LJ Reyes with her family | Image: @lj_reyes IG
LJ Reyes expressed her gratitude for the life she is currently living as she paid tribute to 2023, which she said brought her great things.
On Wednesday, Jan. 10, the former actress posted an Instagram reel featuring the blended family she is building with non-showbiz partner Philip Evangelista.
“I just want to share my gratitude for what God has done in my life. During the holidays, I looked back to the year that was through the photos on my phone. I tried so hard to fit all of the memorable photos and videos into a reel, but it just wouldn’t fit!” she wrote.
Reyes said that God blessed her with a “new life” better than what she had expected.
“He blessed me with more than just my prayers. He blessed me with a new life that is better than I could imagine,” she said.
In 2021, Reyes moved to New York City, together with her children Aki and Summer, after her publicized breakup with actor Paolo Contis, whom she had been with for six years.
Reyes first broke her silence on her separation from Contis in an interview with Boy Abunda, saying she didn’t know how she endured the pain if it wasn’t for the Lord.
“It was so difficult. It was painful. Kung hindi malakas ang pananampalataya ko sa Panginoon, hindi ko alam kung saan ako pupulutin,” she said.
“Matagal ko nang nararamdamang nakahiwalay na siya sa amin,” commented Reyes on Contis, who is now dating Yen Santos.
In 2023, the retired celebrity surprised her Instagram followers by saying that she had been engaged to Evangelista, and they tied the knot in October of the same year.
After Reyes’ announcement, Contis expressed his happiness and congratulated his former partner.
“Of course I am very happy for her, very happy. Nabalitaan ko on the way na ako sa shoot. Feeling ko naman hindi ako ‘yung dapat ano… siyempre naiintindihan ko na kukunan ako ng reaksiyon, but again, I am very, very happy for her,” said the actor-host.