Faith Da Silva on visiting dad Dennis in prison: 'For the first time in my life, nasa arms ako ng father ko'

Ahead of Christmas last year, Faith Da Silva and her brother, Silas, reunited with their father, former actor Dennis Da Silva, who is currently in jail.

In Friday’s episode of “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda,” Faith said she originally planned for their reunion to happen on her birthday in April, and in fact began planning for it early last year.

"Since 2023 — the start of 2023 — I have talked to Kuya Kim. Gusto ko sana na on my birthday kami magkikita, April po ‘yon," the Sparkle star said, adding it was Atienza and General Catapang who really made the visit possible.

[Since the start of 2023, I spoke with Kuya Kim because I really wanted to see him on my birthday in April.]

Because it was taking a long time, and they all got busy, Faith admitted she wasn’t sure the visit would even take place.

But then it transpired, and near Christmas at that.

"Ang sarap sa pakiramdam to – parang for the first time in my life, nasa arms ako ng father ko,” she said teary-eyed.

[It felt good. For the first time in my life, I was in my father's arms."

According to Faith, she still has mixed emotions about their reunion. While she remains grateful, "parang gusto ko pa ng more. Gusto ko pa siyang makasama, gusto ko pa siyang makakuwentuhan, gusto ko pa siyang mayakap," Faith admitted, before catching herself again and maintaining her gratitude.

On her Instagram channel, Faith shared a photo of herself with her dad and her brother, and on Fast Talk Friday, she revealed that was the very first group photo with Dennis.

She shared, she lost sleep on the eve of their reunion, trying to plan what would happen and direct herself.

“Pero when we were together, I felt so at ease. It was very peaceful, na parang it was meant to happen talaga,” she said.

When asked why she wanted to see her dad, Faith said, “Because I love him. I love him a lot.”

“‘Yung love ko kasi sa kaniya nung una, it was coming from a place of longingness because he was not, of course, present nung time na ‘yon,” she continued.

Faith recalled that she had an imaginary father when she was younger, whom she would talk to whenever she got scolded by her mom.

“Kasi nga palaging sinasabi sa’kin ni mama growing up na sobrang mahal ako ng father ko tapos daddy’s girl ako. Eh ako, wala naman akong recollection kasi nga one-year-old pa lang ako [wala na siya]. Paano ako magiging daddy’s girl?” she said, adding that she kept on wondering when she would finally have time with her dad.

[My mom would always tell me growing up how much my father loved me, and that I was a daddy's girl. I questioned that because I didn't have any recollection at all. I was just one-year-old when he left. How could I be a daddy's girl?]

“‘Yung pagmamahal ko sa kan’ya, it felt like I was really seeking for it,” she said. “Parang feeling ko hindi siya normal tapos hindi ko din siya shine-share sa ibang tao.”

Faith admitted that she also had a phase when she would ask a lot of questions, saying she really wanted to be with her dad, but at the same time, she respected the fact that he also had another family.

Describing her father as looking healthy and happy, Faith narrated how Dennis first asked her for forgiveness and shared that she was surprised by how he asked how they were doing.

“Tao ang tanong niya sa 'kin. ‘Kumusta ka? Maayos ba ‘yung tinitirahan mo? Kumusta kayo ng mama mo? How is your mom?’ Sobrang tatay ng mga tanong,” Faith said.

Their conversation lasted for two hours, and Faith said that it was difficult to say goodbye.

“Kasi hindi ako sure kung kailan mangyayari ulit,” she said, admitting that a lot of emotions resurfaced during their meeting.

Faith said that Dennis’ last message for them before they parted ways again was “Mag-iingat kayo, mga anak. Mahal na mahal kayo ni papa.”

Faith said their reunion was a “heart-warming gift” for her last Christmas.

In a February 2023 "Fast Talk" interview, the Sparkle talent admitted to being ashamed her father was in prison, saying "Kinahiya ko lang naman noon dahil hindi ko naiintidihan ko ano 'yung mga nagyayari."

On Fast Talk Friday, she said she believes he will soon get the justice that he deserves.

Dennis was found guilty of 15 counts of rape in 2020 and was sentenced to life imprisonment. He was also convicted on four counts of child abuse.

Meanwhile, Faith is making a name for herself in showbusiness. She is set to star in the ”Encantadia” reboot “Sang’gre,” alongside Bianca Umali, Angel Guardian, and Kelvin Miranda.

— Carby Basina/LA, GMA Integrated News