(From left) Trina Candaza, baby Mithi, Carlo Aquino. Image: Nice Print Photography via @trinacandaza
Trina Candaza, the ex-girlfriend of Carlo Aquino, has spoken up about the actor’s recent statements that he was allegedly banned from seeing their daughter Mithi, as well as reveal that they’ve been separated since December 2021.
Aquino confirmed that he and Candaza have broken up in April 2022, and have been co-parenting their daughter Mithi, who was born in September 2020. To actor previously claimed that he was prevented from seeing their daughter Mithi.
In an interview with Ogie Diaz last January 15, Candaza revealed that she felt “offended” for being accused of forbidding the “Expensive Candy” star from taking care of baby Mithi and for allegedly not paying their expenses.
“‘Yung mga headline ngayon na hindi ko raw pinapahiram si Mithi at siya ang bumubuhay sa aming dalawa,” she said. “That’s not true because I also pay half of our expenses so para sa akin, dalawa kaming nagpo-provide. Pwede niyang sabihin na nagsu-sustento siya kay Mithi kasi totoo ‘yun pero para sabihin sa’kin na binibuhay [niya] kami. Nakaka-offend sa part ko ‘yun kasi nagtatrabaho din ako.”
(The headlines claiming that I don’t let him see Mithi and that he’s the one providing for the two of us are not true because I also pay half of our expenses. For me, the two of us are providers. He could’ve said that he also has a part in raising Mithi because it’s true; but for him to say that he’s the only one providing for our family is offending on my part since I work hard too.)
Candaza then expressed her sentiments on why men are viewed in a more positive light compared to single mothers when it comes to co-parenting and providing for their families.
“Napansin ko po ‘to generally na kapag ang lalaki nagbibigay ng sustento for a month, mabuting tatay na sila. Pero kapag sa single moms, nagtatrabaho kami, inaalagaan namin ‘yung anak namin, kapag may sakit ‘yung bata. Pero once na may mali kaming magawa, masamang ina na kami.
(I had generally noticed that if men provide financial support for a month, they’re seen as good fathers. But for single moms who do their jobs, take care of their children, especially when they’re sick, but mess up once, we’re seen as bad mothers.)
The model-vlogger also admitted that she needs to take on a lot of jobs to be able to keep up with Aquino’s financial support.
“Para kay Carlo kasi, ‘yung sustento niya, he can earn it in a day. Pero ako ‘yung pino-provide ko na half, ilang trabaho ‘yung katapat para ma-provide ko ‘yung one month… Ang convenient pala maging lalaki,” she said.
(Carlo can earn his share in a day. For me who provides half, I have to work many jobs to keep up with his financial support. It’s convenient to be a man.)
Candaza also clarified that Aquino visits their daughter and he fulfills his responsibility as a father, but he allegedly will “only give the bare minimum.”
“Nagbibigay siya ng sustento. Minsan, pinupuntahan naman niya si Mithi or pinapasundo niya. And nagagampanan naman niya pero he will only give the bare minimum. He will not extend efforts,” she added.
(He gives his share. Sometimes, he visits Mithi or asks someone to pick her up. He does his responsibility, but he will only give the bare minimum. He will not extend efforts.)
Even if Aquino can visit Mithi “anytime,” Candaza hoped that the actor would be respectful when it comes to introducing their daughter to his romantic partners.
“Respect na lang muna sa akin na huwag muna ipakilala si Mithi sa mga panibagong partner. Kasi ayaw ko rin ma-instill sa utak ng anak ko na okay lang magpapalit-palit ng partner,” she explained. “Kaya para sa’kin, if ever man dumating ‘yung panahon na may papakasalan na siya, siguro ‘yun kailangan na namin magkita-kita. Hahayaan ko sila mag-bonding kasi siya naman ang tatayong pangalawang ina ni Mithi.”
(Please respect Mithi and I when it comes to introducing his new partner. I don’t want my daughter to think that it’s okay to change partners. For me, if ever he meets someone he wants to marry, I guess that’s the time where they can meet. I would allow them to bond since she would be Mithi’s second mother.)
Candazaa also confirmed that she’s been separated from Aquino since December 2021, but when asked why their break-up wasn’t announced, she admitted that they’ve been waiting for either parties to reveal the status of their relationship.
“N’ung December 2021, binigyan ko siya ng options na kapag binigay niya samin ‘yung treatment na dapat lang na ma-receive namin na treatment na tama lang, magi-stay kami. Pero kung hindi, aalis na kami,” she said. “Pinili namin na hindi ilabas kasi naghihintay kami kung sinong unang maglalabas [ng balita].”
(In December 2021, I gave him the option that if he would give us the treatment that we deserve to have, we would stay. But if he doesn’t, we would leave. We chose to not reveal the status of our relationship because we’re waiting for who will announce it to the public first.)
Despite their breakup, Candaza is happy that Aquino is doing well especially with his new romance.
“Wala naman na po ako [sa posisyon magsabi] kung masaya siya or hindi. Good for him kung masaya siya. Ang sa akin lang is ‘yung kay Mithi lang,” she added. Kung titignan ko si Mithi, syempre sino bang nanay ang ayaw bigyan ng buong pamilya ‘yung anak niya? Pero kung iisipin ko yung naging relationship namin ni Carlo noon, parang hindi na rin magwo-work kung sakali man.”
(I am not in the position to say that he deserves to be happy or not. Good for him if he’s happy, I am only concerned for Mithi’s welfare. As Mithi’s mother, of course I want her to have a complete family. But if I look back at my relationship with Carlo before, I don’t think we can ever work out.)
Candaza and Aquino’s last public appearance together was during the celebration of Mithi’s second birthday in September 2022. The actor confirmed earlier this month that he’s dating actress Charlie Dizon. EDV