Gambling tycoon Atong Ang has officially confirmed his romance with actress Sunshine Cruz following their public cockpit kiss that generated online buzz.

A news item on the Dec. 17 episode of “Bilyonaryo News Channel” announced that Ang has confirmed to them his relationship with Cruz.

“At dito niyo lang po unang maririnig, kinumpirma mismo ni Atong Ang sa Bilyonaryo News Channel na may relasyon nga sila ni Sunshine Cruz,” said the program host Pinky Webb.

(And this is where you heard it the first time; Atong Ang himself confirmed it to Bilyonaryo News Channel that he and Sunshine Cruz are in a relationship.)

Korina Sanchez, who serves as the co-anchor of the show, also shared her reaction by teasing the lovebirds to spread their happiness.

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“We’re happy for them. We’re happy for people who are happy. Dapat tawagan natin si Atong at Sunshine na manlibre naman ngayong pasko (We should call Atong and Sunshine to treat us this Christmas). Ipagkalat nila ang kanilang kasiyahan (They should spread their joy),” she said.

Last week, videos of Ang and Cruz locking lips at a cockpit arena went viral on social media. The first clip showed the actress walking to the table where the business was sitting to give him a kiss.

A second video, which appeared to be taken on a different day but same location, showed Ang walking towards Cruz to give her a kiss on the lips, not minding the onlookers.

Cruz was previously in a six-year relationship with politician Macky Mathay before announcing their split in Sept. 2022, emphasizing that she realized their relationship wasn’t progressing.

The actress was also previously married to actor Cesar Montano before their marriage was annulled in 2018. They are currently co-parenting their three daughters: Angelina Isabelle, Samantha Angeline, and Angel Francheska.

Meanwhile, Ang was previously being linked to actress Gretchen Barretto after they were spotted together in a number of events, but the actress asserted they were only business partners.

In October, Barretto said that she and her longtime partner, businessman Tonyboy Cojuangco, have never separated despite being hounded by separation rumors over the years.

Meanwhile, Ang said in 2019 that he is happy with his wife Iris amid rumors that he was having or had a relationship with Barretto, as well as with her sister Claudine, and their niece, Nicole.

“Totally dine-deny ko lang talaga ‘yan, kasi bakit ka magsasalita ng kung ano-ano? Basta ang sa akin, happy ako sa pamilya ko, sa asawa ko,” he said at the time.

(I totally deny that, because why would you say something like that? As for me, I’m happy with my family, with my wife.)

Ang has yet to confirm if he’s now legally separated from his wife, Iris.