After the end of her marriage with actor Cesar Montano, 'Underage' actress Sunshine Cruz found love again with Ismael “Macky” Mathay.
According to reports, Macky, who is the ex-partner of Camille Fariñas, started courting the actress after she replied to his messages in September 2016.
For years, the celebrity couple seems to have a strong relationship, based on their social media posts. However, months after the 2022 elections, after Macky won a seat in the city council of San Juan, fans and followers started speculating that they have parted ways.
In September 2022, several entertainment websites and blogs noticed that they've already unfollowed each other on Instagram. While the rumors about their breakup started circulating, both Sunshine and Macky remain mum about the issue.
Days before Sunshine turned 46 in July 2023, the versatile actress sat down with Karen Davila for a one-on-one interview, in which she explained what happened between her and Macky.
“Nakita ko lang Ms. Karen na parang hindi nagle-level up yung relationship. Hindi nagmu-move. Don't get me wrong, he's a good guy. I love his children. Pero siyempre, at this point in my life, I am 45 parang siyempre naghahanap na tayo ng relationship na kahit papaano lume-level up. Hindi 'yung diretso lang kasi magsi-six years na."
Meanwhile, look back at some of relationship highlights of Sunshine and Macky in this gallery:
Sunshine and Macky started dating in 2016. A bit of trivia, the latter is the half-brother of former 'Bubble Gang' star Ara Mina.
In November 2016, Macky was ecstatic to finally meet Sunshine's three daughters with her ex-husband Cesar Montano namely Angelina, Sam, and Angel.
Sunshine and Macky marked their first anniversary in September 2017. Sunshine posted a sweet photo with Macky with this caption: “
One! Thank you for being there not just for me but also for the girls. You are a wonderful person my Macky and I will always be here to support you in all of your endeavors.”
In 2018, Sunshine Cruz marked a new beginning after the court finally granted the annulment of her marriage with Cesar Montano.
Many are impressed with the blended family of Sunshine and Macky. Just like his girlfriend, Macky also has three children already named Roan, Colin, and his unica hija, Raven.
Everyone was elated to see the two going strong and marked their fifth anniversary as a couple in September 2021. The actress penned a heartfelt thank you message for Macky telling him, “Thank you for being supportive and caring to me and the girls. Thank you for being one of my inspirations to always try to be a better version of myself. Thank you for always believing in me. I am truly grateful for you, Ro, Cole and Charlie. You guys are a blessing to me, Angelina, Sam and Chesca. Happy 5th Anniversary to us my Macky!”
Here's a throwback photo of the Valentine's Day celebration of Sunshine and Macky in February 2022.
When Macky decided to run for councilor in San Juan City, Sunshine was supportive of him during the campaign season.
Eventually, Macky won a seat in the city council of San Juan. He attended his oath taking ceremony in June 2022 together with his long-time girlfriend Sunshine.
In an Instagram post in August 2022, Councilor Macky Mathay described his relationship with Sunshine. He posted, “No one is perfect but we definitely perfect each other's imperfection!Happy 2,055 days, 71 months or 5.11 years to us darling! (3 days ago) Mahal kita my Sunshine!!!
It was big news when Cesar Montano attended the 18tj birthday of his daughter Samantha in August 2022. It showed that all is well between him and ex-wife Sunshine Cruz. The action star also met Macky Mathay during the event.
A month later, breakup rumors began circulating. Showbiz websites also reported that Sunshine and Macky unfollowed each other on Instagram.
Fans and followers also started speculating after Sunshine shared a cryptic Instagram post about letting go of someone on October 9, 2022
She wrote, “People come and go, it may be hard to understand why things happen unexpectedly. For some of us, letting go of someone you loved with all your heart can definitely give us so much pain and sadness but in life, there are some things we cannot control.What matters is the lesson we learned, the love that was shared and the wonderful memories that will always be in our hearts. Life goes on.”
The couple remained tight-lipped about the status of their relationship. But on October 10, Samantha, Sunshine's daughter, was among those who greeted Macky on his 43rd birthday. Councilor Mathay simply replied saying, “thank you Sammy. I miss you and I love you.”
On February 2 episode of 'Fast Talk With Boy Abunda,' the 'Underage' actress broke her silence about her and Macky Mathay's breakup.
Sunshine explained to Tito Boy that her silence over her breakup with the San Juan city councilor is to protect her and his children.
She explained, “I chose to be quiet because mayroong mga bata na involved. Mga anak niya na napamahal sa akin and 'yung mga anak ko na napamahal kay Macky. Nag-decide ako na maging quiet na lang kasi hindi naman talaga alam ng publiko kung ano 'yung pinagdadaanan namin or kung ano 'yung pinagdaanan ko,”
Sunshine added, “Hindi lang love, dapat nandoon ang trust, nandoon ang respect. Kapag mayroong isang nawala roon, it's not going to work. And sa edad kong ito, I am 45 years old. Hindi na dapat pinapatagal.”
The 'Unbreak My Heart' star opened up to broadcast journalist Karen Davila on why she and ex-partner Macky Mathay parted ways.
On Karen's vlog last July 13, Sunshine recalled how the break up happened.
She shared, "Almost five days bago mag-6th anniversary kami nakipaghiwalay ako sa kaniya. Lock-in taping pa 'yun. Through message I said na I don't think may patutunguhan pa 'tong relationship."
Sunshine also clarified that she's not thinking of getting married as of now. Why is that?
"No. Sa totoo lang ayoko naman na. I am okay na life partner kami. Pero yung pagpapakasal, sa ngayon hindi ko na naiisip. Maybe when I turn 60 or 70, parang si Tita Boots Anson-Roa. Who knows 'di ba? Kung may ibibigay."