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Manila Bulletin devider Entertainment devider Celebrities devider Pokwang reflects on failed relationship

Pokwang reflects on failed relationship

Published Feb 19, 2024 11:32 pm

At A Glance

  • Pokwang, 53, revealed that her six-year-old daughter Malia is still unaware of the status of her relationship with Lee. She said that she would explain everything to Malia about Lee at the appropriate time.
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Pokwang (Images courtesyf of Instagram and GMA Network) 

Popular Kapuso comedienne Pokwang has gracefully moved on from a failed relationship with American actor Lee O'Brian. Despite the heartache, Pokwang has shown us that moving on and finding happiness again is possible.

"Medyo mahirap kasi iniisip ko yung anak namin. Pero wala pa naman sa tamang pag-iisip si Malia pero sasabihin ko rin ang lahat. Huwag nila akong pangunahan. Problemahin nila ang buhay nila, huwag yung buhay ko," said Pokwang, during an interview at the relaunch of The New Music Box powered by The Library on Timog in Quezon City recently. She was welcomed by owners Andrew De Real and Jerick Ganade at the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Pokwang, 53, revealed that her six-year-old daughter Malia is still unaware of the status of her relationship with Lee. She said that she would explain everything to Malia about Lee at the appropriate time.

On her learnings from a failed relationship, Pokwang said: "Mahalin mo muna ang sarili mo. Dapat huwag yung I will give my all. Magtipid ka rin para sa sarili mo para kung may mangyari man, hindi masakit." (Love yourself first. Don't give everything. Save for yourself so that if something happens, it won't hurt.)

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Pokwang, partner Lee O'Brian and their daughter Malia (Instagram)

Asked if she has a special someone these days, Pokwang said: "Wala akong special someone ngayon. 'All By Myself' ako uli. Pag may mga lumalapit sa akin at ipinapakita ko ang mga monthly amortization ko, bina-block nila ako."

Pokwang made a joke about her future partner who will be responsible for paying the monthly bills. "Dapat siya ang magbabayad. Alangan naman ako na naman uli. Joke lang yun."

When asked if she still prefers a foreigner as a partner, she said: "Kahit ano ang lahi o kulay, basta yung budhi maganda, walang problema." (No matter the race or color, as long as the conscience is good, there is no problem.)

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Pokwang (center) leads the relaunch of The New Music Box powered by The Library. Also at the ribbon-cutting ceremony are owners Andrew De Real (left) and Jerick Ganade.

On June 13, 2023, Pokwang filed a petition for the deportation of her former partner and the cancellation of his visa. In December, Lee was ordered deported by Philippine authorities for violating his work visa.

Going back to her roots

Pokwang's appearance at The New Music Box powered by The Library in Timog took her back to her roots and allowed her to reminisce. The crowd cheered when she performed "Flowers" by Miley Cyrus with some upcoming stand-up comedians. Before becoming a star on television and the silver screen, Pokwang was a stand-up comedy attraction for two years, starting in 2002.

"Si Chokolait, sumalangit nawa ang kanyang kaluluwa, dumadalaw siya rito noon. Nasa ibang comedy bar siya noon.Pumupunta siya rito at nagsasabunutan kami sa labas ng Music Box. Akala talaga ng mga tao nag-aaway kami," Pokwang recalled. "Humihinto talaga ang mga kotse noon at sinasaway kami. Hindi nila alam, acting lang namin yun noon."

(Chokolait, who has now passed away, used to visit this place frequently. He used to perform at another comedy bar. We would create a scene outside the Music Box, and people would think we were fighting. Cars used to stop, and they would reprimand us without knowing that we were acting.)

According to Pokwang, she attributes her success as a comedienne to the comedy bar. "Hindi puwedeng mawala yun kung nasaan man ako ngayon. Sa bawa't interview ko, sinasabi ko naman na sa Music Box talaga ako nagsimula. Napakaswerte ko na inaalagaan ako ng Music Box. (In every interview I do, I tell them I started at Music Box. I am so lucky with the Music Box.)

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"Akala nila noon bakla ako. Ang ganda raw ng legs ko. Noong nalaman nila na may anak ako, they give me tips," she added.

(They thought I was gay. They said my legs were beautiful. When they learned I had a child, they gave me tips.)

Fresh from the success of her Metro Manila Film Festival movie "Becky and Badette" with Eugene Domingo, Pokwang expressed her happiness about reopening comedy bars in the city, adding that she misses being a stand-up comedian. She also shared tips for becoming a successful stand-up comedian.

"Mahalin nila ang trabaho nila at makisama ng maayos. Huwag kayong pasaway kasi noon may mga pasaway kaming kasama. Kapag nakilala na sila, lumalaki na ang ulo," said Pokwang, who is also seen in the comedy series "Jose and Maria's Bonggang Villa 2.0" on GMA Network. (People should love their work and treat others kindly. Don't become stubborn or arrogant with fame.)

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