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Kapamilya Snaps: 7 tear-jerking reunions of celebrities with their dads

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Mary Ann Bardinas

<p>Not all people are blessed enough to have a happy and complete family. There are some of us who have to grow apart from their parents due to the various circumstances their families have faced. Regardless if their separation is peaceful or hostile, that didn’t stop them from still yearning to see again and even create a beautiful bond with their parents someday.</p><p>And that “someday” finally came to some people, such as the celebrities listed in this Kapamilya Snaps feature, who got reunited with their estranged dads. Just in time for the Father’s Day celebration this weekend, check this out to reminisce about their heartwarming reunions!</p><div> </div><div><strong>Ruffa Gutierrez let her daughters see their dad after 15 years</strong></div><p>Those who have been following the life of Ruffa in-and-out of showbiz surely know that she used to be married to Turkish businessman Yilmaz Bektas. Their marriage was short-lived as they agreed to go on separate ways. Since then, she has been raising their kids Lorin and Venice singlehandedly.</p><p>And now that the two girls are 18 and 19, respectively, not to mention that 15 years had already passed, the It’s Showtime “Sexy Babe” judge finally allowed them to fly to Istanbul, Turkey to reunite with their dad. She imparted the important milestone on Instagram by posting a montage of their heartwarming moments together and wrote in the caption: “Trust in God’s perfect timing. It took patience and a whole lot of faith, but everything was worth the wait”.</p><div> </div><div><strong>Sunshine Cruz’s brood got to bond with their father anew</strong></div><p>The same thing happened to Sunshine, who became a single mom to daughters Angelina, Samantha, and Francheska after calling it quits with former husband Cesar Montano. Although show business may seem like a small world, the three young ladies still became estranged to their Papa.</p><p>And after several years, Sunshine let her <em>tres marias</em> see Cesar in 2016. It was succeeded by their reunion this year, as they were photographed having a fun get-together alongside their <em>Kuya </em>Diego Loyzaga, the veteran actor’s son from another previous relationship.</p><div> </div><div><strong>Tony Labrusca was surprised to see his Daddy Boom again</strong></div><p>Before creating a name for himself in the local entertainment scene, Tony spent the early years of his life in Canada, where he grew up and dabbled into various jobs – from cook, shoe salesman, and cashier. And in 2016, he came to the Philippines and joined <strong>Pinoy Boyband Superstar</strong>.</p><p>It was during his audition wherein he saw his estranged dad Boom Labrusca for the first time since he was a kid. In between tears, he uttered, “He’s my blood <em>kaya kahit parang</em> stranger <em>siya sa akin</em>, I see so much of myself in him.”</p><div> </div><div><strong>Lotlot de Leon finally met her biological father</strong></div><p>Avid showbiz fans arguably know that Lotlot is an adoptive daughter of showbiz legends Nora Aunor and Christopher de Leon. She got to see her biological parents when she’s already a grown-up and in separate instances.</p><p>The <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/love40days2022" target="_blank"><em><strong><u>Love In 40 Days</u></strong></em></a> actress first met her mother Eva Rodriguez in 1991, and then her father Donald Lee Olsen in 2009. She had the chance to see him again in 2017 when she flew to the United States with her children Diego and Janine. She also got to bond with the other daughters of her father – Donna, Dawn, and Myria – to whom she was very much thankful.</p><div> </div><div><strong>Jessy Mendiola went emotional upon seeing her dad after 14 years</strong></div><p>Jessy Mendipola was separated from her father for 14 years and they had their first reunion in 2017. It was followed by their meeting in her birthplace in Dubai in 2019 and last March 2022, tagging along her husband Luis Manzano in the latter.</p><div> </div><div><strong>Julia Montes got reunited with her dad in 2016</strong></div><p>Julia also stood as the breadwinner of her family since she grew up without her dad by her side. Raised by her grandmother Flory Hautea and deaf-mute mother Gemma Hautea, she eagerly pursued a career in showbiz since she was a kid to help her family.</p><p>And after so many years, the <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/angprobinsyano" target="_blank"><em><strong><u>FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano</u></strong></em></a> star finally met her German father Martin Schnittka at a restaurant in Quezon City in 2016, which was made possible by her fans, friends, and one of her cousins.</p><div> </div><div><strong>Angelica Panganiban met her real father after 24 years</strong></div><p>While most of the names in this list knew who their fathers are since the beginning, Angelica only found out in 2010 that she’s actually adopted. She began to search for her biological parents, and at 24 years old, she flew to the United States where she finally met her long-lost father Mark Charlson for the first time.</p><p>The journey of these celebrities is proof that no matter how much time passes or how far the distance, our family will always have a place in our hearts. Happy Father’s Day to all dads out there and those who we consider as one.</p>

Check out the heartwarming reunions of these celebrities with their fathers in this Kapamilya Snaps feature!