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In a recent episode of Tunay na Buhay, former Parañaque City mayor and actor Joey Marquez talked about being a father to his 16 children.

The former Palibhasa Lalake star told host Pia Arcangel that he first became a father at a very young age.

“I had my first child when I was 15 years old, 14 to 15.”

Joey also revealed that he came from a broken family, but grew up knowing all his sisters and brothers.

“Alam mo kasi ang principle in life ko, lahat ng half-sister (and) brother ko, kilala ko lahat 'yan.

“I don't call them my half-sisters, half-brothers.

“Sabi ko, wala naman silang kasalanan, e.

“Kapatid ko pa rin 'yan kahit ano'ng mangyari.

“Very close ako sa lahat ng kapatid ko.”

Joey Marquez on 'Tunay na Buhay' / Source: Tunay na Buhay

Joey also takes pride in the fact that despite having different mothers, all his children know one another and get along really well.

“Alam mo very protective sila sa isa't isa.

“'Pagka 'yung isa naapi, guguyurin nung isa.

“Parang ganun sila.”

Moreover, Joey said he's proud of his children's educational attainment because that's the greatest gift he can give them.

“'One day you'll be a parent. You'll understand me why I'm like this.

“And why I'm always on guard in terms of your education.

“That's the only thing I can promise you for a better life,' sabi ko sa kanila.”

And if you're wondering if Joey can name all his children in chronological order, of course he can!

Here are all Joey Marquez's children from eldest to youngest: JJ, Jeremy, Jesm, Kristine, Jerica, Jerico, Paolo, Jowee Ann, Yeoj, Winwyn, Zia, Vitto, MM, Jazalla, Jacob, and Joeygy.

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A post shared by Joey Marquez (@tsong_marquez)

According to Winwyn, Joey has always been an honest father to all of them.

“Alam na namin, e. My mom and dad never hid anything from us and we grew up beside each other.

“We grew up knowing our other siblings. We have a really, really good relationship with each other. Thanks to my dad, of course. And of course, my mom as well.”

Vitto, on the other hand, shared the greatest lesson Joey taught them.

“Laging sinasabi ni daddy sa'min is walang half-brother, walang half-sister. Kapatid mo pa rin sila at siyempre sa huli din, magtutulungan din kayo kahit ano'ng mangyari, because family is family.”

Get to know more about Joey Marquez's children in the Tunay na Buhay video below.

For more celebrity features like this, watch Tunay na Buhay every Wednesday, 11:30 P.M. on GMA-7's Power Block.

Viewers abroad can also watch Tunay na Buhay via GMA's flagship international channel, GMA Pinoy TV. For the program guide, visit www.gmapinoytv.com.

And for more lifestyle content, head out to GMA's Lifestyle page.

You might also want to know some of the special women in Joey Marquez's life in the gallery below.