For Marlo Mortel, Morissette Amon still ‘one of the kindest persons in show biz’

Morissette Amon (left) and Mortel

Singer-actor Marlo Mortel, who admitted having dated singer Morissette Amon for a year in 2016, said he was sure that whatever the latter was going through emotionally was an effect of the rift between her and her father.

“I know Morissette to be one of the kindest persons in show biz,” Marlo told reporters during the recent presscon of Joven Tan’s “Damaso.” The screen musical started screening nationwide on Nov. 20.

“I also know that she loves her family so much, and that she feels hurt every time their problem is being talked about publicly,” Marlo shared with reporters.

Morissette hogged the headlines recently when she walked out of a concert at Music Museum. The singer supposedly got offended by questions about her family that was asked in an ambush interview by a TV reporter.

“Prior to that incident, I know that she was going through something difficult. She’s the type who would never release a statement, even though her dad posted comments online, because she values her family so much. She doesn’t mind being attacked on social media. What’s important is that her loved ones are spared,” Marlo said.

Morissette’s dad, Amay, had posted cryptic messages in his social media accounts that many of his followers believed to be about Morissette and his disapproval of her relationship with fellow singer David Lamar.

Marlo Mortel

Marlo offered his two cents worth. “I would never walk out or neglect a commitment I already said ‘yes’ to. In fact, I flew to Bacolod to sing at an engagement the day after my mom died. People were telling me not to go anymore, but I love my work. I didn’t want to disappoint them. I know my responsibility as an artist.”

Marlo said that for Morissette to have done what she did, the latter must already be feeling the weight of the trouble at home. “It must be weighing her down. I feel that they have to really sit down to fix it,” he added.

Marlo said he has already tried reaching out to Morissette after the walk-out incident. The latter replied by saying she was OK and was trying to be at her best.

“If you know that a person is going through depression, you should be more understanding and sensitive of his or her feelings. We know that there are many cases of people who put themselves in danger because of depression,” he pointed out.

Marlo said he first became “close” to Morissette in 2016. “I’d like to think that we had something special until 2017. But her parents are really strict and overprotective. Aside from that, we also had our respective careers to take care of,” he confessed.

In “Damaso,” Marlo plays a screenwriter named Ferdie. The movie, produced by Regis Films and Reality Entertainment, also features Vina Morales, Ejay Falcon, Mon Confiado and Arnell Ignacio as Damaso.