Max Collins, Panco Magno and their son Skye. Image: screengrab from YouTube/GMA Network, Instagram/@magnopancho
Max Collins confirmed that she and her husband, actor Pancho Magno, had parted ways at the height of the pandemic, saying she did not make their separation public at the time because she wanted to “quiet the noise.”
Speculations that the pair had broken up arose in 2021 after the actors held separate birthday parties for their son Skye’s first birthday.
The actress confirmed the split as she noted that she was finally ready to talk about it, during an interview for “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda” on Monday, May 29.
“We split up a long time ago during the pandemic and we didn’t talk about it because marami kaming pinagdaanan (we had gone through so much) as a family that time,” she told host Abunda.
“There was a pandemic, nanganak ako (I gave birth), my marriage was falling apart—I had to process everything and I wanted to quiet the noise,” she continued. “I didn’t want to hear other people’s opinions, suggestions, comments. I mean, artista na po ako ‘di ba. Ayoko namang gawing teleserye ‘yung buhay namin.” (I’m already an actress. I do not want to make a teleserye out of my life.)
Collins recounted how they were initially “in denial” of their problem, but they eventually didn’t want to “lie to [themselves] anymore.” She also stressed that they both fought hard for their eight-year relationship, and that their breakup was a mutual decision.
“I think every separation naman is difficult, but it was amicable. We were not working, and we needed to try spending time apart to see how that would work because we have a son to think about,” she stated. “To be honest, I believe that in order to have a happy child, his parents should be happy. That’s very important.”
Collins then disclosed that their separation “worked out for the best” not only for them but for their son, who she said has already been used to having separate time with his parents.
“We’re in a very good place now. Our child is almost three and he’s very happy and healthy, and we’re so blessed,” she stated. “We have a very good co-parenting relationship. We’re the best of friends actually. We’re closer now.”
When asked what she learned from her marriage with Magno, Collins answered, “I learned that you have to be honest with your partner.”
“You have to respect yourself, love yourself enough to leave the table when your needs aren’t being met,” she added. “This does not go for everyone. I’m sorry if I offend anyone, but this is something I have learned—that I need to love myself more to know what makes me happy and what can make me the best version of myself.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNhCVbsxtXA
Collins and Magno had been in a relationship for four years before they tied the knot in December 2017. The actress gave birth to Skye in 2020.