Jean and Jennica Garcia on Life As Single Parents
Jean and Jennica Garcia recently sat down with Karen Davila for an interview on their relationship as mom and daughter, and lessons as single parents.
Actresses Jean and Jennica Garcia recently sat down with Karen Davila on their relationship, family life, and lessons as single parents.
Jean and Jennica on their mother and daughter relationship
During the interview, Jean beamed with pride on how her daughter’s career has been dong well. The interview was one of the rare times they sat together since they work for separate networks.
“I am very proud,” Jean said of Jennica’s accomplishments this year, including the show Dirty Linen. “Deserve niya kasi very hardworking ang aking anak. Tapos mahal niya yung trabaho niya and ang maganda dito ay marunong siya makisama.”
Jennica for her part had nothing but admiration for her mom who raised her, brother Kotaro, and their adopted sibling Jessica by herself. She recalled the time she was left alone in Manila when her mom needed to go to Japan.
“Sobrang masaya lang ako na hindi ko hinayaan na lumabas sa bibig ko growing up kay mama na bakit wala ka?” She said. “I often get asked kung nagtampo ba ka ba sa mama mo or sa papa kasi hiwalay sila, hindi mo sila kasama.”
“Hindi kasi ako mareklamo. May longing ako na I wish nandito mom ko sa Philippines pero hindi na para sabihin pa sa kanya.”
Jennica said when Jean was shuttling between Manila and Japan, what was important for her was that her mom felt she was loved.
Jean eventually returned to Philippines in 2000 where she did Pangako Sa ‘Yo and played the role of Claudia Buenavista.

Jean and Jennica Garcia on their family
Jennica added when her mom was with her then Japanese partner, she felt lucky because not only had she had a papa, former actor Jigo Garcia, she also has a dad. In fact, she was actually his favorite!
“Hindi niya pina feel sa akin na hindi niya ako anak. If anything pa nga ang issue is huwag ma feel ni Kotaro na sobrang favorite ako ni daddy.”
As as single parent, Jean said that one of the things she’s grateful for is that her kids are kind.
“Maski kaming mag-ina, yung respeto namin na lumalaki siya na hanggang sa ngayon na marami na siyang pinag-daanan at may dalawa na siyang anak, kung hindi sya mag-oopen up sa akin na kahit may inkling ako, hinihintay. Nirerespeto ko,” Jean said.
Jennica recalled that growing up, it was her mom who provided for them and at one point saw her more as a father figure while her Ninay (lola) was her mom. At one point, she wanted a bag for school when she was a kid but wondered if they can afford. And when Jean asked what she wanted, she decided not to buy the bag then.
“Naalala ko yung itsura ni mama na naiiyak siya at hindi niya pinapapkita sa akin. Dahil hindi din ako ganun ka-vocal, kasi alam ko na love ako ng mama ko. Na parang walang hindi gagawin yung mama ko, na hindi niya ipaparadam sa akin na kailangan ko mag-adjust.”

Jean and Jennica on life as single parents
During the interview, Jennica dropped that her mom was offered marriage by both ex-partners but she declined. Expounding on Jennica’s statement, Jean said she and Jigo were young and the same time were not ready. As for her Japanese partner, Jean said he offered her many times and was even willing to wait.
“Ang gusto niya doon na kami sa Japan pag nagpakasal na kami. Nung time na iyon, honestly, I’m not ready to leave my family here,” Jean explained.
Asked if she regrets it, Jean said no. “I’m super happy to be single.”
Jennica pointed out that her mom has never asked for any single centavo from her dad and has always been independent. She always looked up to her mom now that she herself is going through what her mom wen through as a single parent.
“I think a lot of the big decisions I made in my life also boils down to my confidence which comes from how I saw my mom. That she was able to handle it well and if mom was able to do it, I will be able to do it too.”
Filling in the gap
Jean became emotional, saying that her daughter has been giving everything to fill the gap she was not able to do in their relationship. “Kahit ano dumaan sa buhay ko noon hanggang ngayon, kumpleto pa din ako kasi nandiyan pa din ang mga anak ko.”
Jennica admitted that she’s not afraid for herself anymore but for her two daughters.
“Isa sa nga naging dahilan na affected na wala yung papa ko [is] yung parang kapag may lalake po na nagsabi sa akin na mahal niya ak, hindi niya ako iiwan naniniwala po ako agad,” Jennica said, her eyes getting misty.
“Parang yung kinakatakot ko na dahil hindi lumaki ang anak ko na hindi kasama ang tatay nila, baka pag may nagsabi sa kanila nang ganun din, baka maniwala sila.”
Their wishes for each other
Jennica said her only dream now is to provide for her two daughters and that they’ll be happy and find future partners.
Jean said when it comes to her grandchildren, she does not meddle and leaves the disciplining to Jennica.
“Gusto ko lang nagmamaganda lang ako sa mga apo ko,” Jean teased. “Bad cop and good cop,” pointing to her daughter.
While both are single parents, Jennica still wishes for her mom to settle down and vice versa.
“Gusto ko siya mag-asawa uli,” Jean said. “Gusto ko kasi napaka-bata pa niya. Ako okay na dahil sa edad ko ngayon, na experience ko na yung iba’t ibang relasyon.”
“Pero no regrets because I have two beautiful children.”
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