MANILA, Philippines – Actress Janice de Belen is grateful that her son Luigi Muhlach has overcome a tough phase in his life, having been a victim of drug addiction.
Apparently, the turning point for Luigi to better himself was starting a family. And although Janice initially had misgivings about this, she now couldn’t be prouder of him.
“…kung ito ang ikagaganda ng buhay niya, kung ito ‘yung ikaayos niya, then so be it. Hindi ganun kadali ang maging magulang when you don’t know what to do. Wala talaga siya sa libro, ‘yung eksaktong gagawin. Hindi mo makikita ‘yun eh. You have to go with your instincts, more than that you have to pray that what you’re doing is right, at tama ‘yung magiging outcome,” Janice told “The Buzz” on April 15.
Luigi’s struggle with drug use, as with his eventual rehabilitation, were revealed via his heartfelt interview on “Showbiz Inside Report” on Saturday. Luigi, Janice’s son with award-winning actor Aga Muhlach, admitted that after his mother and stepfather John Estrada separated, “medyo nagbulakbol ako nun.”
He got into drugs and other vices while he was in college.
Although it was painful for her, Janice was forced to send Luigi to a rehabilitation facility, where he stayed for a month.
“Naawa ako sa kanya, parang gusto kong magbago ‘yung isip, pero... you need to do what needs to be done. Kahit masakit, ganun talaga eh. Mas masakit siguro kung wala kang ginawa bilang magulang...,” said she.
Luigi admitted that he was furious at his mom at the time, and went to rehab with a heavy heart. He nevertheless acknowledged his wrongdoings.
“Actually s-in-urprise ako ng mom ko eh. Pinasok niya ko do’n but stop, wala na ko no’n, malinis na ko non,” said Luigi.
The TV host-actress likewise recalled how chaotic her relationship with Luigi was, saying, “There was a point na naiisip ko na ito bang nangyayari sa’ming mag-ina ay resulta ng mga nagawa kong pagpapaluha din sa aking mga magulang? Siyempre naisip ko kung ito na ba ‘yung karma ko?
“The other half of my brain is telling me it could be a phase. Hindi nga kaming dalawa magkaintindihan. ‘Yung kontrapelo kayong mag-ina. Maybe he was going through certain things na hindi ko naiiintindihan.”
Janice couldn’t hide her tears on “Showbiz Inside Report,” where she serves as one of the hosts, after the airing of Luigi’s interview. She went on to vent out her frustrations as a mother and single parent who also took care of her four other kids to John Estrada.
“Nung time na nagda-drugs siya it was so hard for me na maniwala sa ibang tao at tanggapin na hindi ko siya napalaki nang maayos. Kasi ‘pag single parent ka, ‘pag maayos ‘yung nangyayari sa anak mo, hindi mo naman nakukuha ‘yung credit nang solo eh. Pero ‘pag napariwara ‘yung anak mo, ikaw lang mag-isa ang may kasalanan niyan. I’m just thankful na nagawa ko lahat ito. Kasi parang… iba eh. Ikaw ‘yung responsable sa pagkatao nung tao…” she related.
Learning that he was going to be a father at 22 years old became, in his own words, a “wake-up call” for Luigi. In 2009, he tied the knot with Patricia, whom he’s thankful to have met at what could very well be the lowest point of his life.
“I didn’t want a broken family,” he quipped.
The couple now has two children. Luigi is also etching his own success through a restaurant he has put up.
His message to his parents?
“Thank you. Tough love ang nangyari sa’min. I’m thankful na naging ganun sila sa’kin,” said he.
Charlene’s reaction
Apart from Aga and Janice, Charlene Gonzales, the former’s wife, is also happy for Luigi.
“I’m just so happy to say that after everything that he’s been through, he has has become an even better person today,” said she during a live discussion on “The Buzz.”
Notwithstanding the difficulty times, Charlene said “Aga and I were there for Luigi.”
She, however, admitted that “it also came to a point na pinag-usapan din namin ito ni Aga and Janice that we also have to let him fall in order to become a better person, in order to become stronger and to learn, and to overcome ‘yung battle na pinagdaanan niya sa buhay.”
“As a stepmom, at first talagang medyo mahirap talaga. Kasi... hindi mo talaga alam kung saan mo ilulugar ang sarili mo ‘di ba? Parang hindi mo alam if what you do will be taken in right or bad context,” the former beauty queen added.
source: mb.com.ph
