Andi Eigenmann On Mom, Jaclyn Jose’s Passing, ‘Her Life Itself, Was Her Greatest Obra Maestra’

On the night of March 3, 2024, netizens were surprised to see social media posts announcing the passing of actress Jaclyn Jose. By midnight, her talent management, PPL Entertainment, Inc., issued a short statement confirming the news. Andi Eigenmann, Jaclyn’s daughter, also delivered a heartfelt statement via Facebook Live on the ANC Page alongside her brother, actor Gabby Eigenmann:

“It is with great sadness that I announce the untimely passing of my nanay, Mary Jane Guck, better known as Jaclyn Jose at the age of 60 on the morning of March 2, 2024 due to myocardial infarction or a heart attack. We’d like to thank everyone who has since extended their prayers and condolences to us.

“As our family is trying to come to terms with this unfortunate incident, please provide us the respect and privacy to grieve and we hope to put all speculations to rest. I’d just like to say, her undeniable legacy will definitely forever live on through her work, through her children, and the many lives she’s touched. As she herself, her life itself, was her greatest obra maestra.”

Jaclyn Jose as a mother and lola

Jaclyn had two children, Andrea Nicole, or Andi Eigenmann–her daughter with the late actor Mark Gil, and Gwen Garimond, her son with guitarist Kenneth Ilagan. Jaclyn was always proud of her two kids and how she single-handedly raised them. In a 2016 interview, she shared a glimpse of their life, saying, “Ang worst na kakainin nila, na ipit na ipit ako sa oras, canned goods. Pero madalang na madalang yan. Nagluluto talaga ako. I see to it na fresh ang niluluto.”

The 60-year-old actress also cherished her role as a grandmother to her first apo, Andi’s daughter with actor Jake Ejercito, Ellie. She said, “Bunso ko ‘yan…Mabait si Ellie…easy to get along with.”

Just like any lola, she admitted to spoiling Ellie, who was her only apo at the time. But she also knew how to discipline her too, “Sina-psychologize ko. Kung iiyak, hindi ko sinasabi, ‘Tama na,’ or whatever. No, I’ll do something for her not to cry. I’ll think of something. Kasi bata ‘yan eh.”

"Her undeniable legacy will definitely forever live on through her work, through her children, and the many lives she’s touched. As she herself, her life itself, was her greatest obra maestra.”--Andi Eigenmann

One thing she never considered was using corporal punishment, such as spanking. “No, hindi ko nagawa yan,” she said. “Not even with Andi and Gwen. Si Gwen, mabait. Pero hindi ako naniniwala sa palo. Kasi kung talagang maayos ang pagpapalaki mo, kausapin mo lang, maiintindihan niya. Ngayon, kung mag-disobey, choice niya yon. Hindi dahil hindi niya naiintindihan ang sinasabi ko.”

“Kasi kailangan, malaya,” she added. “Kahit bata, malaya. Hindi naman ‘yung she thinks she can get away with anything. You have to tell, ‘No, baby, you know why if you do this.’ You have to explain.”

In 2021, Jaclyn took to Instagram to express her pride in Andi. “Napaka-tapang mo, sana ako din,” Jaclyn wrote at the time, along with an old photo of herself with baby Andi.

“Ang ganda ng pagpapalaki mo sa mga bata,” she further said. “Sorry sa lahat ng pagkukulang ko. Anak, mahal na mahal kita, at support ko lahat ng ginagawa mo. Ingat lagi.”

At the time, Andi had relocated to Siargao Island with her family–her husband Philmar Alipayo, and their kids, Lilo, Koa, and of course, Ellie.

The actress more recently shared another gem that resonated with a lot of parents. During a media conference for one of her movies, she said, “Huwag nating gawing puhunan ang ating mga anak sa kabuhayan, sa kinabukasan. Hindi nila problema ang naging problema ng magulang.”

“It is the responsibility of the parents to take care of the children, not the other way around,” she added. “Kasi bata pa ang mga yan eh. Dapat yan inaaruga mo pa, inaalagaan mo pa, tinutulungan.”

In 2022, Jaclyn expressed her hope for her children to check in on her occasionally. "If it’s not too much to ask, I know they’re busy. They have their own lives. Andi has a family. My son is studying so hard. Pero gusto ko na sana lagi nila akong naaalala," she said.

She further expressed happiness for Andi’s choices, stating, “Masaya ako para kay Andi. Tama ang ginagawa niya kasi nagbubuo siya ng foundation. Siguro tama rin yung sa kanya na i-prioritize niya. Nakikita ko rin naman ang foundation na binubuo nila ni Philmar. Katulad niyan, nagbibiyahe. Kagagaling ng Bali [at] France... Kumbaga sa bahay, yung poste nila, malalim na. Hindi na matitibag."

At the time, she advised other single parents to find a life partner early on, saying, "Siguro before it’s too late, maghanap sila ng katuwang. Yung makakasama sa buhay hangga’t maaga pa. Kahit na may mga anak na sila, kung single parent ka, isipin mo, aalis at aalis ang mga ‘yan. Maiiwan kang mag-isa."

Undoubtedly, Jaclyn’s life has been filled with love, a legacy her children will surely carry forward. In one of Andi’s birthday greetings to her mother she emphasized, "We all may have different priorities and beliefs as parents raising our children, but the most important gift we can give to our children is to love, and love them with all our hearts. With that, you won't go wrong. And this I learned from YOU!"

"Maraming salamat sa walang sawang pagmamahal at pag alaga sa amin. Wala ako rito kung hindi dahil sa iyong pagmamahal at suporta. Mahal na mahal ka namin," Andi wrote.

Rest in peace, Jaclyn Jose.

Read here for a story on how a mom is coping with the loss of her own mother.