Former actress Katherine Luna breaks silence on alleged love child with Coco Martin: 'Hindi ko intensyon na guluhin yung buhay niya noon'
Former award-winning indie actress Katherine Luna finally set the record straight about the long-standing rumors involving a supposed love child with acclaimed actor Coco Martin.
In an interview with Julius Babao on his YouTube channel, Julius Babao UNPLUGGED, Katherine, who left show business nine years prior, discussed for the first time the 2014 DNA test confirming Coco's non-paternity. She also addressed her four-year imprisonment for drug-related offenses alongside her former partner.
Katherine initially believed Coco was her daughter Nicole's father because she recognized a resemblance to the latter in the child, now 20 years old.
"Nung nilabas ko si Nicole, dumalaw siya. Tumindi yung [hinala] ko nung binuhat niya si Nicole tapos ang sabi niya, 'Kat, nakikita ko yung picture ko nung bata ako," Katherine said highlighting that she and Coco developed their romantic feelings with each other when they starred together in the film, Pagkagat ng Dilim.
However, in the middle of their blossoming relationship, there was another guy with whom Katherine spent the night.
"After three months, nabalitaan kong buntis [ako] pero siya [Coco Martin] lang pumasok sa isip ko. That time alanganin din ako pero feeling ko lang na baka siya, kasi yung isa, isang beses lang 'yun."
"Bago ako manganak, bumili siya [Coco Martin] ng crib, binigyan niya ata ako ng P20,000 at binilhan niya ng gamit si Nicole. Natutuwa ako na... malay mo naman tapos nung pinanganak ko si Nicole dun talaga ako nag assume na nung sinabi niya na picture niya ang nakikita niya kay Nicole" she added.
Nonetheless, Katherine emphasized that throughout the issue, she never asked for money from Coco.
"Hindi ako nanghingi ng pera hindi rin siya nagbigay ng pera. Miski piso, miski singko wala."
She continued, "Hindi ko ginawang pagkakitaan ng anak ko, hindi ako tumanggap. Wala akong tinanggap na pera sa kanya simula nung lumabas si Nicole at wala rin siyang binigay na pera."
On discovering that Coco is not the father
Katherine thought Coco wasn't Nicole's father when Nicole's appearance began to change around age three.
"Ang hirap bawiin, kasi unang una mayroong bata," she implied, adding that since this incident she kept mum about the issue.
Katherine then narrated how Coco discovered that he was not Nicole's father. According to Katherine, Coco went straight to her mother, where Nicole was taken care of, as the former wanted to be with the child and reach out.
"Wala nga siyang kinenwento," the former actress said, referring to her mom, "Kinuha ko si Nicole sa puder ni mama. Kaya ko tinatago at nilalayo yung bata kasi ayokong dumating 'yung panahon o araw na sabihin na pinerahan, kumuha lang 'yan ng pera tapos hindi naman pala anak' kasi nararamdaman ko na nga na hindi [si Coco ang ama]."
"Hindi ko lang alam kung paano sasabihin sa kanya kasi pinangungunahan ako ng hiya. Gusto ko lang patayin yung isyu," she explained.
Luna underscored that she chose to stay away from the scene because she felt embarrassed, unsure of how to admit her mistake without being judged by others, and, at the same time, did not want her child to be affected. She explained that it was difficult for her to take back her words.
"Pinili ko nalang mawala sa eksena kasi nahihiya ako, kasi hindi ko alam kung paano ko sasabihin na nagkamali ako na hindi ko alam kung paano yung hindi ako mahuhusgahan ng tao at the same time na hindi maaapektuhan yung anak ko."
She continued, "Mahirap bawiin yung salita lalo na parang pinanindigan mo nung una."
Ultimately, she clarified that she never intended to mess up Coco's life.
Reflecting on her past, Katherine admitted she was young and easily believed in rumors. In the end, she decided to hide and remain silent.
"Hindi ko intensyon na guluhin yung buhay niya noon. Bata pa ako, madali akong maniwala sa sabi sabi."
During a May 18, 2014 interview on The Buzz with Boy Abunda, Coco denied paternity of Katherine's child, stated he'd known Nicole for eight years, and affirmed he had no relationship with Katherine.
"Noong time na sinabi niya sa akin na nagdadalang-tao siya, hindi ako nagtanong na parang akin ba ‘to? Ang sabi ko sa kanya, 'Ano ang gagawin natin? Ano ang pwede kong maitulong ko sa ‘yo?' Kasi, wala kaming relasyon," Coco said.
Coco stated that his background of being in a broken family urged him to take good care of Katherine while she was pregnant. "Ayokong maranasan ng magiging anak ko ang naranasan ko."
Katherine's mom allowed him to conduct a DNA test with Nicole. When it was discovered that it wasn't him who was the child's biological father, Coco admitted at that time that he was hurt by how the child could feel.
Katherine is a multi-awarded actress who gained prominence for her role in the 2003 film Babae sa Breakwater. She clinched various accolades through this film, including Best Actress in the 2004 Cinemanila International Film Festival and the 2004 Singapore International Film Festival.
She also bagged the Best Actress award for the same film at the Brazil Independent Film Festival 2004.
Katherine and Coco starred together in various hit indie films such as Masahista (2005) and Imoral (2008).
Meanwhile, Coco is currently in a relationship with Saving Grace star Julia Montes.
