Jackie Forster, who recently returned to the Philippines for a brief visit after living abroad for several years, explains why she keeps on reaching out to Andre and Kobe (her sons with her former husband Benjie Paras), despite the boys’ appeal for her to stay out of their lives.

“Sobrang sakit, kanina sobra na 'yung iyak ko kanina, so masakit na masakit. Kung kaibigan mo nga magtampuhan kayo 'yun pa kayang anak mo, sarili mong kadugo (It’s really painful, I was crying so much a while ago, so it really hurts. If fighting with your friend can be painful, how much more if it’s with your child, someone who shares your blood?)?” the former actress explained in an interview with PEP.ph.

“I mean, people have so much to say about it, right? But at the end of the day, they won’t understand na pag hinanap ko 'yung mga bata dahil nami-miss ko 'di ba? Kung puwede lang, kung puwede lang na lumipat kami dito bukas, dito na kami (they won’t understand that I’m yearning for my children because I miss them, right? If only it were possible, if we could move here tomorrow, we’ll be here),” she continued.

Jackie also answered a YouTube user’s speculation that she must have done something in the past that really traumatized her children.

“Ako wala lang, ang feeling ko lang is because wala ako sa buhay nila, 'yun ang ikinasasama ng loob nila, 'yun lang, 'yun lang ang feeling ko talaga as a mother (For me, I just feel that they’re mad at me because I’m not present in their lives, that’s my hunch as a mother.). Because, otherwise I think they would have said already.”

When asked about a possible showbiz comeback, Jackie said she's still waiting for a good offer.

“Bahala na kung may magandang offer. I mean, dapat talaga juicy 'yung role if ever (Let's wait for a good offer. I mean, the role should be really juicy, if ever.).”

(Photo courtesy of PEP.ph)