Around GMA

Article Inside Page

Andi Eigenmann couldn't stop her tears from rolling down her cheeks when she shared her love story with pro surfer Philmar Alipayo.

The touching moment happened at CloseUp's #FreeToLove campaign at Maybank Performing Arts Theater in Taguig City, where different personalities openly shared their personal stories about defying public pressure and opinion, in order for them to love the person they want.

Andi, who turned her back on showbiz to live in Siargao and start a family with her partner Philmar, became short of breath the moment she recounted the hurtful words that she received after she made her relationship public.

“I moved away when I moved to Siargao. I've been so far from the limelight.

“I didn't think that the relationship I was getting into was so uncommon, because to me and my friends in my circle, it's normal.

“Philmar, my partner, we've been friends for a while and we have the same group of friends. That's how our relationship started.

“As soon as I posted it on social media, it was inevitable for us to get negative criticism, because 'we're not bagay,' or because 'I'm maganda' and 'I come from a high profile family' and he was 'just a person from the island.'

“But I always tell him, 'You're not just a person from the island, you're the richest person I know, because…'”

It was at this moment the 29-year-old mother of two became emotional.

“When I decided to become confident of my relationship and be proud of it on social media, I didn't expect that I would touch a lot of people in such a way that I'd inspire them to be brave enough with their choices also.

“The right man for you should not be measured by how secure his future is or what he can give me because I can give that to myself.

“All that matters to me is that he has ambition and he has dreams and we can work on that together. Now we have a beautiful family.

“Nothing is perfect. Nobody is perfect. All that matters is how you guys look at each other and how you accept each other for who you are and love each other no matter what.

“There's always a positive side to everything.”

'Live without judgment'

GMANetwork.com got the chance to speak with Andi backstage right after her emotional talk.

She admitted that she didn't expect the tears to come.

“It was my first time to put everything into words, so I didn't expect to be emotional,” she explained.

“This event, what it stands for, also means a lot to me. I know that a lot of people can relate to what I went through. Making that decision to ignore the hate from everybody else turned out well for me.

“I want to be able to inspire others to do the same.”

She admitted that the first time the brand contacted her, she didn't know what to say.

“I was so nervous. When they interviewed me on the phone for the brief, I didn't know what to say! I told them, 'I'm sorry, this is just a phone interview but I didn't expect to be so nervous.'

“I guess it's normal to feel that way if what you're talking about is something really important.”

Does her daughter Ellie know about Andi's sacrifices and struggles during the early stages of her relationship with Philmar?

“I don't think so. Just like what I said, when my relationship with Philmar began, for the people around us, our circle, it wasn't a big deal.

“So I didn't expect to be some sort of advocate of 'Free to Love' because I didn't see anything uncommon about it.

“For Ellie, that's how I'm raising her, just to live without judgment and love people and accept everybody, regardless [of] where they come from.

“I know that it [Andi's story] is not something that she's aware of, because to us it's just normal.”

When the time is right, Andi is willing to tell everything to her daughter.

“Of course. Maybe [by that time] it's a story that I would not have to tell her. Maybe as she grows older, and goes out into the world and learns more and experiences more about the great unknown, she'll realize, 'Oh, my Mom was in a relationship or in a situation that not everybody considered to be normal or to be okay.'

“When she realizes that, I hope that she sees me as an inspiration of some sort to do the same, to go out there and feel that she should be free to love.

“Me fighting for freedom to love is also for her and the younger ones. And that this will be something that people will not have to talk about, because it's normal and accepted.”

'No regrets'

Andi admitted that she misses acting big time.

“Oh yeah, always, all the time! Acting is something that I've always been passionate about.

“But it doesn't mean I regret any of the decisions I made. I wouldn't have my life any other way.

“Normal naman to miss things. But it doesn't mean na, I want to go back to how my life was before.”

What she loves most about life in Siargao?

Without missing a beat, she answered, “Oooh, for one, the fresh air! The fresh food, the fresh seafood!

“And it's just so much easier. Hindi uso do'n 'yung judgment, 'yung negative judgment toward others. Hindi uso 'yan do'n.

“Everybody is accepted, everybody is loved. Everybody has the same agenda, to have fun, to have the time of their lives.

“That vacation for them, that's life for me.

“I appreciate every day that vibe that the island gives me.”

Andi has not completely turned her back on showbiz. But she clarifies that she won't be doing anything big next year--or at least anything that would keep her away from her family.

“As of the moment, none yet. I don't know what I'll be doing or if I'll be doing anything because I just gave birth and my daughter Lilo is just four months.

“I've been having a blast, hanging out with them and spending time with them, kasi we're still somehow adjusting in Siargao, because we're only about to finish our house and business there.”

IN PHOTOS: Meet Baby Lilo, Andi Eigenmann and Philmar Alipayo's daughter

IN PHOTOS: The modern family of Andi Eigenmann and Philmar Alipayo