Sunshine Cruz confirms that Cesar Montano has been fulfilling his responsibilities as a father to their daughters.
"This year, nagkaroon na siya ng participation... mas may participation na siya sa mga bata. They are in touch. Minsan magkasama pa silang nagsisimba," the actress shares in the ABS-CBN online talk show Love Thy Chika with Ruffa Gutierrez last June 14.
Sunshine at Cesar have three daughters: Angelina, 18, Samantha, 16, and Cheska, 14.
It's been two years since Sunshine spoke up on social media about the loss of Cesar's financial and emotional support for their kids.
While responding to comments, Sunshine mentioned that she didn't fail to remind him of his responsibilities. However, the actor apparently still did not comply with the court order asking him to provide support for their children.
Now, according to Sunshine, their co-parenting system has improved.
In the interview, Sunshine said that she doesn't let her children feel distant from their father.
"Sinasabi ko naman sa mga bata, 'Kung anuman yung mga nangyari noon, hindi naman ibig sabihin nun ay hindi na kayo mahal ng tatay niyo. Kahit anong mangyari, tatay niyo pa rin 'yan.'
"May kanya-kanyang buhay na kami, annulled naman kami ni Cesar. May ibang buhay na siya, and same as with us. Ang importante talaga dito, ang kaligayahan talaga at kapakanan ng mga anak namin."
Sunshine also confirmed that Cesar attended their eldest daughter Angelina's 18th birthday part last September 24, 2019, though he did not mingle with the guests.
"Mas pinili na lang niya na huwag na lang pumasok, siguro iwas na rin sa intriga," reveals Sunshine.
Why Sunshine Is Grateful to ABS-CBN
Sunshine and Cesar got married in September 14, 2000. The couple separated in 2013, and their marriage was annulled last September 18, 2018.
The actress has said that when they split up, she wasn't sure how she would provide for her daughters. This is why she decided to return to showbiz.
She said, "Wala naman kasing ibang sasandalan yung tatlong anak ko kundi ako lang. Pag ipinakita ko na weak ako, mahina ako, panghihinaan din sila ng loob. Kailangan talaga magpakananay, tibayan ko yung kalooban ko."
The actress admits, "Yes, nag-iiyak pa rin ako. There was a time na nalungkot ako nang sobra-sobra. Pero binigyan ko ng expiration date yung pagdadalamhati at pagiging malungkot ko. Kasi hindi naman pwedeng habambuhay tayong ganun. Kawawa yung mga bata. So, sila yung mga naging inspirasyon ko para makabangon."
According to her, it was ABS-CBN who helped her make her comeback to showbiz.
"And I'm really very grateful to ABS-CBN. Kasi, one week pa lang o two weeks nang nabalitaan ng ABS-CBN na hiwalay na ako, nagkaroon agad ako ng offer na teleserye, yun yung Dugong Buhay.
"After 2013, nagdire-diretso na ako, kaya kahit papaano, nagkaroon ako ng lakas ng loob, nagkaroon ako ng pera para mabuhay ko yung mga anak ko."
Currently, Sunshine is part of the Kapamilya afternoon teleserye Love Thy Woman.
Why She's Not Ready to Get Married Again
Ang karelasyon ngayon ni Sunshine ay si Macky Mathay, kapatid ng aktres na si Ara Mina.
Sunshine is currently in a relationship with Macky Mathy, who is the brother of Ara Mina. The two celebrated their fourth annivesary last September. Macky also has three children with his ex-wife Camille Fariñas, and the two have been separated for four years.
Despite Sunshine and Macky's long-standing relationship, the actress says that she is not ready to get married yet.
"Ngayong taon na 'to, inaasikaso ko pa nga yung apelyido ko na mabalik sa Cruz, di ba? Sa ngayon kasi, Montano pa rin ako... ang dami ko pang dapat asikasuhin. At the same time, si Macky rin meron pa ring dapat asikasuhin."
Regarding talks of marriage, Sunshine continues, "Ang akin, in God's perfect time. Kung talagang papakasal kami, wait and see na lang. Pero for now naman, ang mahalaga, magkakasundo yung mga anak namin, masaya kami. Yun na muna. So, bahala na, tingnan na lang natin kung ano mangyayari sa future."
Meanwhile, she mentions that she can't ask for more when it comes to their relationship. Even after four years of being together, she says that they haven't argued.
"This is the relationship that I've always wanted," says Sunshine. "Yung happy lang, yung kalma lang, yung nagsusuportahan lang talaga sa isa't isa."
