After much speculation, Cherie Gil finally broke her silence and confirmed her separation from husband of 20 years, Israeli violinist Roni Rogoff.  During the pictorial for the upcoming teleserye Pieta, Cherie revealed that her husband and two children Bianca,12 and Rafael, 10 are now in Israel while she is here in the Philippines with her eldest son Jay, 21.  Without detailing the real reason for the break up, the actress said that she just had to accept what happened no matter how painful it was.  “We’re both growing up as human beings.  May iba’t ibang klase ng pagmamahalan.  Para sa akin kapag mahal mo ang isang tao you have to leave room for each other to grow.  You have to give each other space but without losing the connection emotionally.”

Basing on Cherie’s words, it seems that there are no ill feelings between her and Roni.  However, being away from her children is seriously taking its toll on her heart as a mother.  “Sa buhay naman walang mahirap.  Pero as long as alam kong para sa kabutihan ng lahat, kakayanin ko.”  Thanks to texting, email, and chat, Cherie is able to keep in touch with her two children as often as she wants.  She later got teary eyed when she sent her short but heartwarming message to her kids.  “Mommy will always be here.  No matter the distance you’re always in my heart and in my mind every minute of the day.  I’ll see you soon after I work.”  

When asked if her heart is open for new love, Cherie quickly replied, “Hindi.  I’m not ready.  Hindi ko talaga maisip pa sa ngayon.  That was 20 years of my life.  Roni is a hard act to follow. We spent 20 years together. We have beautiful children.  For life na ang aming connection. Ama siya ng mga anak ko.”  Right now Cherie is devoting her time to work as she starts taping for the teleserye Pieta wherein she plays mother to Ryan Agoncillo.  “I have the love and support of my family, my brothers and my mother.  Sa ngayon gusto ko bigyan ng panahon ang sarili ko, and I think he (Roni) has given me that.”