Maxene Magalona reveals past 'cool-off' with family helped her heal: ‘It was very much needed’
Maxene Magalona revealed that while temporarily staying away from her family in the past was “one of the most painful things,” it was also a “very much needed” process in her healing.
The actress-yoga and meditation teacher got real about her journey on the latest episode of the Updated with Nelson Canlas podcast, revealing how she overcame being reliant on drinking and partying to “numb the pain” when her father, the “King of Rap” Francis Magalona passed away.
Being a health and wellness advocate for years, Maxene shared that she learned how to let go of things that are no longer healthy for her, even if it means cutting ties with her family.
“Part of the healing journey is cutting ties with relationships, kahit family pa 'yan, na hindi na nakakabuti para sa inyong pareho, para sa inyong dalawa,” she began.
“I kept a healthy distance from my family for a while so that I can find myself, so that I can understand myself, saan nanggagaling 'yung pain,” she added.
She went on to clarify that she’s not blaming her family for her pain, but she believed taking time off from them would help her move on, especially since they became a “co-dependent family.”
“Now I’m not saying na sinisisi ko sa family ko ‘yung pain ko, hindi. Ang sinasabi ko is if this happens to most families growing up, we become dependent to each other, we become a co-dependent family kasi ‘yung energies natin nae-entangle sa isa’t isa,” she explained.
“When we become adults, we have to break away for a while para mas makilala natin ng husto 'yung sarili natin,” she added.
She admitted that while that was “one of the most painful things,” she stressed that “it was very much needed.”
Maxene added that it was advised by her psychiatrist and that she explained her decision to her mom, Pia, and sister, Saab.
“Pero siyempre, at the beginning lahat galit pa. And then later on, nung nahimasmasan na lahat, naintindihan na rin namin na ay okay din palang mag-cool off,” Maxene said. “Minsan sa relationship kailangan natin mag-cool off. Ganun 'yung nangyari.”
“I needed it for myself and in-explain ko naman sa kanila nang maayos bago ko ginawa,” she added.
Maxene shared that the time off made her and her family appreciate each other more.
“Na-appreciate namin 'yung isa't-isa on a deeper level kasi may absence. 'Di ba absence makes the heart grow fonder,” she said.
Maxene also revealed on the podcast that she and Saab reconciled and reconnected last year.
“We cried, we hugged,” Maxene recounted. “And then now dahil magkalapit na kami ng tinitirhan, nakikita ko na siya with her kids. Nakilala ko na rin 'yung kids niya.”
She added that she also reunited with her mom on her dad’s 15th death anniversary at the cemetery last March.
“Okay kami,” she said. “Kumbaga, time was lost but no love was lost. Nandiyan pa rin."
On her family welcoming her new self, Maxene said, “Nagugulat sila na possible pala mag heal nang ganito despite lahat nung mga embarrassing and shameful episodes that I had in the past.”
Maxene also left advice to people who are also struggling with the same decision to follow what they think is best for their healing.
“Kung sa tingin ninyo kailangan na kailangan na, gawin niyo kasi later on, God will bring you back together when it’s time, you have to trust that,” she said.