Kapamilya actress and TV host Anne Curtis opens up about the waves of grief she has been experiencing following the passing of her father, James Ernest Curtis-Smith. In an interview with veteran TV host Boy Abunda on February 5, the It’s Showtime host shared how she is learning how to live with the loss and the ways she has found to cope while leaning on her family, especially her daughter Dahlia.
Anne first announced the death of her father last January, sharing that he had “peacefully” passed away, though no further details were disclosed at the time.
Early in the conversation, Boy offered his sincere apologies for not being able to reach Anne during that difficult period. Anne responded with understanding and gratitude, acknowledging the overwhelming support her family received while explaining why she was unable to respond to everyone immediately.
“To everyone that reached out to us, I’m sorry if we never got back right away. You know...how hard being in that bubble is. Sometimes, you don’t read messages, you don’t read your emails,” she said.
As life slowly resumes, Anne shared that returning to work has become part of her way forward. She said she and her sister, Jasmine, are now easing back into their routine, with work serving as a space for healing and movement.
“Finally, I’m back and Jasmine is back as well. Work is a great outlet to just kind of start moving forward. Thank you so much to everyone.”
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Still, Anne was honest about how grief “comes in waves”. Fighting back tears, she described how loss arrives unexpectedly, often triggered by small, deeply personal moments — especially those involving her daughter, Dahlia.
“I’ve said this, but the grief really comes in waves. One day I’m okay and then the next thing Dahlia will say is ‘I miss grand dad’ and I’m just like a mess. It comes in waves, but you know, each day as you’ve said Tito Boy it never actually [goes away],” she said.
Boy later shared advice from his psychiatrist, encouraging Anne to see grief not as something to suppress, but as a connection and an extension of love that continues even after loss.
That idea resonated deeply with Anne, who recalled a moment of vulnerability she shared with her daughter.
“Even Dahlia told me when I had my little breakdown in front of her — she was shocked — but she said, ‘You know Mama, just think that grand dad is a cloud in front of you.’”
The simple yet profound words stayed with her.
“So now when I look at the clouds it’s something like I always remember my dad,” Anne described.
READ: Anne Curtis’s father has passed away
Meanwhile, following her father’s passing last month, Anne also paid tribute to him through an emotional Instagram post, sharing treasured memories from childhood moments to a photo taken on her wedding day. Alongside the images, she wrote a message filled with love, longing, and acceptance.
“Left Australia with a heavy heart, yet in my memories, we’ll never part dad. ‘I’ll see you when I see you,’ my huckleberry friend, my gentle giant, my father dearest —always, until then. 🕊️….. The grief comes in waves. The pain may pass (occasionally popping in to say hi) but remembering the special little moments I had with Dad is something I’ll always do. 🤍,” Anne previously wrote.