By Neil Ramos
At A Glance
- Despite finding happiness in Siargao, Andi Eigenmann admits her biggest regret is that her late parents, Jaclyn Jose and Mark Gil, never got to see the life she built.
From the outside looking in, Andi Eigenmann appears to have found the life she had always wanted.
After leaving showbiz, the actress embraced a quieter life in Siargao, where she now raises her family with fiancé Philmar Alipayo.
But behind that seemingly idyllic life is a heartbreak that continues to weigh heavily on her.
In an emotional interview with Karen Davila, Andi admitted that her biggest regret as a daughter is that her late parents, Mark Gil and Jaclyn Jose, never got to see how much she had changed or witness the life she built for herself in Siargao.
"It's been a struggle, of course. I feel like I am always able to talk about my life here or my island life as though it's such a perfect and happy life.
"It is, I am happy, I am content but there's now that big hole that can never be patched up because of the fact that my mom and my dad never got to see this life, and it's been really hard for me."
Mark passed away in 2014 at the age of 52, while Jaclyn died in 2024 at 60.
For Andi, the pain goes beyond losing both parents. It is knowing they were never able to witness the chapter where she finally found contentment and a deeper sense of purpose.
She also opened up about her complicated relationship with showbiz following the deaths of her parents, both respected figures in the entertainment industry.
"I feel like my connection to showbiz as someone who is not in it anymore, it's always going to be them and agreeing to interviews like this will always for me get there at some point because you know I'm supposed to be their legacy.
"And sometimes I question myself, should I keep going so that I could uphold their name? Give it life even long after they're gone, but at the same time I tell myself that's not the only way for me to give their names justice."
While Andi has chosen a different path from her parents, she hopes the life she has built is enough to make them proud.
"My mindset is just I hope that they can see me flourishing in this life and that it's who they are as authentic as strong people that inspired me to do the same and somehow it gets easier.
"But I miss them and I feel like me living here on an island, being who I am, finally finding myself and being secure in this, I hope that I am making my dad happy.
"I can't help but imagine him coming here, wanting to go fishing with (Philmar) and trying out surfing. And my mom, you know, staying here in Maison Bukana 'cause she's glamorous."
As she reflected on everything she has accomplished since leaving the entertainment industry, one thought continued to bring her to tears.
"I'm sad they never got to this point, that they never got to visit me here or see this life that I've built for myself, but I sure hope they're proud."
Despite the peace she has found in Siargao, Andi admitted there is one part of her happiness that will always feel incomplete. For her, the greatest loss is that the two people who knew her before anyone else never got the chance to see the woman she eventually became.
