'Bittersweet' Cebu return for Jackie Lou Blanco after mom Pilita's passing

Jackie Lou Blanco was preparing for the last four shows of her latest play “Deadma” with co-star JC Santos when news came that her mother, Pilita Corrales, passed away on April 12.

- By JANUAR JUNIOR AGUJA

"I had two performances that day," she said during a press conference Sunday, April 27, at Cebu Parklane International Hotel. "I had to continue performing because I had no alternate actress, and I know my mom would have wanted me to honor my commitment. That's the hardest part."

It was a bittersweet journey for Blanco to return to her mom's hometown of Cebu City two weeks since the passing of Asia's Queen of Songs. She said, "It was very hard because it's unimaginable to lose a parent, even if you know they will eventually go. My mom was 87, and she would have turned 88 in August."

"The other day, I woke up and got my phone to call my mom, only to realize that she is not here anymore," she continued. "It's difficult because when somebody passes, you are on autopilot, attending to many people who are extending their condolences. After a while, it hits you that your mom is not here anymore. My mom may have died peacefully, but it's still so hard."

"Grieving is a journey. There are days you are okay, and other days you are not okay. There is no shortcut to grieving. You grieve for your loved one for as long as you need to grieve."