Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez shared how her husband, Ogie Alcasid, worked hard to maintain a strong relationship within their blended family.
Regine revealed, in an interview with Ogie Diaz, how her husband took the initiative to ensure a smooth and loving setup for everyone involved, including his ex-wife, Michelle van Eimeren and her family.
“First of all, he really worked hard on that. Tinuro niya iyon sa akin, kinausap niya ako, inexplain niya hanggang sa nasanay ako. Ginawa niya rin iyon kay Michelle. Trinabaho niya iyon and dinasal niya ng bonggang-bongga hanggang sa naging maayos kami,” Regine shared.
Regine also expressed how the former Australian beauty queen also made things easier for them.
“First of all, mabait si Michelle, very forgiving, very accepting, very open,” Regine described.
READ: Michelle van Eimeren shares thoughts on Regine’s ‘new chapter’ at ABS-CBN
She explained how she, Ogie, Michelle, and Michelle’s husband, Mark Morrow, prioritized their children's well-being despite the separation.
“Na-decide namin kung ano ba ito, mag-aaway ba ito ‘yung kumbaga walang kahihinatnan . Mahihirapan lang kami tapos makikita iyon ng mga bata, ang pangit. Hindi na nga maganda na naghiwalay na nga sila tapos ako na iyong bagong family tapos nagkaroon din (si Michelle) ng bagong family,” Regine said.
Regine emphasized that children are the ones most affected by separation.
“Kapag nagkakaroon ng hiwalayan, ang na-affect talaga, ang navi-victimize are the kids. Hindi kayo, kasi obviously magmo-move on kayo. You will always be the mother and the father, you will always be the parents, but you don’t know how the kids will handle that,” she expressed.
Regine noted, “Make life a little bit easier for them.”
Regine shared how they reassured their children about having two sets of parents.
“Noong kinakausap namin silang apat, ‘You girls are like the luckiest girls in the world. Can you imagine you have two sets of parents because you have two moms and two dads?’ Noong sinasabi namin iyon, pinanindigan na namin iyon kasi ayon na talaga kami and that’s how we are to the girls,” she said.
“Now that they are growing up, let’s just make it a little bit easier. Punuan na lang natin kung ano iyong kulang,” she added.
Ogie and Michelle married in 1996 and had two daughters, Leila and Sarah Alcasid. Their marriage was annulled in 2007, and Michelle later married Mark. In 2010, Ogie married Regine, and they welcomed their son, Nate, in 2011.
Despite the changes, the family remains close. Michelle and Mark are even Nate’s godparents, and they often go on vacations together.
READ: Ogie, Regine meet up with Michelle van Eimeren, kids after 3 years
Last year, Ogie, Regine, and Nate visited Michelle to celebrate several family milestones and achievements.
“Finally, our family is back together! We celebrate Mark’s birthday, sarah’s graduation, leila’s graduation soon, nate’s graduation and Shelley’s graduation. God is just so good!! Hallelujah!! @mark.morrow68 @michellevaneimeren @sarahalcasid @leilalcasid @reginevalcasid #natey,” Ogie said in a caption.
Earlier this year, the family came together for the emotional pamamanhikan with their daughter Leila’s fiancé, Mito Curtis. Ogie thanked Michelle for her heartfelt speech and Regine for her special performance at the event.
READ: Ogie Alcasid shares heartfelt post about daughter Leila’s emotional pamanhikan
“Shelley ty for coming over and giving that beautiful speech which moved everyone. Baba, ty for songs that delighted the guests,” he said.
“Ty Lord for uniting the all our Families to celebrate the love of Mito and Leila,” he added.