EXCLUSIVE: Alexa Ilacad shares the biggest heartbreak in her life: ‘I cried like I’ve never cried before’

After turning 18 last week, Alexa Ilacad said she had best birthday memory of her life when she decided to celebrate with the rescued animals at the Philippine Animal Welfare Society animal shelter instead of holding a grand debut. Alexa said she actually grew up being scared of dogs before finally keeping one. “I don’t remember my first pet na kasi ever since I was a kid naman I really loved animals pero since I never had the experience of owning my own, I would be scared kasi nahabol na ako before ng dog. Pero hindi naman ako kinagat kasi play lang pala yun. So every time someone would gift me a dog I would end up giving it away kasi natatakot ako for some reason,” she told PUSH.

Now that she is a responsible pet parent, Alexa said she is happy taking care of her dog Blush. “I had my first serious relationship with a dog three years ago with Blush na binigay sa akin ng best friend ko na admin ng fans club ko. Kasi I don’t really support shopping for animals, I support adopting them. Sabi ko I would never buy a dog. Pero she gifted it to me kasi so I love that dog more than anything,” she admitted.

After her experience at PAWS, Alexa said she is seriously considering adopting a pet from the shelter. “My mom is so scared because she thinks I’ll take home an animal today. Sabi niya, ‘Alexa please we’re not ready yet.’ Sabi ko, ‘I’ll try (laughs).’ But of course I’ve been considering it for the longest time. And if I can’t adopt I’ll just keep supporting the shelter so they can keep rescuing,” she said.

The Star Magic talent also has experience rescuing animals off the street and taking care of them herself. “I had a cat recently. Too young to tell if it was a boy or a girl. Salem was with me for just five days only but she or he passed. I keep rescuing cats. Naaalala ko kapag galing taping pag nakakakita ako, I would get it and then I would bring it to the vet right away. And then I contact all my friends who are interested and then thankfully lahat ng pinost ko may nag-adopt. Yun lang si Salem yung I kept for myself and I was so decided this one would be mine. And then yun nga she passed and it was the worst heartbreak of my life. Five days with me and I cried like I’ve never cried before. She gave me so much love. In that short five days I loved that cat so bad. When I got her she had an eye infection halos mabulag na. Ginamot ko siya everyday, ako lang kaya sobrang attached ako kasi napagaling ko siya. Nakakatakbo na siya. I knew I could never keep it kasi my mom doesn’t like cats. Sabi ko I can’t let this happen. Parang one minute pa lang head over heels na ako. Sabi ko, ‘This is mine I am keeping it,’” she said.