Jeric Raval reflects on having 18 children: 'Huwag niyo akong gagayahin'
Jeric Raval spoke candidly about being a father to 18 children with seven different women.
In an interview with journalist Susan Enriquez, the veteran actor looked back on the challenges that came with maintaining a relationship with each of his kids.
According to him, he was only around 18 years old when he had his first child, who is now 34. His youngest is 17 years old.
When he welcomed his eldest, he recalled juggling a relationship with his wife Holiday Buensuceso and former actress Monica Herrera. It even reached a point where they got pregnant at the same time and gave birth in different hospitals.
"Kung isasa-pelikula mo buhay ko, comedy. Lalo na sa hospital, nanganak 'yung isa, tatakbo ako. Ang gulo," he said.
He also shared why he ended up having such a large family.
"Ang story niyan kung ba't dumami, kakahintay kong may lumabas na lalaki. Puro babae, babae, babae. Nung dumating na 'yung mga lalaki, tinigil ko na," he said, detailing that he now has six sons.
The actor said that he tries his best to be present in his children's lives by managing his time well and loving them equally.
When asked how he feels when people ask him about having children with different women, he said, "Wala, ordinaryo na lang eh. Kapag tinanong, 'May anak ka pala kay ano?' Oo kako. 'Ilan anak mo doon?' Tatlo. Mas nakakaya kasi sabihing, 'Oo anak ko 'yun. Mas makakahiya 'yun tapos pinabayaan mo lang. 'Ah, ikaw pala 'yung tatay nung tatlo, 'yung pinabayaan mo.' Pangit naman 'yun.'"
Raval stressed that while he doesn't regret having a big family, he admitted that caring for 18 children often meant putting his own well-being on the back burner.
"Hindi naman ako nagsisisi. Mabait naman 'yung mga anak ko. Pero kung ako ang tatanungin, kung mababalik ko lang 'yung panahon, siguro ang anak ko, marami na 'yung lima. Kasi ang tagal ng panahon na hindi ko na-[prioritize] 'yung sarili ko eh," he said.
According to Raval, providing for his children meant juggling multiple jobs, especially as the local film industry went into decline.
"Itinawid ko 'yung 18 na 'yun sa panahon na patay ang movie industry. Nag-buy and sell ako ng sasakyan, nag-build and sell ako ng bahay, nangongontrata ako ng mga trusse at saka mga bubungan," he recounted.
"Tapos nag-Japan ako. Raket-raket. Pakanta-kanta ka lang kahit hindi ka marunong kumanta. Bawat pupuntahan namin na bar, tatlong kanta, lilipat na naman kami," he added.
Because of these hardships, Raval discouraged others from following in his footsteps.
"Huwag niyo akong gagayahin ha. Mahirap ang time management, hindi uubra doon ’yung time management niyo," he stressed.
Raval has four children with his wife Buensuceso, including Tiffany and Mela Buensuceso, while he has three children with Herrera, including Jennica and Janina Raval. He also has children with former actress Alyssa Alvarez, including his most recognized child, AJ Raval, and Vanessa Raval. Another one of his children, Sean Raval, has also entered show business as an actor.
Raval became known for his role as an action star in the 1990s. Recently, he starred in projects such as Pasakalye, Blood vs Duty, Never Say Die, and Mga Batang Riles.
