(From left) Kate Cruz, Rita Avila, Jaclyn Jose. Images: Instagram/@msritaavila, Instagram/@jaclynjose
Rita Avila found herself in the hot seat after her Instagram post about her daughter Kate Cruz was perceived as a lowkey shade on the children of her good friend, the late actress Jaclyn Jose.
Avila’s March 7 Instagram post garnered differing reactions from her followers after she spoke about hoping that Jose had a companion, just like what she had with her daughter. The “Hearts on Ice” star recalled that Cruz was crying to her upon learning of Jose’s death, saying she was scared of losing her as well since she was almost the same age as the 2016 Cannes Film Festival Best Actress.
“Salamat sa Diyos Ama na may Kate ako. Sana si Jaclyn din ano, may kasama? (Para may companion sha; a friend, anak-anakan, relative. Her children are already adults who naturally have their own lives. Walang mali doon),” she wrote.
(Thank you to the Lord that I have Kate. I hope Jaclyn has a companion, am I right? So she has a companion — it can be a friend, daughter, or relative. Her children are already adults who naturally have their own lives. There’s nothing wrong with that.)
In the comments of her post, the “Stella Magtanggol” star pointed out that it was not her intention to compare her family situation with Jose, and clarified that it was meant to be “wishful thinking” for the latter as a “friend” of hers.
“Malinaw naman na ako ay nagpapasalamat dito sa post ko… Wishful thinking for a friend na sana may kasama [siya] kasi alam ko mas sasaya sana [siya]. According to her interviews, sad at lonely [siya],” she said, saying she has blocked two commenters who questioned her motives behind her statements.
“Walang patama sa mga anak niya dahil alam ko naman ang buhay nila. Wala pong koneksyon sa kanila ang post ko. Malisyosa, walang alam, mahilig lang makialam ang makakapag-isip ng marumi na gagawin pa akong masama,” she continued.
(It’s clear that my post was meant to say thank you. It’s wishful thinking for a friend for her to have a companion because I know that she would be happier. According to her interviews, she’s sad and lonely. This is not meant to throw shade at her children because I know what they’re going through. My post is in no way connected to them. Those who are malicious, not knowing anything, and love to make such conclusions would think otherwise, almost to the point of making me look bad.)
Image: Screengrab from Instagram/@msritaavila
Two days later, Avila once again came to her defense in a separate post, where she pointed out that she never questioned Jose’s situation when it came to her family and personal life.
“Sa isang post ko na ang wishful thinking ko ay sana may ‘Kate’ din si Jaclyn, mabuting wish ‘yun para sa isang naging kaibigan dahil malungkot nga daw [siya] sa pagiging mag-isa at dahil alam ko ang advantage ng may kasamang nagmamahal, nag-aasikaso at nagpapasaya sa akin,” she said. “Pero hindi ko kwinestyon ang sitwasyon niya.”
(In one of my posts where I had my “wishful thinking” that Jaclyn had her own Kate, it’s a wish for a friend because she’s sad and alone. I know there’s an advantage to living a life having someone who will love, take care of, and make them happy. But I’m not questioning her situation.)
Avila also stressed that one shouldn’t come to such conclusions about Jose when it comes to her relationship with her children.
“Kasama ka ba nila sa bahay mula ng isinilang ang mga anak ni Jaclyn Jose? Naranasan mo bang pumasok sa isip at katawan nila kaya alam mo ang tinahak ng bawat isa sa kanila? Nasa lugar ka ba para kwestyonin at ipa-guilty pa ang mga naiwan,” she wrote.
(Are you part of their lives when Jaclyn Jose’s children were born? Have you tried to enter into their bodies and minds that you’re making such comments about them? Are you in the position to question and make them feel guilty?)
Avila also pointed out that there’s “good” in everyone and hoped that people would be more open” regarding the matter in a separate post on Sunday, March 10.
“Kahit anong linis ng mensahe ay may magdudumi dito… Mas higit na marami ang nakaunawa, ‘yung ilang hindi ay nakakaawa. Pero ganun talaga,” she said. “Iba iba ang ating pinanggagalingan kaya mahirap magkaunawaan… Lahat tayo ay may buti sa ating puso at isipan. Pag yun ang mas madalas mangibabaw, nasa maayos na tayong kalagayan.”
(No matter how clear your message appears to be, many would understand but others won’t. But that’s life. We come from different walks of life so it’s hard to understand each other. We all have something good within our hearts and minds. If that reigns, our situations would be better.)
Avila and Jose worked together in the 1995 film “The Flor Contemplacion Story” and the movie “Puso ng Pasko” three years later which eventually led them to being friends on- and off-screen.
Jose died of heart attack on March 2, with her death being confirmed by her management PPL Entertainment and Andi Eigenmann days later.