How should ex-couples announce their breakups? Experts weigh in
In the digital age, the dynamics of relationships have expanded not just within the walls of physical spaces but also to digital platforms, including social media. From soft launching to hard launching, we now have social media rituals that identify the real score between a couple. However, just as relationships are born and celebrated online, […]
Tomas Kauer - News Moderator 
In the digital age, the dynamics of relationships have expanded not just within the walls of physical spaces but also to digital platforms, including social media.
From soft launching to hard launching, we now have social media rituals that identify the real score between a couple.
However, just as relationships are born and celebrated online, there are also failed ones that former couples cap off with a confirmation.
But when it comes to breakup announcements, what are the things the parties should consider, especially if they are in the public eye, to avoid unnecessary commotion?
GMA News Online talked to three experts to discuss the importance of breakup announcements and ohw they should be done.
Why are breakup announcements important?
Psychologist Lordy Santos, also known online as Tito Mong Psychologist, said that break-up announcements, especially those done through joint statements, demonstrate the existence of mutual respect from both parties.
“Such announcements should be done as comprehensively as possible without violating the privacy boundaries of each party involved, and as directly and honestly as possible to prevent rumors or speculations,” he said.
“It should be done in an appropriate and formal platform so they can immediately reach their target audience without sacrificing the authenticity of the event. It should be done with respect rather than resentment which can only occur if it is done at the right time,” he added.
How should the breakup be announced?
Couples should be careful in making sure that they appear amicable and peaceful to avoid negative publicity, Communication Consultant Pola del Monte said.
“I think that that is ideal because, as you can see, when other people create stories, it can destroy the other person’s character, and that’s really difficult, especially when your careers depend on your image,” she said.
She also thinks that doing joint statements will help the parties attain this.
“If they release a joint statement, parang there’s already an understanding that the other knows that I am talking about our relationship in this manner as opposed to if there’s only one person,” del Monte said. “Kasi there’s always two sides to a story, so it’s better na both of them seem united, and I guess it also shows a sense of respect for their history because you also want to honor that at one point, you were a team, and then you’ve decided gracefully to end that partnership.”
When it comes to the announcement’s timing, Santos said that it would be ideal if they could avoid making the announcement “at the height of their emotions or at the heat of the moment.”
“It would be ideal to discuss things internally first, have their emotions felt and be acknowledged, and then come up with a mutual agreement where both parties agreed,” he said.
He also recommends that they “strike a balance about the information that they are about to share. It would also be ideal to control and respond to the flow of information that may be shared online and be ahead of possible rumors, clearing things up during the announcement or immediately after the announcement, before it can stir a controversy. “
For relationship podcaster Dani Buenvenida, Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla handled the announcement in a commendable way.
“I think the announcement was very heartfelt,” she said. “I think they announced it on the same day.”
They addressed their ex-partners respectfully,” she added. “They acknowledged the fact that they had a relationship…And they also said thank you to their fans, which, I think, is tama naman. Because the fans really supported them and were really there for them, really rooting for them.”
Addressing speculations after the announcement
Buenvenida acknowledged that when couples finally confirmed and announced the breakup, questions often still followed.
“Meron pa ring mga ibang tao na matatanong na ‘So ano ngang nangyari?’ Because again, people can be too invested in something,” she said. “I think people will always have something so say.”
Del Monte said that responding to the rumors is on a “case to case basis.”
“There’s no one umbrella response to that, but at the same time, I feel like it’s also their duty to provide the direction of the discourse, kasi if hahayaan mo na mag-proliferate ‘yung fake news, then you’re also contributing to a larger problem, ‘di ba?”
“Kung hindi man point by point ‘yung response is at least, in a way, to influence it or say something that will help guide people on how they should talk about something.”
She then reminded the public that former couples, including celebrities, are still human.
“On the other hand, I think this is also an opportunity to reflect on why people need to discuss the minutiae of other people’s relationships,” she said. “While public figures may need to discuss their private matters professionally in public to maintain their image, I think people also need to be reminded that public figures are also human.” —JCB, GMA Integrated News
