Jan Angelo Batongbakal

LJ Moreno and Jimmy Alapag excited to be back in Manila: ‘Very happy to be home’

Article (news)

Peter Andrew Acierto

Push Team

<p>Celebrity couple LJ Moreno and Jimmy Alapag expressed how happy they are to be back in Manila after six years of living in the United States. In an interview with King of Talk Boy Abunda earlier this week, the two shared a glimpse of their plans as they move back to the country.</p><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-2" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DaTb5P7y9c8/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=432&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A2%2C%22os%22%3A908386.5%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="880" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-2" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>LJ and Jimmy moved to the US six years ago after the latter was tapped as an assistant coach for the Sacramento Kings Summer League and later became the team&#x27;s developmental coach. </p><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/2024/10/24/lj-moreno-jimmy-alapag-celebrate-son-s-7th-birthday-1202" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>READ: LJ Moreno, Jimmy Alapag celebrate son’s 7th birthday</strong></a></div><div><br/></div><p>They are moving back to the Philippines after being announced as the new head coach of the NLEX Road Warriors. </p><div><br/></div><p>“Good. Happy to be home–– very happy to be home,” LJ said.</p><div><br/></div><p>“It’s been six years and matagal ko ng pinagpra-pray na umuwi. Although, I’m very happy with his career and all the stuff, but di ba, no place like home talaga,” she added.</p><div><br/></div><p>Jimmy then shared that they are staying in the country “for the immediate future” with their children. </p><div><br/></div><p>“You know, you never know–– the coaching business can be tough. But, for now, again, happy to be home,” he expressed.</p><div><br/></div><p>“To be honest, it just felt like the right time and not just for myself [and] my career but I think more importantly for our family. As you can see, yung asawa ko is extremely happy, and even for the kids, kasi medyo mabigat when you’re traveling throughout the NBA season, kasi minsan yung road trips are five days, 10 days, even up to 14 days. Now coming home, kahit saan that we’ll travel kahit dito sa Pilipinas or abroad, the kids can now just join. So I think that’s a big part of the decision to come home,” he explained.</p><div><br/></div><p>As Jimmy returns to the PBA, LJ reveals that she also wants to make a comeback in showbiz, as she missed acting and hosting. </p><div><br/></div><p>“Being in the States, parang sobrang napagod ako sa States. Like the last year or so, parang sabi ko namiss ko na mag act or mag host–– I just miss getting made up again and not being in a hoodie. No more kuskos kubeta and all that,” she maintained. </p><div><br/></div><p>When asked how they continue to have a strong relationship, LJ asserted that their faith helped them and that she felt secure with Jimmy. </p><div><br/></div><p>“Yung foundation namin with our faith–– putting God in the center. Ang dami naman pinagdaanan. You know people think na we’re in the States, he’s in the NBA, akala nila madali pero ang daming struggles while we were there. Siguro kung wala yung faith namin baka may time na umuwi na rin ako,” she expressed. </p><div><br/></div><p>“I never had a problem. I haven’t had a problem with him and in fairness to Jimmy, he really makes me feel secure and never ko siyang kailangan hanapin. If anything, gusto niya together kami doing stuff all the time,” she ended. </p><div><br/></div><p>LJ and Jimmy arrived in the country earlier this week.</p>