Tanaka (David Licauco).

The series airs weeknights on GMA Prime at 8 p.m. after "24 Oras." It is also streaming on Netflix.

—MGP, GMA Integrated News