Jolina Magdangal and her son, Pele Escueta. Image: Instagram/@mariajolina_ig
The struggle is real for actress-TV host Jolina Magdangal who had to deal with the difficulty of being very far away from her firstborn Pele, who recently flew with his father, Rivermaya drummer-lead singer Mark Escueta to the United States.
On Instagram, the mother of two said that this also marked the first time that her nine-year-old son went away without her for a longer period as he joined his father for his work commitments abroad.
“Nakaalis na si Mark papuntang Amerika para sa concert tour nila….. at kasama nya si Pele. First time na malalayo si Pele sa akin nang matagal,” she shared. (Mark has left for the United States for their concert tour….. and Pele joined him. It’s the first time Pele will be away from me for a while.)
The “Magandang Buhay” host claimed that she’s been trying to keep herself busy to cope with the situation, but to no avail. “Kahit anong isipin ko at kahit anong gawin ko para mabusy nang sa ganun hindi ko masyado maisip [na malayo si Pele]… pero hindi kinaya,” Magdangal shared.
(Whatever I think of and whatever I do to keep myself busy so that I won’t think too much of Pele being away, but I just can’t do it.)
In fact, she had been preparing for her husband and son’s departure, and revealed how she’d been secretly crying to release some of her emotions, with hopes of not breaking down when the two leave.
“Ilang gabi na ako umiiyak nang pasikreto para mabawasan bigat ng dibdib ko para pag dumating itong araw na ito [na aalis na sila,] kayang-kaya ko na di humagulgol…pero hindi ko talaga kinaya.” (I have been crying for several nights in secret to take some weight off my chest, so that when the day of their departure comes, I’ll truly be able to avoid breaking down…but I really couldn’t help but do so.)
In the photos she uploaded — some of which seem to be taken on the day of the flight — the former Kapuso artist was visibly in an emotional state.
Magdangal, who reiterated the pain of being separated from her husband and son, shared that she constantly prays that in each day that she and her son are not together, Pele’s heart would grow that he becomes a good kid even more, and be more loving and caring, be even more creative, more grateful, and most importantly, that the joy in his heart grows even more.
She also thanked her husband for the assurance he has given her while they remain miles away from each other, and promised Escueta that she’ll continue to take good care of their daughter, five-year-old Vika.
Magdangal also expressed her appreciation of Vika, with whom she finds comfort. “Gusto ko din mag thank you kay Vika, kasi nakakahinga pa rin ako dahil andito sya sa tabi ko. Sya pa talaga umaalalay sakin,” she shared. (I also want to thank Vika because I’m still able to breathe because she’s here with me. She’s even the one who’s supporting me.)
With the way things are going, Magdangal wonders how she’ll be able to cope if Pele decides to study abroad. “Haaaaay!!!! 2 months lang malalayo nagkaganito na ako. [P]ano pa kaya kung ginusto nya mag-aral sa ibang bansa? Paano na ako?” she said.
(Haaaaay!!!! We’ll only be apart for two months and I’m already like this. What more if he decides to study abroad? What will happen to me?)
The “Tawag ng Tanghalan” judge, in capping off her emotional post, engaged her followers and asked if any of them can relate to her situation. She also called the attention of mothers with kids who are far away from them, and asked, “[P]aano nyo nakakaya? (How are you able to cope?)”
The celebrity couple were married twice in November 2011 — a church wedding on November 19 and a garden wedding, two days after, on November 21. Last month, their entire family attended the first birthday party of Dimples Romana’s son and Magdangal’s godson, Elio Ahmee. EDV