Jaclyn Jose on being a doting grandma and working with the Superstar

Jaclyn Jose

With a new grandchild and project offers coming in despite the pandemic, Jaclyn Jose couldn’t be more grateful.

“I feel blessed because my child is healthy and all my apos are healthy. And these days, that’s all you could ask for, really. I’m just praying that no one gets sick,” she said at a recent press conference for Godfather Productions.

Last month, Jaclyn’s daughter, Andi Eigenmann, gave birth to her third kid, a boy named Koa. The baby is her second with her partner, surfer Philmar Alipayo. They also have a daughter, Lilo, who’s now 1. Andi’s eldest, daughter Ellie—with ex-boyfriend Jake Ejercito—is now 9.

“My new apo is so gwapo … mestizo. They all have their own beauty,” Jaclyn gushed. “I see myself in all of them!”Jaclyn has been a doting lola, making the most out of her grandchildren’s stay in Manila, before the family returns to Siargao Island, where they are now based. “Things are going well. I took care of Lilo while Andi gave birth. Andi returned from the hospital after three days, and it was as if nothing happened. She’s the strongest woman—well, aside from …” she jested. “I bring her malunggay soup and other food. I take care of her requests.”

Because she’s around babies often recently, Jaclyn makes sure to take extra precautions. “As much as possible I really just stay at home. When I have to work, I do room quarantine for two weeks. I don’t visit them. I always carry a big bottle of alcohol,” she related. “Prevention is better than cure. Mahirap na.”

The 56-year-old artist has nothing but support for Andi and Philmar’s relationship. “They’re genuinely happy and living their lives to the fullest,” she observed. “They don’t dwell on negativity or things that will drag them down.”

Asked when the couple plans to tie the knot, Jaclyn said the wedding may take place next year. “I’m pretty sure it will be there in Siargao. Let’s wait for the pandemic to end first. Actually, everything will depend on that—the wedding, the baby’s baptismal,” said the actress who hopes to spend time in the picturesque island, given the opportunity.

“Their place there has been completed, and they’re having items shipped from Manila. I would love to visit them,” she related. “They’re just so positive.” Not a few fans have been wondering whether or not Andi still plans to work and return to show biz, because, by the looks of it, she is seemingly content with the simple island life. Jaclyn said Andi is still interested in acting, but will probably prioritize indie projects. “Right now, she’s focused on taking care of her family. But she still receives good offers. In fact she had one around the time she announced that she was pregnant,” she related. “She told me, ‘Nay, kapag kaya ko na.’” “Maybe she will do indie films, because soap operas will take a lot of her time.” After “Anak ng Macho Dancer,” Jaclyn—the first Filipino and Southeast Asian actress to win best actress at the Cannes Film Festival—will do “Kontrabida” next, which also features Nora Aunor and director Joel Lamangan.

“I always look forward to working with people like Ate Guy and Direk Joel; I was with them in ‘Flor Contemplacion’ (1995),” she recalled. “Masaya, nakakatakot at nakakanerbyos. But it’s always a pleasure.” INQ