Ryle Paolo Santiago
Except for my blood and surname, I’m really a Tan,” according to show biz newcomer Ryle Paolo Santiago.
Ryle is the son of actress Sherilyn Reyes and Junjun Santiago, who is ABS-CBN’s business unit head for the noontime variety show “It’s Showtime.”
Ryle appears regularly in “It’s Showtime” as a member of the dance group Hashtags.
He explained: “It was Daddy (Chris) who took care of me since I was small. Unlike other stepdads, not only did he win my mom’s heart, but also mine. I’m so close to him that I sometimes forget he’s only my stepdad.”
After her breakup with Junjun, Sherilyn married former basketball player and now sports agent Chris Tan, with whom she has two kids.
Sherilyn revealed that Chris had wanted to legally adopt Ryle, “but the other party did not agree. Of course, we had to ask permission first.”
“It doesn’t matter. Chris said nothing will change. He will still be father to Paoie (Ryle’s nickname) no matter what,” she added. “He is such a hands-on father. While Chris treats all our kids equally, it’s Paoie whom he gets to bond with more often because Paoie is the eldest, and they share many interests.”
As to the kind of relationship Ryle has with his biological father, Sherilyn said: “It’s up to them. We never tried to keep Paoie from communicating with him. I know they talk with each other when they get the chance.
“We also say hello when we bump into each other at ABS-CBN. We may not be friends, but we’re not enemies.
“Papa and I aren’t super close, but we already have an understanding. We’ve agreed to forget whatever happened in the past. I will not carry his surname if we’re still not OK,” Ryle shared with reporters at the media launch for Cherub baby products, which the actor is endorsing.
Ryle, now 19, was just 3 years old when his parents broke up. “I would stay with one parent for a week, then with another until Papa (Junjun) had to go abroad for work. He couldn’t bring me along, so they agreed to have me stay with my mom. I never took that against him. I supported him,” he recalled.
His advice to millennials like him whose parents have long separated and now have their respective families: “Let’s be happy for them. There’s a reason their relationship didn’t work out.”
Ryle elaborated, “We should just support their decision, especially if both of them have already moved on and are now happy with their new partners. At least, we know that they did it for everyone’s best interest.”
“I’m proud of the lineage. I have super cool uncles,” Ryle added, referring to actors Randy and Raymart and actor-director Rowell.
“I admire them so much because of their contributions to the industry.”
The young dancer-actor is also part of the latest Kapamilya drama series “Asintado,” starring Julia Montes, Paulo Avelino and Aljur Abrenica.
Ryle disclosed: “In the beginning, I thought I’d just play a supporting character, a comic relief. I later realized that he is very important in the show.
“Being part of it allows me to work alongside veteran actors I look up to. A good break like this doesn’t come very often. I will do my best.”