A week after LJ Reyes’s emotional interview with Boy Abunda, Paolo Contis finally breaks his own silence about his separation with the actress. In a Facebook post, the actor clarified some speculations about the cause of his break-up with LJ, with whom he has a daughter. He also made it clear that his A Far Away Land co-star Yen Santos had nothing to do with the split up.
“After lumabas ang interview ni LJ, katakot takot na pang aalipusta at pambabatikos ang natanggap ko,” Paolo Contis said in his Facebook post.
“I can’t say I don’t deserve it kaya tinatanggap ko lang ito. I understand all your frustrations. Gusto ko sana manahimik kaya lang marami nang mga nadadamay na hindi dapat kaya mas mabuti sigurong sagutin ko ang ilan sa mga ito…”
Paolo Contis on LJ and the kids going abroad
On September 1, LJ’s interview with Boy Abunda premiered on Youtube. The actress confirmed rumors about her split up with Paolo. She also revealed that she decided to fly to the U.S. with her children, Aki and Summer, to give them a “safe place” after the separation. She is staying with her mother in New York.
Paolo clarified rumors that he was abusing illegal substances that’s why LJ left.
“Merong nagsasabi na meron siyang reliable source that I take drugs and as a result, sinasaktan ko si LJ at ang mga bata. This is NOT true. Minahal at inalagaan ko sila. I never laid a finger on them.”
He also added that even if they have already broken up, he wanted to still be a part of Summer’s life.
“I was very clear to LJ when I told her I want to see and take care of Summer kahit hindi kami okay. But I understand and respect her decision to go to the States muna. Sana balang araw makapag usap kami ng maayos para sa bata. Madami pang kailangan pag usapan pero sa amin na lang ni LJ yun at sana respetuhin niyo yun.”
Paolo and Yen worked together in the film “A Far Away Land”
Paolo Contis on Yen Santos
In her interview, LJ did not go into details as to what the cause of the break up was. When Boy Abunda asked if there was a third party in their relationship, the actress did not give a direct denial.
In his post, Paolo alluded to straying.
“Aaminin ko, naging marupok at gago ako sa ilang taon naming pagsasama. I’m not proud of it. For that, I’m sincerely sorry. I’m truly ashamed of my actions.”
The actor clarified that although he was “marupok” in the past, it was not the reason for his split up with LJ. He also cleared Yen Santos’s name, saying that she did not cause the break up.
“She was never the reason of our break up. I was. Kung matagal na kaming hindi okay ni LJ, it was mainly because of me. Masyado niyo siyang diniin sa issue na to. Pati pag promote namin ng movie nabahiran na ng kung anu ano.”
A few days ago, there have been photos and a video circulating of two people, who looked like Paolo and Yen, spotted in Baguio. Paolo confirmed that he did meet up with the actress.
“When LJ left for the States with the kids, I went to Baguio for 3 days dahil ayaw ko sa Manila at gusto kong makapag isip isip. Naging insensitive ako about the possible effects nung issue and I invited Yen for a day para may makausap since malapit lang siya sa North din. She went there as a friend. Hindi ko naisip na madadamay siya ng ganito. I’m sorry for this.”
Paolo apologizes
Because of the several issues that came after Paolo’s separation from LJ, Paolo’s manager, Lolit Solis, came to the actor’s defense. She said that LJ was not the only one hurting and left reeling from the end of the six-year relationship. Showbiz columnist Cristy Fermin also shared her two cents, pointing out that LJ must have also been at fault. Both showbiz veterans were at the receiving end of hate messages from netizens.
Paolo pleaded for the tirades on Lolit to stop.
“Please stop bashing her. Nanay ko si Lolit. Natural lang na ipagtanggol niya ako kahit mali ako. May nanay din kayo diba? Hindi niyo alam ang mga pagalit at pangaral niya sa akin pag kami lang ang naguusap. Sinabihan ko na siya to stop protecting me. Ang sinabi lang niya ay HINDI, ANAK KITA! HAYAAN MO AKO! For that, I’m sorry Nay. And thank you! Sa inyo pareho ni Nay Cristy.
The actor also penned messages to all the people who were dragged in the issue.
“I’m sorry sa lahat ng nadamay sa issue na to. I want to apologize to Lian and the kids, na nagulo na naman ang tahimik na buhay dahil sa akin. I’m sorry to my Mom. Please don’t worry about me too much. I’m sorry to my team na hindi na nakakatulog dahil sa akin. To Summer, I’m sorry my Ganda. I love and miss you so much. Papa will do his best to be better. I will always be here for you. I promise. To Aki, I wish I could’ve done things differently and listened to you more. I’m sorry I failed you. To LJ, I’m very sorry. For everything. Sa lahat lahat.”
Paolo ended his post, calling for a ceasefire.
I will work on making myself a better person and learning from this. But for now, please respect our privacy and pray for us. Ngayon kung hindi pa po kayo pagod, please direct all your hate and bashings at me. No one else deserves it, ako lang. Thank you.