'It's been very hard': Jackie Lou Blanco on losing mom, ex-husband

Metro Manila, Philippines – “It’s been really very hard.”

Veteran actress Jackie Lou Blanco described the grief of her family after the consecutive losses of her mother, the iconic Pilita Corrales, and her former husband, actor-director Ricky Davao.

Speaking to reporters on Sunday during the conferment ceremony for Corrales at Malacañang, Blanco opened up about the emotional toll.

"Ricky had been sick for the last couple of months. He really fought a good fight,” Blanco said. “But it's difficult because grief doesn’t end after you lay someone to rest. We’re still mourning for my mom, and now we’re grieving for Ricky.”

The actress said the pain has been especially hard for her children.

"They lost their dad and their ‘mamita’ almost at the same time," she said. "Is it difficult? Yes. But we are trying to draw strength from each other and praying for God’s help so we can get through this together.”

Blanco said she encourages her children to carry on with the legacy of their family members.

"I told them, ‘We honor your mamita and your dad by being excellent in what you do and in how you treat other people,’” she said.

Corrales, hailed as Asia’s Queen of Songs, passed away on April 12 at the age of 85. Davao died on May 2 at 63.