In what could be her final interview on television, Cieleto “Honeylet” Avancena, common-law wife of incoming President Rodrigo Duterte, said on Friday that she is still hoping to walk down the aisle with the Chief Executive soon.
“In the fullness of God’s time. Ako naman wala naman tayong problema,” said Avancena, when asked if she still wanted to get married to Duterte, during an exclusive interview on “TV Patrol” news program on ABS-CBN.
Asked why she loves Duterte, Honeylet said: “Mabuti naman s’yang tao. May sense of humor ‘yan at matalino. Pinaka-patriotic na magmahal sa kanyang tao at sa bansa n’ya. Wala ako pwedeng i-compare sa kanya.”
Duterte was previously married to former flight attendant Elizabeth Zimmerman. Their marriage was annulled. They have three kids Sara, Paolo and Sebastian.
Later, Duterte had a string of relationships. But the elected President decided to stay with Honeylet. They have a 12-year old daughter named Veronica.
“Pero hindi sya (Veronica) mag-aartista,” Honeylet said.
The former beauty queen from Valenzuela also said that this could be her last interview on TV because she feels uneasy with media. She added that she prefers a quiet life. “Itong interview na ito hanggang six years na,” Honeylet laughed.
“Ako on the sidelines lang ako. Gusto ko lang tahimik. I’m a nurse. Tapos nag-work din akosa US na overseas Filipino worker. If I can advocate, I will do that. Gusto ko nang walang bayad. Ayoko ma-involve sa government. It’s not my cup of tea,” she said.
Honeylet, 46, also said that she does not want to be called first lady.
“Taga-alaga ako ng Presidente. Ako ang mag-aasikaso sa Presidente. Tutal sya naman alam naman n’ya ang ginagawa nya,” she said.
When asked if she was the “secret weapon” of Duterte, Honeylet said in jest: “Kinukunan n’yo na ako paano na ako magiging secret ngayon?”
While she takes care of the President, Honeylet said that her priority is her daughter who will study in Davao City.
She also tends to her doughnut outlets and other businesses.
“May kaibigan ako sa Manila they have to wake up at 3 a.m. Sabi ko buhay ba ‘yan na gumigising ka ng 3 a.m.? Dito gigisingin ko sya ng mga 6:15 a.m. then 7:20 a.m. nasa school na s’ya,” Honeylet said.
When Duterte decided to run for President, Honeylet prayed her partner would finish his political stint safe and sound.
“IIsa lang ang dasal ko sa Kanya, sabi ko ‘Lord, papahiram namin sya sa mga Pilipino na buhay at malusog. Ibalik mo lang s’ya sa amin na buhay at malusog,’” she said,
Honeylet said that she will be attending the inaugural of Duterte in Malacañang on June 30.
She also appealed to the public to give Duterte a chance. “Hayaan n’yo na lang muna sya dahil mga huling araw na n’ya maging bugoy-bugoy.”
