Ricardo Cepeda, Marina Benipayo share what his 11-month detention taught them

Ricardo Cepeda and his partner Marina Benipayo shared the lessons they learned after the former was detained for 11 months due to an alleged syndicated estafa case filed against him in 2023. 

In Friday's "Fast Talk with Boy Abunda," Ricardo and Marina said that the experience made their already-strong relationship even stronger and them, more patient. 

"I think more patient, more patient with other people. I saw so many people who were in jail for simple things eh, but there were also so many who were in there because of some very frivolous charges made by somebody else and it's so easy to get arrested pala," shared Ricardo. 

The couple also that they have become better people because of the experience, with Marina noting that they were already pretty solid even before. 

Per Marina, the things she did for him and their family were things she would do for the people she loves. 

"Mabigat lang 'di ba we've gone through in our separate lives, we've gone through so much already na akala mo ay okay na 'to papahinga na 'ko, 'yun pala may mangyayari pa 'di ba? Which is much heavier, so sabi ko nga you know it's challenge after challenge but it's easier to accept the challenge rather than keep questioning, keep avoiding," she said.

Ricardo added, "Wala na 'yung mga 'Sana ganito, dapat ganito.'" 

Marina visited Ricardo frequently when he was detained for nine months in Tuguegarao City in Cagayan and for two months in Quezon City, telling Tito Boy, "I want to be there with him." 

The couple also shared their message to each other, with Ricardo apologizing to Marina for what happened. 

"I would say sorry I mean talagang we discussed it na that there was no one to blame among us. Still I just feel sorry that it happened, that we went through that, that the family went through that and salamat for being there as always and more than ever," he told her.  

Meanwhile, Marina said that she wishes she could have done more. 

"Sorry, I wish I could've done more, pero salamat kasi God really, I think, God intended for us to meet talaga after dun sa nangyari sa atin as individuals parang feeling ko ginantimpalaaan tayo with each other tsaka ang bait-bait mo kasi, I dont think I'd be able to find anybody but him," she said. 

During their guesting, Ricardo also opened up about the circumstances that led to his detention and the profound impact the experience had on him and his family.

He said that he worked with a direct selling company as a brand ambassador of its products, attending meetings and presentations and giving testimonials onstage. Per the actor, operations like backdoor meetings and offering investments happened without his knowledge.

Ricardo had also previously said he was not connected to the company involved in the estafa complaint, saying he was only an endorser of its products.

The actor was released from detention and reunited with Marina last September. 

—CDC, GMA Integrated News