“This is the first time something like this happened in my career,” he says. “It’s hard, but I welcome the challenge. When I turned 50, accepted ko nang that I’ll now be playing father roles kasi I can’t compete naman with the much younger leading men. But last year, I was paired with Bea Alonzo in ‘Sana Bukas Pa ang Kahapon’ and now, with Yen in ‘All of Me’, so this is a different career positioning for me dahil pwede pa pala akong ipareha with much younger leading ladies kahit 54 na ako. Yung love team ko with Yen now has its own following. AlYen ang tawag sa amin at kinikilig sila sa amin. Balak ko nga, later, gumawa kami ni Yen ng movie na maganda at bagay sa amin ang story. ‘All of Me’ is extended until March while ‘Probinsyano’ will run until July, 2016.”
So how is he now after his wife left? “I’m still grieving. There are moments when the memories come and I feel so sad, like this coming Christmas, first Pasko naming wala siya. Usually, siyang nagde-decorate ng bahay namin. But now, wala na siya, we just put up the tree ng youngest daughter namin, si Alyssa. Siya na lang ang natitirang kasama ko. Alyanna has been living on her own since three years ago pa. Si Alfonso naman, administrator ng bahay ng lola niya sa New Manila while she’s recovering. Having two soaps that keep me so busy six days a week definitely helps ease the pain of the grieving process kasi naaalis dun ang isip ko.”
How’s Amalia Fuentes now? “I’m not the best person to ask. It should be the Muhlachs. But according to my children, she’s recovering well. But of course, it will be a long process as she’ll undergo therapy pa.”
Has he visited her? “I’m just waiting for the right time kapag okay na okay na siya. I’m praying maka-recover siya nang maayos. Whatever happened naman to us, wala na sa’kin, tapos na yun. I’ll be very happy to visit her kapag sinabi nilang puede na.”
Will he still remarry? “Hindi ko masabi. I’m only 54. But right now, hindi ko iniisip yun. Ang gusto ko nga, magkaapo na, kasi nami-miss ko yung may bata sa bahay. E, kaso, ang mga anak ko, wala pang balak mag-asawa. Alyanna is 30, Alfonso is 29 and Alyssa is 22. May mga boyfriend, girlfriend na sila. I’ve met all of them and their parents, but wala pang may balak mag-asawa.”
