Actor Alden Richards shared that he felt like he lost a mother after the death of screen veteran Jaclyn Jose.

“I lost someone special,” Richards said in an interview at the wake of Jose in Quezon City.

“Ang hirap. Para kong nanay iyan eh. (It is difficult. She was like my real mom). My heart aches like a son, because that was really how I felt. It was the same feeling I felt when I lost my real mom,” he added.

According to Richards, Jose treated him like he was her own child.

“I invited her sa premiere night of ‘Family of Two.’ She texted me, she was very happy with my performance and nakakatawa sabi noon ‘huwag mo kalimutan anak. Ako pa rin original [na nanay mo,]” he said.

(I invited her to the premiere night of ‘Family of Two.’ She texted me, saying she was very happy with my performance and amusingly added, ‘Don’t forget, my child— I’m still your original mother.)

The actor revealed he refused to believe the news that Jose had passed.

“I was scrolling through social media, I saw photos and posts from unofficial accounts about Tita Jane’s passing. I did not believe it. I stopped because there was a side of me afraid to confirm. But before I went to bed I got a text she passed. I didn’t reply. I was in denial,” he recalled.

He went on: “The next morning I attended an early morning event. That moment, I looked at my phone— That was when it dawned. That’s when it got me really hard. I called Kuya Gab. I told him how can I help you. ‘Nanay ko rin yun eh.’ ‘Yun pinakamasakit.”

It was Richards’ second time to condole with the bereaved family.

“Immediately I went here noong inaayos pa lang wake. Hindi ako umalis hanggang di ko nakita urn. That was a good three hours, I was not sure if I am going to make it another night. But God willing, I was able to say my piece tonight,” he said.

(I went here immediately while the wake was still being arranged. I didn’t leave until I saw the urn. That was a good three hours; I wasn’t sure if I would make it for another night. But God willing, I was able to express myself tonight.)

Richards emphasized Jose influenced him to push his limits as an artist.

“Tinuruan niya ko mag pasensya, maging hardworker. Isa siya sa rason kung bakit ko pinagbutihan ang pag-arte ko sa industriya. She is an inspiration,” he explained.