
Three years after boy group member Franco Hernandez's tragic passing, his then girlfriend model Janica Nam Floresca recalls how she moved on from the traumatic event that changed their lives.
In a tell-all video, Janica poured her heart out and admitted that it took her a while to be okay, but she is finally moving forward with her life.
The video shows Janica walking on a beach shore, with her voice over reading out a letter she addresses to Franco.
She said, "Dear Franco, Kumusta ka na? Peaceful at masaya siguro d'yan no? It's been a while. Tatlong taon na pala? Umaasa pa ako dati na sana hindi 'to totoo, sana may miracle pa at babalik ka. Sobrang hirap nung nawala ka. Bawat pikit ng mga mata ko, umuulit-ulit lang sa utak ko lahat ng nangyari at para akong nalulunod ulit."
“Dala-dala ko sa isip ko lahat ng sana at siguro -- na sana kung mas naging malakas pa ako, siguro naligtas pa kita. Minsan tinatanong ko sa sarili ko, how can I stay strong? How can I continue to smile and be happy? How can I continue life when half of me left with you?”
“I've always thought that I'd be spending the rest of my life with you. But you spent the rest of your life with me and I'm thankful for that. I'm thankful that I was the last person you loved. Even if it was just for a short amount of time, I knew it was real,” she continued.
Janica revealed that her love for Franco kept her going. “Alam kong maraming nagtataka kung bakit ang tagal kong maging okay. Pero sa totoo lang, hindi mo masusukat ang tagal ng sakit na naiwan sa 'yo. My love for you was the only thing that kept me going. Kasi alam kong gusto mong kayanin ko."
She also thanked everyone who helped her pick herself up after Franco passed away. “Nakatulong din sa 'kin 'yung suporta galing sa mga taong kahit hindi ko naman kilala, kahit simple messages lang nila, sobrang nakakataba ng puso.
“Nandiyan din 'yung family and friends ko para samahan ako. Alam kong hindi rin naging madali para sa kanila pero never nila akong iniwan. At higit sa lahat, si God. Kahit sobrang nahihirapan na ako, alam kong hindi Niya ako pinabayaan.”
“Mas handa ako na akong magpatuloy ulit. Mas handa na akong kilalanin ang sarili ko at kung ano pa 'yung mga kaya kong gawin. Mas handa na akong sumabak sa buhay na akala ko hangganan na. Mas handa na ako,” she said.
Janica thanked Franco and said she is grateful for all the times she spent with him. "Franco, I know you want me to be happy. And I can finally say, I am. I was content of being alone. I was okay with the thought of not being with someone else for the rest of my life. But that's the funny thing about love--it comes when you least expect it.
"Kahit ano pala pagdaanan mo, love will really find its way back to you.
"As I unfold this new chapter of my life, ready na akong harapin 'to with a grateful heart. Grateful to all the people and learnings that shaped me to be the woman I am now."
“You don't have to worry about me, Franco. Okay na ako,” she said. “I will never forget the memories we've made because it was never about our ending. It was about the journey and I am thankful for the time that was given to us. Ngayon, ready na ako to move forward and live life with a stronger and happier version of myself.”
In September 2020, Janica revealed she's in a new relationship with Lorenz Sia.
She said in a social media post a day before going public with her new relationship, "Since the day my Angel had passed away almost 3 [years] ago, I was actually [content with] being alone. I even thought of not being with someone else ever, as long as I have my family, friends and God, I knew that I would be okay,” she said. “But this year I asked myself what if someday when someone comes into my life, will I get to fall [in love] again?”
Franco passed away at the age of 26 in November 2017 from a drowning accident in North Lamidan, Davao Occidental during an island trip with Janica. He was a part of the dance group Philippine All Stars prior to becoming a TV personality.
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READ: Maine Mendoza's inspiring message to Janica Nam Floresca