Maricel Laxa with her father Tony Ferrer and sister Mutya Laxa. Image: Instagram/@mommymaricel
Maricel Laxa opened up on her relationship with her father, the late veteran actor Tony Ferrer, recounting a time when he introduced Laxa to his other children as his niece.
Laxa spoke about how she had not known her father really well while growing up, in her and her husband Anthony Pangilinan’s interview with broadcaster Karen Davila, as seen on Davila’s YouTube channel yesterday, April 16. Laxa clarified that although that was the case, her mother Imelda Ilanan made efforts for them to meet each other.
“Merong time na kinakailangang protektahan ng daddy ko ‘yung pamilya niya. Pinakilala niya ako na pamangkin niya sa mga kapatid ko,” Laxa recalled. “It was a major pain that I experienced at the time kasi hindi ko siya naintindihan, pero kinausap ko ‘yung daddy ko, ‘Bakit kailangan mangyari ‘yon?’ Sabi niya, ‘Kasi hindi pa nila maiintindihan.'”
(There was a time when my father needed to protect his family. He introduced me as his niece to my siblings. It was a major pain that I experienced at the time because I did not understand it but I asked my father, “Why does it have to be like that?” he said, “Because they would not yet understand.”)
The actress admitted that she was affected by her father’s decision which, according to Pangilinan, reflected on her actions and how she avoided being with Ferrer. Pangilinan narrated a time when their children visited Ferrer but Laxa did not join them.
“But I knew I was loved, I knew I was special but somehow there was a question na [that], ‘Would I be acknowledged?’ Hindi lang siguro tampo ‘yung naramdaman ko (I felt more than just sulking),” she said. “It was really something I couldn’t figure out in my heart and in my head. I just grew up trusting [that] that’s what they think is best.”
Laxa also shared how she eventually made peace with her feelings for her father, noting that her longing for him overpowered the pain she felt. She then recalled when she and her siblings gathered days before Ferrer passed, describing the moment as a “miracle” as her ill feelings for him went away completely.
“Dumating ako doon and ‘yung mga kapatid ko nandoon and then tinanong kami ng daddy ko, ‘May atraso ba ako sa inyo?” Laxa stated. “I have to say, that is one miracle that the Lord provides at the time when you need it the most. Walang kahit na isang bahid na tampo or question in my heart na kailangan namin i-settle at that time.”
(I arrived there, my siblings were there and our father asked us, “Do I have unfinished business with any of you?” I have to say, that is one miracle that the Lord provides at the time when you need it the most. There was not a single trace of grudge or question that we had to settle at that time.)
Ferrer died at the age of 86 in January last year. He was an action star and was dubbed as the Philippines’ James Bond. Ferrer was known for his role as Tony Falcon in the Agent X44 movie series.
Laxa and Pangilinan have five children together namely Ella, Benjamin, Solana, vlogger Hannah and actor Donny. JB
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