Ai-Ai delas Alas has confirmed that she has separated from her husband Gerald Sibayan, ending their nearly decade-long relationship.
Speaking on “Fast Talk With Boy Abunda” on her 60th birthday on Monday, the actress became emotional as she revealed their separation which happened last month in the early hours of October 14, when she received the news in a text message from her husband.
“Hiwalay na kami. Last month pa,” Ai-Ai disclosed, recounting the moment she received the unexpected message from Gerald.
“Basta hindi ko makakalimutan. October 14, nag-chat siya, madaling araw sa Pilipinas. ‘Yun nga. Sinabi niya na gusto niya magkaanak at hindi na siya happy,” she shared.
Expressing her surprise, AiAi added, “So medyo confused ako and shocked, and bakit ngayon? Bakit ngayong oras na ‘to? Sana hinintay mo man lang ako makauwi sa Amerika.”
Despite their long relationship, Ai-Ai admitted that she had prepared herself for the possibility of such an outcome.
“Actually, nung nagpakasal ako kay Gerald, nire-ready ko naman ang sarili ko sa ganitong magiging sitwasyon.Kasi alam ko na bata pa si Gerald. Baka magbago yung isip,” she said, reflecting on the 29-year age gap between them.
Although Ai-Ai had always hoped for a lasting marriage, she eventually faced the reality of their separation.
“Pero alam mo yung, ‘Sana huwag. Sana totoong may forever. Sana binigyan talaga ako ni Lord ng pagkakataon na magkaroon ng maganda, matagal na pag-aasawa’.
“So, nagulat ako na ‘Ah ngayon na pala yon’. Akala ko, kapag 35 years old na siya [makikipaghiwalay sa akin]. Ito na pala yon,” she remarked.
Delas Alas said she stopped communicating with Gerald after their text exchange, as she felt there was nothing left to discuss after he firmly expressed his decision to end their relationship.
“Hindi na ako nakipag-usap kasi yung messages namin, parang wala nang pag-uusapan pa. Nasabi na niya na ‘Ito na yung firm decision ko.’”
Ai-Ai also opened up about the emotional strain caused by Gerald’s desire to have children.
Despite knowing that she could not have children naturally, Ai-Ai had tried her best, undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) in hopes of conceiving.
“Kasi alam naman niya na bago niya ako pakasalan, hindi na ako magkakaanak, but I really tried my best,” she told Boy.
“Meron kaming in vitro [fertilization]. Kahit mahina yung eggs ko, tina-try ko na mag-IVF. And then, meron kaming tatlong embryo, may name yon—si Graine, Gale… Meron pa kaming isa, si Gold. Meron pa kaming isang embryo,” Ai-ai revealed in tears.
She went on to speak about her hopes of surprising Gerald with a third embryo, but it seemed this was not what he wanted.
“Snabi niya na nasasaktan siya na nawala yung dalawa naming baby. Sabi ko pa nga sa kanya, ‘May isa pa tayo, si Gold. Anak mo rin yon. Yun ang i-try natin [na mabuo],’ pero ayaw niya.”
When asked if a third party was involved in their separation, Ai-Ai expressed about having suspicions.
“Gut feeling, ramdam ko meron,” she admitted.
Despite this, she emphasized that when Gerald made his decision clear, she didn’t feel the need to fight for the relationship.
“Nagtira naman ako kasi alam ko na mangyayari uli yon. Kasi nung 2019, nag-cheat na rin siya noon,” she revealed, referencing an earlier betrayal that left her with trust issues.
Ai-Ai also further reflected on the age gap in their relationship and how it might have played a role in Gerald’s decision.
“Siguro nag-iba na yung priorities niya,” she said, acknowledging that Gerald may have found a different path for his life. “Ngayon, meron na siyang karapatan to fly.”
As Ai-Ai continues to heal from this unexpected chapter in her life, she shared that she has no regrets and gave her all to the relationship.
“Tinray ko naman ang lahat ng gusto niya,” she concluded, expressing her commitment to doing her best in their marriage, despite the eventual outcome.
Ai-Ai and Gerald, who first tied the knot in 2017, renewed their vows in Las Vegas in 2022.
The couple had recently celebrated their 10th anniversary in April.
