Lee O’Brian and his daughter Malia. Image: Instagram/@leeobrian
As his daughter Malia turned a year older, Lee O’Brian recalled the day of her birth and described it as the “best moment of [his] life.”
The American actor penned a birthday greeting to Malia through his Instagram page on Thursday, Jan. 18.
O’Brian, who was earlier ordered deported by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) for violating his work visa, appears to have celebrated the occasion away from the child as he only showed old photos of her.
“Happy birthday, sweet Malia my love! Wishing you the very best in life and so many more blessings and happiness. I love you so much!” he said.
“Six years ago today was the best moment of my life and I have been so proud of you every moment since then,” he declared. “Enjoy your day to the fullest because you deserve the absolute best! Love you, sweetheart! And Nana, Grandpa and Tita love you too!”
O’Brian did not receive any response from Malia, whose Instagram page appears to be managed by his estranged partner Pokwang.
Meanwhile, the actress-comedian also dedicated a compilation video for Malia via the former’s Instagram page.
“Mahal na mahal kita. Walang hindi kayang gawin si mama para sa inyo ni ate,” she wrote. “Lahat ng dapat suungin, susuungin ko, lahat ng dapat iluha at dapat iinda sasaluhin ko, maging maayos at komportable lang ang dadaanan mo sa buhay patungo sa mga pangarap niyo.”
(I love you so much. Mama will do everything for you and your older sister. I will face everything, all the pain and tears, just to give you a comfortable life while you achieve your goals.)
Pokwang and O’Brian, who had been in a relationship for around six years, welcomed Malia in 2018. The former couple confirmed their separation in July 2022.
The comedian filed in June last year a deportation complaint and cancellation of visa against O’Brian, claiming that he had been using a tourist visa even when he had been staying in the country for the past eight years.
O’Brian, in turn, issued a counter-affidavit, but the BI released a decision in December ordering the actor’s deportation.