Dannyka Manangan

Ellen Adarna says John Lloyd Cruz has always been her son's father figure: ‘Because he’s present’

Article (news)

Alyana De Guzman

Push Team

<p>Ellen Adarna took to her Instagram stories once more to answer questions from her followers on December 24. Following her recent separation from Derek Ramsay, Ellen shared an update on how her son Elias is adjusting to the new family setup, highlighting how John Lloyd Cruz has always been a present and involved father in her son’s life. </p><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2025/12/15/ellen-adarna-and-john-lloyd-cruz-reunite-to-support-their-son-elias-at-his-piano-recital-1309"><strong>READ: Ellen Adarna and John Lloyd Cruz reunite to support their son Elias at his piano recital</strong></a></div><div><br/></div><p>Among the queries was about how her son is coping after her separation from Derek, whom Elias had known as a stepfather since 2021. </p><p>“I wonder how did Elias take the new set up w/o his Papa D [Derek]. He was his father figure for a while,” the netizen asked. </p><div><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1766563293512Elias new set up.png" style="width:600px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div><br/></div><p>In her response, Ellen gently clarified that for Elias, the constant father figure in his life has always been his biological father, John Lloyd, largely because of his presence and involvement. </p><p>“John Lloyd is always Elias’s father figure because he’s present. Elias is very in love with John Lloyd. They have a very close relationship.” </p><p>She reinforced the depth of that bond by simply stating, “Elias is very in love with his father.” </p><p>The actress went on to share how much John Lloyd’s presence meant to her, especially during a vulnerable time for their family. She recalled feeling grateful knowing that Elias had his father to lean on when the breakup happened. </p><p>“So, when the breakup happened, of course I thanked John Lloyd. Thank you kay John Lloyd. Because imagine if you’re not there? Imagine if you’re not present?” </p><p>She then painted a picture of just how close the father and son relationship is, sharing moments that reveal the emotional attachment between them. </p><p>“Super silang close ni John Lloyd to the point na when John Lloyd brings Elias to me, Elias cries [and says] ‘I miss my dada, I miss my dada’”. </p><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2025/11/17/ellen-adarna-calls-john-lloyd-cruz-a-good-and-present-father-to-their-son-elias-1755"><strong>READ: Ellen Adarna calls John Lloyd Cruz &#x27;a good and present father&#x27; to their son Elias</strong></a></div><div><br/></div><p>Elias, now 7 years old, is Ellen’s firstborn with John Lloyd, with whom she was in a relationship for several years before their reported split around 2019. At the time, Elias was only about a year old. While Ellen and John Lloyd never publicly discussed the details of their separation, they have since maintained a co-parenting setup.  </p><p>Ellen later married Derek in 2021, but separated last November after Ellen revealed his alleged infidelity. </p><p>Netizens who watched Ellen’s stories were quick to notice the emotion in her voice and her teary eyes as she spoke about John Lloyd and Elias. Many pointed out how she consistently speaks kindly and respectfully about her former partner. </p><p>“Teary eyed ka while talking about Elias and JL’s relationship,” one netizen noted. </p><p>“Only good words for JL. Love it,” another wrote.</p><p>Meanwhile, Ellen said that Elias will be spending the Christmas with his father. </p><p>“Elias is spending Christmas with John Lloyd. This is the first time ever na not divided yung time because before it was half-half. But he will be with me after Christmas [for the] New Year.”  </p><div><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1766563274411Ellen to Isabel.png" style="width:600px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2025/11/22/ellen-adarna-shares-tips-on-dealing-with-cheating-and-manipulation-1338"><strong>READ: Ellen Adarna shares tips on dealing with cheating and manipulation: ‘Screenshot faster than they can unsend’</strong></a></div><div><br/></div><p>During the same Q&amp;A, Ellen was also asked about her relationship with John Lloyd’s girlfriend, artist Isabel Santos. Ellen responded warmly, describing a comfortable and friendly dynamic between them. </p><p>“Oo dai. Chika galore kami dai. She is so nice. Elias loves her. She is cool. She is pleasant. And she is fun, grabe ang sense of humor.” </p><p>She even added playfully and tagged her in the post, “Hi Sabel, ano pa yung mga chika natin?”  </p><p>This was not the first time Ellen publicly praised John Lloyd as a father. In November, following her separation from Derek, Ellen had already spoken openly about John Lloyd’s role in their son’s life. </p><p>“With JL (John Lloyd), day, wala talaga ako masabi. I have nothing but good things to say about him, you know. We had differences in the past but I respect him because he is a very good provider. He is honest and he is a very present father,” she said. </p><div><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1766563257273JL and Ellen with Elias.jpg" style="width:600px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div><br/></div><p>More recently, Ellen and John Lloyd were seen together for a meaningful family moment when they both attended Elias’s piano recital on December 14. Ellen reshared a series of Instagram Stories, including a photo of the former couple standing onstage with Elias as he proudly held his certificate of achievement. Other clips showed Elias fully focused during his performance. </p><div><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1766563229154Ellen and JL with friends.jpg" style="width:600px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div><br/></div><p>Also present at the recital was Isabel, who shared backstage moments and photos of Elias, several of which Ellen also reposted. Other posts showed Ellen, John Lloyd, and Isabel appearing comfortable and supportive of one another, offering netizens a rare glimpse into what many described as a healthy and modern co-parenting dynamic.</p>

<p>Ellen Adarna opens up about how her son Elias is adjusting after her recent separation, emphasizing that John Lloyd Cruz has consistently been a steady and present father figure in his life. </p>

Ellen Adarna opens up about how her son Elias is adjusting after her recent separation, emphasizing that John Lloyd Cruz has consistently been a steady and present father figure in his life.