MANILA, Philippines – LJ Reyes finally broke her silence to confirm that she and Paolo Contis have separated.
The actress spoke up to clarify the rumors surrounding her relationship with Paolo. After six years of being together and with a 2-year-old daughter, LJ and Paolo have called it quits.
In an hour long interview, LJ opened up about how the relationship came to an end and clarified that the decision wasn’t mutual.
LJ said, “No, hindi siya mutual. Naniniwala ako kapag mutual isang decision, pareho kayong sumasang-ayon na hindi na nagwo-work yung relationship.”
The actress continued that even before the breakup, she already noticed Paolo losing interest in them. She felt the actor’s feelings were changing and she was slowly losing him.
“Hindi po, e. Ramdam na ramdam ko naman po na ibang-iba na. Matagal ko na nararamdaman na nakahiwalay na siya sa amin. Ramdam na ramdam ko po yun,” LJ added.
LJ revealed that she initiated the breakup because she felt that Paolo was only waiting for her to end everything between them. But after thinking about the children, LJ decided to talk to Paolo to try to fix things between them. Unfortunately, Paolo refused to take them back.
“Pero honestly, ako yung nagsabi na parang nasa ibang mundo na po siya, at parang pakiramdam ko na hinihintay lang niya na manggaling sa akin. Umabot sa point na nag-break na kami. Pero after a few days, na-realize ko na hindi puwedeng ganito, may mga bata,” she added.
“Nagbaba na lang ako ng pride kahit ako yung nasasaktan. Titiisin ko po yun para sa mga bata. Kasi inisip ko, baka kailangan nila ng complete family. Tinanong ko siya, if he wants to take us back. Pero hindi na daw,” LJ said.
Now turning emotional, LJ opened up how Paolo changed “late last year.” From being a loving partner, Paolo lost all the qualities that LJ loves about him. She also kept all their relationship problems a secret and kept the burden by herself. She tried talking to Paolo about it but he dismisses everything and refuses to talk about it.
“It’s been so hard. The past several months. But sinubukan ko wag maramdaman ng mga anak ko, wag maramdaman ng public,” LJ admitted.
Third party or money issue?
At one point, LJ was asked if money was one of the reasons for their relationship problem. The actress was silent for over 17 seconds before dismissing the question. She answered, “Basta ang priority ko po ay mga welfare ng mga bata.”
On issue of Paolo having an affair, LJ said she no longer cares and she is now just thinking about the welfare of her children.
“Sa totoo lang, kung anuman yung third party na sinasabi nila, it’s actually the least of my concerns. Kaya nga po ako nag-decide to speak up is because pag anak niyo na po yung nagagawan ng mali, I think kailangan mo sabihin na hanggang dito lang,” LJ remarked.
According to LJ, this was the reason why she flew to New York with her children to protect them and start anew.
“Sa totoo lang, we left because I felt, like, I really need—me, myself and my kids—to get out of the situation physically, para kahit paapano matulungan din kami emotionally and mentally to recover and rebuild as a small family,” LJ said.
For six years of their relationship, Paolo stood as a father to LJ’s son, Aki. They also have a 2-year-old daughter, Summer.
— Sally, The Summit Express