Janice de Belen in tears as she comforts ‘Mini Ms. U’ contestant with broken family

Janice de Belen and a “Mini Ms. U” contestant. Image: screengrab from Facebook/It’s Showtime

Janice de Belen was emotional as she tried to comfort a “Mini Ms. U” contestant in “It’s Showtime” who spoke candidly about her pain of having separated parents.

Jewel Francine Sotelo, 5, was among the finalists who shared their wishes and dreams at the “Mini Ms. U” semifinals, as seen on the noontime show’s episode on Tuesday, Oct. 3.

“Nalulungkot po ako kapag meron akong nakikitang buong pamilya kasi kami lang po ni ate at ni mama ang magkasama. Sana po maranasan ko rin po magkaroon ng papa at ng buong pamilya,” Sotelo said.

(I get sad whenever I see complete families because I only live with my mom and my older sister. I wish I can also experience having a father and a complete family.)

Speaking to show hosts Vice Ganda and Amy Perez, Sotelo explained, “Kasi kaya wala po si Papa do’n sa bahay [ay dahil] naghiwalay sila [ni Mama].” (My dad does not live with us because he and my mom have separated.)

Sotelo admitted that she feels sad because her father does not live with them, saying she just copes with his absence by playing games on her mom’s mobile phone. The child then clarified that she still spends time with her dad through video call and occasional visits.

“Ang sakit po (It hurts),” Sotelo answered when Vice Ganda asked what she feels whenever she longs for her dad’s presence.

“Papa, sana po pinapanood mo po ako ngayon sa ‘Showtime.’ I love you po,” a tearful Sotelo then addressed her dad. (Papa, I hope you’re watching me now here in “It’s Showtime.” I love you.)

When sought for comment, segment judge De Belen went to Sotelo and gave her a long tight hug. De Belen then spoke about how her children have also been in the same situation as Sotelo, but that it does not mean that they receive love any less.

“Ang mga anak ko, hindi rin nila kasama si mommy at si daddy sa isang bahay,” De Belen told the kid. “Pero hindi ibig sabihin na hindi kumpleto ang pakiramdam nila kasi may mommy ka, may ate ka, may daddy ka.”

(My children also do not have their mommy and daddy living together in the same house. But that does not mean that they feel incomplete because the fact that they have a mom, a sister and a dad still remains.)

“Always remember [na] ang pinakaimportante [ay] may nagmamahal sa’yo. Hindi man natin makuha lahat ng gusto natin, ang importante [ay] meron pa ring nagmamahal sa’yo,” the actress continued. “Just pray hard that one day ‘yung mga sana mo ay mangyari kasi hindi man ngayon o bukas, maybe pag mas malaki ka na ng konti mangyari rin ‘yung mga sana mo.”

(Always remember that what’s important is that you are loved. We may not have everything that we want, but what matters is that someone loves [us]. Just pray hard that one day all your wishes will come true. They may not happen today or tomorrow but maybe they will when you become older.)

De Belen shares her eldest child, Luigi, with actor Aga Muhlach, and her four younger children—namely Inah, Moira, Kaila and Yuan—with actor John Estrada.  /ra