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Manila Bulletin devider Entertainment devider Celebrities devider Jeric Raval shares hard-earned lesson after raising 18 children with seven women

Jeric Raval shares hard-earned lesson after raising 18 children with seven women

Published Jul 29, 2026 10:22 am

Jeric Raval may have built a career playing tough guys on screen, but the veteran action star said his real-life role as father to 18 children proved to be his most challenging, if at times, funniest, performance.

Appearing on Susan Enriquez's "Kay Susan Tayo!" vlog, Raval looked back on the unconventional family life he built over the years, describing it as something that would make for a comedy film rather than an action movie.

"Kung isasa-pelikula mo buhay ko, comedy," he said, recalling how he had to rush from one hospital to another when two of his partners were giving birth around the same time. One was in Quezon City while the other was in Pampanga, forcing him to travel back and forth in what he now laughs off as one of the most chaotic periods of his life.

Despite finding humor in those memories, Raval made it clear he is not proud of the circumstances and does not encourage anyone to follow in his footsteps.

"Huwag niyo akong gagayahin ha. Mahirap ang time management," he said.

The actor has 18 children with seven women, including former actress Monica Herrera. He admitted that the number of his children grew partly because he kept hoping for a son after initially having mostly daughters.

"Ang istorya niyan, kung ba't dumami 'yan nang dumami, kahihintay kong may lumabas na lalaki. Puro babae, babae, babae."

He eventually had six sons, joking that once they arrived, he finally stopped.

Raval also acknowledged the financial burden of raising such a large family, especially after the local movie industry slowed down.

He said he survived by taking on different jobs outside acting, including buying and selling cars, building and selling houses, accepting construction contracts, and even performing in bars in Japan despite admitting he was not much of a singer.

Looking back, Raval expressed gratitude to the mothers of his children for working with him through the unusual family setup.

"Mababait sa akin 'yung mga magulang. Kung hindi mabait 'yun, matagal na akong patay."

Rather than glorifying his experience, the actor said it demanded constant sacrifice, resourcefulness, and relentless work, lessons he hopes others will learn without having to repeat his journey.

Related Tags

Jeric Raval Jeric Raval children Jeric Raval 18 children Jeric Raval family Jeric Raval interview Susan Enriquez Kay Susan Tayo Monica Herrera
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