“Yes, we are separated,” de las Alas said, speaking candidly about the end of her 7-year marriage to the 31-year-old Sibayan.
One of the primary factors contributing to their separation, she revealed, was her inability to give Sibayan a child. “On October 14, he messaged me early in the morning, saying he wanted to have a child and that he wasn’t happy anymore,” de las Alas shared. “I was shocked and confused, especially since I wasn’t expecting this at all, particularly at this moment. I wish he had waited until I was back in the US.”
The actress, who married Sibayan in 2017, reflected on how she had always been prepared for the possibility of this situation, given their age difference. "When I married Gerald, I knew he was young, and there might be a time when he would want something different,” she explained. “But I prayed it wouldn’t happen, that God would bless us with a long-lasting marriage. I thought it would come when he was around 35, not so soon.”
De las Alas admitted that she was disappointed because Sibayan had known from the beginning that having a biological child was unlikely due to her age. However, she emphasized that they had made an effort to have a child through in vitro fertilization (IVF). "We tried, and we produced three embryos. We named them Gail, Grain, and Gold. We still have one embryo left," she shared. She also revealed that she had planned to surprise her husband with the use of their remaining embryo, but quickly realized he wasn’t a fan of surprises.
Despite the heartbreak, de las Alas said she had decided not to continue fighting for the relationship in order to preserve her dignity and sense of self-worth.
The comedienne also addressed rumors surrounding their relationship, including claims that she had threatened to withdraw her petition for Sibayan’s legal status in the United States. The couple had been living in the US, with de las Alas often traveling back and forth for her showbiz commitments. "I wouldn’t do that," she clarified. "He is still my husband, and helping him with his green card application is my way of supporting him. When you're angry, you might say things you don't mean, but now, I can honestly say I wouldn't take that back. We have a prenuptial agreement, and that’s where we stand."
Looking ahead, de las Alas offered a heartfelt message to her estranged husband: "Gerald, I hope you find the happiness you’ve been searching for. I hope you have a healthy child, and I wish you nothing but the best. In fairness, you were a good husband during the 10 years we were together. Maybe this is just how life goes, but I genuinely wish you well.”
The couple, who started dating in 2014, had been married for seven years before announcing their separation.