TV host-actress Carmina Villaroel has finally broken her silence on her family’s tragic loss in the aftermath of typhoon Ondoy.
 
In a taped interview aired on “Showbiz News Ngayon” on Oct. 15, Carmina revealed that she, along with her husband Zoren Legaspi and their children, twins Cassy and Mavy, now live in a condominium unit because they lost their house in Maybunga, Pasig, due to the calamity.
 
Trying to put a brave front, Carmina said, “Kahit na sabihin mong literal na may bahay pa kami, hindi kami nakatira doon. So I feel for those na nawalan ng bahay.”
 
More than her ravaged house, however, Carmina said she is worried about her helpers who are tending their house, or at least what remains of it.
 
“Ang iniisip ko lang talaga, ang mga kasambahay na naiwan doon sa bahay. Kahit sabihin mong may pagkain, may tubig…it’s the smell, it’s the place----‘yon yong situation, doon ako naawa.
 
“Kasi ako, I’m thankful that I’m dry, okay ako, okay ang tinutulugan ko. [Pero] paano sila doon?” she said, teary-eyed.
 
Fortunately, Cassy and Mavy know how to boost their mom’s morale.  
 
“Sabi nila (Mavy and Cassy), ‘Mommy, don’t be sad. What’s important is we’re all together, we’re safe.’”
 
Although still affected by what happened, Carmina said she’s far from being overly depressed.
 
“Ang akala ng mga tao, talagang depressed na depressed ako. No, naman, we [just] had… a difficult time.
 
“Siyempre, parang lumikas kami sa bahay namin. We didn’t know where to go. But we have friends who are very, very supportive. Parang I just got used to the situation.”