Albert Martinez: ‘Going home will be difficult without Liezl’

By: Bayani San Diego Jr. - 10 years ago

Screengrab from Albert Martinez’ Instagram account

MANILA, Philippines–For the first time, actor-director Albert Martinez broke his silence on the passing of wife, actress Liezl Martinez.

In an exclusive series of phone interviews with the Inquirer, Albert admitted that he and his three children—Alyanna, Alfonso and Alissa—are still reeling from the “devastating” loss.

Albert, however, clarified that, contrary to TV reports, his late wife Liezl succumbed to multiple organ failure after a new bout with cancer, which she valiantly fought for six months.

“She had previously survived cancer twice—breast cancer in 2008 and lung cancer in 2011. But this new one was an aggressive form of cancer—from the breasts, it quickly spread to her liver and stomach,” he recalled.

He would rather not touch on the controversy that erupted during the cremation ceremony last Monday when his mother-in-law Amalia Fuentes stormed out of the venue because she had felt “neglected” during the rites.

READ: Amalia Fuentes nagalit, naglabas ng sama ng loob sa libing ni Liezl

Albert clarified that it was never his intention to offend or ignore anyone.

Suffice it to say, “we need to heal and cope together as a family,” he said.

He expressed gratitude to all their relatives and friends who prayed for Liezl, who sympathized with them and respected her wish for privacy as she battled cancer.

“The overwhelming show of support and concern proves that Liezl is well-loved and will be missed by many people,” he said.

He compared Liezl to a “precious jewel that I can never replace in my heart.”

He recalled that Liezl “remained strong, steadfast and courageous” throughout her seven-year struggle with cancer.

READ: ‘She was my wife, partner, best friend’—Albert Martinez

“She didn’t want to give up,” he recounted. “She still had lots of plans and dreams for our family.”

They had their share of ups and downs in their 30-year marriage, but Liezl was constantly “nurturing and loyal” until the end, he said.

On his Facebook page, Albert said: “She was not just a celebrity or a public servant—for us, she was a supportive wife, devoted mother, loving daughter, caring cousin, doting aunt. We will miss all the wonderful things that she was in our lives.”

Albert asked his FB friends: “Please continue praying for our family as we try to overcome our grief and loneliness in the coming days.”

“It will be difficult, going back to our home, without Liezl,” he told the Inquirer, especially since Liezl’s birth anniversary was just around the corner. She would’ve turned 48 on March 27.

He explained that he filled the wake’s venue with a thousand white roses, his wife’s favorite, “to give her all the flowers I wanted to give her, in advance, for our future Valentine’s Day and wedding anniversary celebrations.”