Aiko Melendez's son Andre on growing up without dad Jomari Yllana: ‘Siguro nasanay na rin ako na parang wala siya’

Andre Yllana, Aiko Melendez’s son, said he’s gotten used to not having his dad Jomari Yllana around.

In Aiko’s YouTube vlog, Andre described his relationship with Jomari as “so far, so good” after there came a point where they weren’t on speaking terms. 

However, Andre said, there are some things that might be too late.

“Minsan kasi, may mga bagay na it’s too late na. Siguro yung thirst ko for a father dati, hindi na ganon ka-[tindi]. Sa totoo lang ah. Kung dati, grabe ako mag-habol kay Dad,” he said.

“Siguro nasanay na rin ako na parang wala siya,” he added. “Kaya pasensya na, Dad, kung may times na nakakalimutan kita.”

Despite this, Andre assured Jomari that he will “always still be here for you through thick and thin.”

Amid holding no baggage towards his father, he asked him one thing: “Sana yung mistake mo dati sa akin, ‘wag mo nang ulitin sa mga kapatid ko dahil bata pa sila. Habang bata pa sila, go for it.”

According to Andre, it took a while before he accepted the reality that his parents have split. He also realized that it’s better for everyone involved. He owes who he is now to his mom.

“‘Di ko kailanman naramdaman na incomplete ako dahil yung missing pieces na hinahanap ko, tumayo ka ro’n tapos binuo mo kung sino ako ngayon,’” he told Aiko. “‘Thank you for being the best mom.’”

“‘Kahit ikaw lang mag-isa, ginawa mo talaga yung best mo para makuha yung mga needs namin. Kahit ‘di needs, gusto lang namin, nabibigay mo pa kaya proud talaga ako sa’yo, Mom.’”

Meanwhile, Andre said one thing he would like when he has a family of his own is for it to be complete.

“Ang hirap din kasing magsalita nang tapos pero yung pinaka gusto kong ipaglaban kapag nagkaron ako ng pamilya is gusto ko complete family,” he said.

Aiko and Jomari got married in 2000 and separated not long after. — LA, GMA News