Unlike in the past, Albert Martinez and his children spent Christmas this year differently. You know why. His wife Liezl is gone.
“During past Christmases,” Albert told Funfare, “it was Liezl who fixed the house and prepared the dinner. Parang spectator lang ako, parang guest lang ako. Now, it’s all me and the kids. We celebrated with our house staff. We missed Liezl’s touch.”
For the past few years, Albert recalled that he and Liezl, together with their children (Alyanna, 30; Alfonso, 29; and Alyssa, 23), would spend noche buena at the house of Tonyboy Cojuangco and Gretchen Barretto. Same thing this year except that Albert didn’t stay long and went right home after dinner that followed the midnight Mass.
“Usually,” added Albert, “from the Cojuangcos we would drop by the homes of my family (the Martinezes) and then Liezl’s family (the Muhlachs) and go home early in the morning. Not this time because I missed Liezl terribly. The feeling was not the same.”
Neither was Albert in the mood to buy gifts for his children.
“I just gave them cash so they buy whatever they wanted.”
Liezl’s absence was felt even more intensely when Albert heard Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas on the radio, Liezl’s favorite Christmas song.
“That song made me cry,” admitted Albert, “especially the line…through the years we all will be together, if the fates allow…That line is so touching, di ba? We really don’t have control over what the fates have in store for us. That reminded me not just of Liezl but also my mom (who also succumbed to cancer). How sad! But we did feel Liezl’s presence. We knew that Liezl was with us.”
It was Albert’s first Christmas without Liezl (who lost her battle with cancer last March 14) and his last Christmas with Alyanna as a single girl. Alyanna is getting married to her boyfriend, banker/fashion photographer Roy Macam, next year. The sweethearts began going steady after they met (and matched) at work. Roy proposed to Alyanna recently.
“He did it during their trip to Mt. Everest,” said Albert who first met his future son-in-law in 2007. “Not at the peak but at the base. I saw the video of his proposal. Roy surprised Alyanna who didn’t have any idea. Lumuhod si Roy and offered Alyanna an engagement ring, saying, ‘Will you marry me?’ Alyanna screamed, ‘YES!!!!’ So,” Albert added with a laugh, “wala nang atrasan, hindi ko na mababawi ang anak ko.”
The sweethearts want to get married in Rome and Albert advised them to have it after July because his contract with ABS-CBN (for the teleseryes FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano and All Of Me) is expiring around that time. Both are on extended run.
Teased that his two other children might beat him to the altar, Albert conceded, “To be honest, I’m not even thinking of that; it doesn’t cross my mind. Walang makaka-match kay Liezl. Mahirap makakita ng katulad ni Liezl; mahirap to fill her shoes.”
Albert described 2015 as a bittersweet year.
“The first six months were the saddest in my life,” was how Albert summed it up. “And the next six months were the most successful, with two high-rating shows.”
Turning 55 in April next year, Albert has learned how to adjust to the times.
“When I turned 50,” said Albert, “I told ABS-CBN management that I was ready to do much older roles.”
He doesn’t look his age, does he?
“Kasi hindi ko inaabuso ang katawan ko,” shared Albert. “It was Liezl who took good care of me. I eat healthy; I drink lots of water. I owe my nice complexion to The Belo Medical Group. I work out. I get as much sleep as I can despite my tight schedule. I shoot for Probinsyano M-W-F and All Of Me T-TH-S.”
So with that kind of schedule, how would he spend New Year’s Eve (tomorrow)?
“I will be shooting for Probinsyano on Dec. 30 (today), would you believe? Out of town as usual. We will be back in Manila by tomorrow. Maybe, traditionally, we might spend media noche with the Cojuangcos again.”
So they are close to the Cojuangcos.
“Yes, years already. Actually, it was Liezl who was close to Gretchen. Then, I became close to Tonyboy, until we became traveling partners.”
After Liezl’s first death anniversary (babang-luksa), Albert and the children will have to decide what to do with Liezl’s personal things which have remained intact, untouched.
“After their wedding,” revealed Albert, “Alyanna and Roy will settle down in the States. Alyanna has an offer from a fashion magazine. Then, I plan to have our house remodeled.”
(E-mail reactions at entphilstar@yahoo.com. You may also send your questions to askrickylo@gmail.com. For more updates, photos and videos visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on www.twitter/therealrickylo.)