Angelu De Leon on Single Parenting: ‘I Was Once a Solo Parent, Mahirap’

“I was once a solo parent. Mahirap,” Pasig Councilor and former actress Angelu De Leon shared in a Facebook post.

Her post resonated with many solo parents, whose struggles often remain hidden from public view. For a public figure to openly share the quiet, personal challenges of solo parenting is more than simply telling her story—it offers encouragement to parents going through the same journey.

Angelu detailed her experience as a single parent before tying the knot with her husband in 2010. What makes her story even more inspiring is seeing the rewards of those years of hard work and sacrifice today.

“Todo kayod para maibigay ang needs ng mga anak ko. Pero ngayon, seeing my girls become professionals at mabubuting tao, nakakaiyak sa saya at pasasalamat. Thank God for bringing us this far,” she started.

In a 2018 Smart Parenting article, Angelu shared that her two daughters always knew they had different fathers. “With all my kids, I was honest with their situation. ‘Di ko inisip na naging factor yung age nila nung kinukuwento ko sa kanila yung sitwasyon ko. They knew they had different fathers. They knew I was a single mom — they knew everything.”

She also reflected on solo parenting in the 2018 interview, “You know, looking back, grabe, it’s by the grace of God. It’s hard to be a single parent.”

Angelu is a mother of three: Nicole, whose father is actor Joko Diaz; Louise, whose father is businessman Jojo Manlongat; and Rafa, her son with husband Lorenzo “Wowie” Rivera.

“Noong mga bata pa sila, I never asked for support from their dads. Ayow ko mag-impose. Call it pride, but for me, ayaw ko ng conflict at stress. Kung magbibigay, salamat. May kusa dapat. Ayaw ko rin na dahil may ambag sila, magkakaroon sila ng say sa kung saan mag-aaral ang mga anak ko o kung ano ang dapat gawin. Alam kong mauuwi lang iyon sa pagtatalo, at ayaw kong mga bata ang ma-stress dahil sa amin,” Angelu continued in her Facebook post.

It’s easy to read Angelu’s words and move on, but for many single parents, each line can tug at the heart. They know the struggle of figuring out sustento, navigating the many challenges of solo parenting, and, at the same time, healing from their own wounds.

“I chose to work hard and provide for them in the best way I could. Hindi naging madali, pero kinaya. Ngayon na malalaki na sila, malaya na silang magkaroon ng relationship with their dads. Hindi na ako nakikialam. Respeto ko iyon bilang desisyon nila at bilang bahagi ng buhay nila. At bilang isang nanay, sapat na sa akin na makita silang masaya, Maka-diyos, mabubuting tao, independent, at successful,” she ended.

Angelu’s single parenting journey is an inspiration to parents who are currently in the trenches of it. Her experience shows that while the journey may not be easy, years of hard work and sacrifice can lead to moments of joy and gratitude. For single parents still navigating the difficult days, her story offers a helpful reminder: “There’s a light at the end of the tunnel.” 

How a single mom knew she was no longer bitter.