Maxene missing dad already

By Joseph Peter R. Gonzales

Asked about Francis Magalona, daughter Maxene said she still couldn?t accept his father had died.

?Honestly, when I was at the wake, I was okay all the time entertaining guests. But once I entered the room to rest, that?s the time I realize that Papa is no longer here and I would start to cry,? she said.

Maxene is a certified ?Daddy?s Girl? that?s why she is finding it hard to cope with the fact that he would no longer be around.

?I?m used to seeing him all the time. At nighttime, we would always talk about what happened to us the whole day. Now, it?s sad that I don?t have someone to talk to and hug at the same time.?

According to her, Francis had always been supportive and understanding of her.

?He was the first one to be happy whenever I had very good projects. He was always there for me. He also told me to make the right decisions all the time because that would make him proud. When he was bed-ridden, I wasn?t able to see him personally but he understood that I was busy with my work and studies. One more thing, we never lost communication with each other.?

Maxene credits her mom Pia (Arroyo-Magalona) for being strong.

?She never showed us that she was crying although I know it?s more painful to her since she and dad were together for a longer span of time. She got her act together in no time at all. She was a picture of strength all along. She told Unna, Niccolo, Frank, Saab, Elmo, Arkin, Clara and me that it?s what Papa wants. I?m so proud of her!?

The very promising young actress is aware that the following days will not be easy for them.

?Basically, we are a closely-knit family. But I also know that this challenge will make us even stronger in the coming days. God has a reason why it happened and we leave it all up to Him,? Maxene said.

Going their separate ways

Diether Ocampo?s marriage to Kristine Hermosa has been annulled. Definitely, the popular hunk is pleased with this development since the two of them can now concentrate on their respective loves. Kristine is close to Oyo Sotto while Diether has a new girlfriend, Rema Ostwani.

?I guess, when you end something, that?s it,? says Diet. ?You have to move on and continue living. I have my own life now and so does Kristine. But she will always have a soft spot in my heart since once, she became an integral part of my life. At this point, I want to make up for lost times because admittedly, I neglected a lot of things at the thick of the issue then and I?m sure she [does] too.?

Despite his failed relationship with Kristine, Diether says he has nothing to regret about.

?It?s part of life. In fact, it even made me a better person. While it?s true that we?ve committed mistakes, what?s important is that we learned something out of it. The insights we gained are simply invaluable. The biggest consolation is that at one point in our lives, Tin and me were given a chance to share our love for each other.?

The best lesson he learned from the experience?

?I realized that you shouldn?t be in a hurry when it comes to love. You should wait for the perfect time. And also, you ought to listen to the advice of other people, especially the more matured ones because they?ve been there and done that, so to speak,? adds the handsome actor.

Asked to comment on Kristine and Oyo, Diet politely refused.

?For one, I?m in the process of moving on. They have their own story and I?m not part of it. I guess it?s just logical that I should be out of the frame, right? This whole thing is just part of the past.?

Regarding his new-found love, the sexy actor reveals?

?I can?t divulge much because Rema is a very private person. All I can say is she balances my life.?

Many say that her current squeeze has a striking resemblance with Kristine.

?Does she really? I don?t see it that way. She has her distinct features. Perhaps, the only thing they have in common is that they?re both mestizas.?

Diether feels refreshed that he?s starting on a clean slate in his new romantic journey.

?I?m very much okay and is thankful for this fresh chance God gave me to begin anew in my personal life. I?m proud to bounce back after making some wrong decisions in the past,? he ends meaningfully.

Singing again

Sheryl Cruz goes back to singing after a 10-year hiatus from the music scene. She was recently tapped by new recording outfit Wow Music to be its first artist. Actually, it?s a sister company of the famous Wow Magic Sing videoke microphone. The title of her album is There?s No Place like Home.

?Honestly, this project came as a surprise,? states Sheryl. ?The original plan was to come up with an all-star album that will cater to the OFW market. I was to sing only one song but the concept changed and the producers decided to have a single artist to sing all the cuts instead. After a long time of not having a recording, I said yes. It?s truly a blessing.?

The porcelain-skinned singer-actress relates that the project came just in time when she?s battling marital problems. As of this writing, she?s waiting for the divorce papers which her husband Norman Bustos filed in the US.

?Yes, doing the album is somewhat therapeutic for me. It makes me forget even for a while the ordeal I?m going through now. Apart from singing, I also discovered my natural knack for composing songs. There?s one cut called ?Joy? which I wrote for my daughter Ashley.?

It?s good that her adorable bundle of joy has fully adjusted to the Philippines.

?And I?m very happy for that. In fact, she?s well-versed in Tagalog. We came back here when she turned three. Now, she?s in grade 1. Her health also improved here. Before, she was so frail but look at her now she?s so healthy. Perhaps, it?s because she has lots of playmates here and has a nanny who takes very good care of her, especially when I?m working.?

According to Sheryl, Ashley is musically inclined. Will she encourage her if in the future she decides to enter the ?biz?

?I can?t stop her because it?s in her veins, right? But I still want her to know that there are still other options apart from acting. Wherever she?s happy, I?ll support her.?

Does she still speak to Norman?

?Yes, I?m in constant communication with him mainly because of Ashley. In fact, he sent his daughter a laptop where they get to communicate. It breaks my heart to see my daughter missing her dad. But what?s good about me and Norman is that even if we failed as husband and wife, we don?t want to be a failure as parents. We always assure Ashley that we love her,? reveals the talented star.

Sheryl just appears okay but she?s crumbling deep inside.

?It?s hard to pick up the shattered pieces alone. In fact, I don?t know how I?m going to feel once I get hold of the divorce papers. But I know life has to go on,? she avers.

Many are curious if there?s not even the slightest chance that she and Norman will eventually reconcile.

?It?s better for us to be friends at this point. And what?s certain is that I?ll always be there for him. He?s been an important part of my life. We?ve been together for eight years and that?s a long time.?

Will she be ready to give her heart to another guy in the coming days?

?Not that soon! It?s still beyond me. For one, I don?t want comparing him to Norman which is inevitable. It?ll be unfair to the new guy if ever.?

Does she still love Norman up to now?

?Yes!? Sheryl stresses.