Kylie Celebre, a proud trans woman and rising content creator, has found love — and maybe even her future husband — in Jan Pablo, a soft-spoken trans man she met on a dating app.

In an exclusive interview with PEP.ph for Pride Month, Kylie opened up about her relationship with Jan, sharing how their love story defied expectations and grew into something “real, peaceful, and powerful.”

What started as a random online match has now blossomed into a nearly two-year-long relationship — one that has not only changed Kylie’s life, but also earned the full support of her family, including her mom Irene Celebre and older brother, actor Gabby Eigenmann.

“He Wasn’t Even Replying at First!”

Kylie recalls that their first interaction didn’t exactly scream “destiny.”

“I met Jan around July 3, 2023. We matched on a dating app,” Kylie said. “At first, he barely replied to my messages. But I really tried to make a good impression.”

Their first in-person meeting happened at a ball in Poblacion, a lively district in Metro Manila known for its nightlife and queer-friendly spaces.

“I told him, ‘Why not come and experience how the ball scene is in the Philippines?’” she shared. “My first impression of him? Super shy. He barely said a word. I think he thought I was… mataray (snobbish)!”

But for Kylie, something clicked that night.

“Yes, it was love at first sight — on my end, at least,” she admitted. “I didn’t expect to meet someone I was genuinely attracted to, both physically and emotionally.”

“Jan Courted Me Like No One Else Ever Did”

While Kylie had previously dated other trans men, she says Jan stood out in a way that felt different — more intentional, more sincere.

“Si Jan, ibang klaseng manligaw,” Kylie said with a smile. “On our first date, he suddenly took me to NLEX — just to grab coffee! He’d always bring me to the most unexpected places. He was quiet, but thoughtful. I felt safe.”

But beyond the “kilig” moments, Kylie says Jan has helped her grow in unexpected ways.

“Meeting Jan taught me how to stand on my own. He really helped me become more independent,” she said. “I feel like I’m in a much more peaceful and grounded place now.”

Family Support That Means the World

For Kylie, having her mother and brother’s approval was crucial — and it didn’t come instantly.

“My mom has always been protective when it comes to the people I date, so she was very cautious at first,” she admitted. “But eventually, she saw that Jan had good intentions.”

Her brother Gabby, one of GMA Network’s seasoned actors, was also introduced to Jan after a few months.

“I wanted to be sure about everything first,” Kylie explained. “But now, both of them are really supportive of our relationship. They’re happy seeing me happy.”

“Is Jan ‘The One’? Yes. No Doubt.”

After nearly two years of being together, Kylie says she’s sure about where her heart stands — and who she wants to spend her future with.

“Yes, si Jan na talaga. He’s The One,” Kylie declared. “We love each other for who we are — and that includes our differences.”

She shared that they’ve already discussed marriage, but are not rushing into it.

“Yes, we do have plans to get married,” she confirmed. “But for now, we’re just enjoying our time together. I’m just waiting for Jan to be ready.”

Kylie also shared what her promise would be when the day finally comes:
“To stay true to who I am. And to always love him with patience and understanding. Just like the elders always say — that’s what makes a relationship last.”

Challenges as a Trans Couple in the Philippines

While their love story feels like a fairytale, Kylie is also realistic about the social and legal challenges they face as a trans couple in the Philippines.

“We could get legally married, technically,” Kylie explained, “because our sex assigned at birth is male and female.”

But that doesn’t mean it would be easy.

“Sadly, we wouldn’t be allowed to wear clothing that affirms our gender identity, especially in a traditional church setting,” she said. “And one of our biggest challenges would be starting a family.”

She opened up about the barriers trans couples face in pursuing parenthood.

“There’s still a lot of judgment. And the medical process isn’t easy or accessible here. But it’s something we’ve talked about deeply.”

Celebrating Love During Pride

Kylie and Jan’s story recently gained more visibility after they were featured in Preview Magazine’s June Pride issue — a moment Kylie describes as “meaningful and empowering.”

“The LGBTQIA+ community has been so warm and welcoming,” she said. “It means a lot to celebrate different forms of love.”

In the end, Kylie hopes their story helps normalize queer love in all its forms.

“Our story is proof that love finds you — even when you’re not looking,” she said. “And when it does, you better believe it’s worth fighting for.”