Janella Salvador says giving ‘a good life’ to son Jude is her priority

Janella Salvador (right) with her son Jude Trevor Paterson. Image: Instagram/@superjanella

Janella Salvador is all mama mode, saying her main priority now is to give her three-year-old son Jude “a good life,” while admitting that leaving him behind for work can be tough for her.

Salvador admitted during an ABS-CBN News interview on the sidelines of her contract signing that her priorities have changed as a mother, and she’s focused on “saving enough” for her son’s life.

“I honestly get so sad when I have to leave him when I have to leave the country and leave him at home. I actually cry sometimes,” she said. “Iniisip ko na lang, it’s true. I do everything for him now because I want to give him a good life. I want us to have a good life. I want to save enough.”

The actress-singer also shared that she understands some of her mother Jenine Desiderio’s concerns now that she has a child of her own, although she noted that she might see things differently when Jude “becomes a teenager.”

“I will never stop worrying about Jude, about what he’s doing. But at the same time, it’s the most fulfilling thing. It warms my heart so much to see him happy, to see him thriving. It’s the best thing,” she said.

During the interview, Salvador also said she’ll support her son if he wants to get into showbiz as he’s a “super friendly” child who’s “not afraid to express himself” but pointed out that she would only allow it if he truly wants to.

“Hindi ako bibong bata [when I was young]. [But] si Jude is super friendly. I see that he’s not afraid to express himself and talk to strangers. So if he’s interested, then why not,” she said. “Papayagan ko siya kung nakikita ko that he wants it. But I won’t put him in that situation.”

(I was not a vivacious child when I was young. But Jude is super friendly. I see that he’s not afraid to express himself and talk to strangers. So if he’s interested, then why not? But I will only let him if I can see that he wants it. But I won’t put him in that situation.)

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Co-parenting

When asked how her co-parenting setup with ex-boyfriend Markus Paterson is doing, Salvador said they’re “doing great” but puts her foot down about their son staying with her.

“We’re doing great. We’re okay. He makes an effort to see Jude. But of course, Jude stays with me,” she said while sharing that the actor went to his home in the UK for “temporary work” matters.

“Right now kasi, [Markus] went to the UK. Naghanap muna siya ng temporary work d’un. I think he’s coming back eventually. And every time he’s here in the Philippines, he makes it a point to borrow Jude every weekend,” he said.

Salvador and Paterson welcomed their son in October 2020 but went public with his arrival three months later.

The “Viral Scandal” actor then confirmed in September 2022 that he and Salvador had already parted ways “almost a year ago,” but they remained mum on the cause of their split.