Following the death of her husband, Trevor Magallanes, comedian and actress Rufa Mae Quinto shared that she now wants to focus more on their daughter Athena and her personal well-being.
In an exclusive interview with PUSH ABS-CBN, Rufa Mae opened up about how she is striving to stay strong and healthy for their 8-year-old child.
“Unang-una yung sarili ko para maalagaan ko yung anak ko na 8 years old. So para lumaki siya na masaya kasi alam mo iyon parang siyempre basically my husband passed away so, kailangan kong alalayan, more more time for her para gabayan siya,” she said.
The actress also revealed that keeping herself busy with work helps her cope with grief.
“Kaya po ako nagshoshow ngayon para mabitbit ko ang kaligayahan kaysa sa kalungkutan. Pero hindi po ibig sabihin na sumali ako, kaya nga po ako sumali gusto ko po talagang ilabas lahat ng nararamdaman ko. Alam mo yung sa sobrang heavy gusto mo na lang mag perform. Kaya sana naman makapagperform ako,” the actress admitted.
“Kailangan kong sumaya kasi hindi puwedeng mas haggard pa ako, para na rin sa anak ko di ba. Kailangan niya ako eh, so kailangan maging masaya ako, panalo at award winning ganoon. Thank you to myself,” she quipped.
The actress shared that she has begun prioritizing her health through proper rest and nutrition.
“Masasabi ko magsisimula muna ako sa pagkain. Una yung tubig, kailangan kumpleto yung inom. Yung balanse, may carbohydrates, may protein, may vegetables basta mas maganda syaka ako ang magluluto,” she shared.
She went on: “Parang mas pagkain ang focus at the same time syempre paggising mo yung nakatulog ka ng mahimbing ng mahaba, yung kumpleto. Ayon mas importante sa akin yon. Kasi nanay ako. Hindi ako puwedeng magaling ng ganon ganon na lang.”
To stay calm and energized, Rufa Mae also incorporates relaxing activities into her routine.
“Isa na rin na (focus) ko ay kalma lang. Bawal nerbyusin. Kaya hangga’t maari sa set nagyo-yoga ako, swimming, sauna. Yung alam mo yun, dapat palagi akong relax. Yung parang pupunta ako sa set, kaya ako masaya. Kasi alam mo yon fresh lang ba. Kasi paano ko mapapagaan ng loob ng mga tao, magpapaligaya kung ako mismo haggard na haggard. Puwede ka naman magluksa ng malungkot ng hindi ka haggard. So yon yung narealize ko,” she explained.
Rufa Mae also shared that she is determined to raise Athena with positivity despite their family’s recent loss.
“Alam niyo you never know until you get there. Kapag nandoon na kayo, makinig na lang kayo sa puso niyo, sa isip niyo sa sarili niyo,” she said.
“Sa akin importanteng pakinggan ko yung sarili ko. Tapos magdasal tayo parati. Pero importante din ang kausap tingnan niyo sa mata dapat maging alam tayo on what they’re going through. Alam mo yun be nice, kind and be patient and you’ll find love and laughter,” she added
It was in July when Rufa Mae revealed the passing of Trevor. At the time, she asked the public to stop spreading speculations and misinformation about the cause of his death. She and Athena flew to the United States, where family and friends gathered to honor Trevor’s life.
Earlier this September, the actress and her daughter returned to the Philippines. While she admitted she is still processing her grief, Rufa Mae shared that she is ready to resume working while focusing on her healing and her role as a mother.
Currently, Rufa Mae is gearing up for an upcoming show and will be appearing in several projects. She also shared that she will be releasing a vlog on her YouTube channel, sharing stories from what she has experienced and how she is trying to cope with the loss of her husband.
READ: Rufa Mae Quinto thanks late husband's former police co-workers for their tribute
“Nandoon po yung celebration of life sa mga sagot ko tungkol sa cause of death, tungkol sa lahat lahat ng tanong nila. Kasi baka akala nila masayang masaya ako,” she said.