Manila, Philippines — After years of silence, acclaimed actor and filmmaker Cesar Montano has finally spoken out about one of the most talked-about and painful breakups in Philippine showbiz — his separation from actress Sunshine Cruz.

The once-envied love story between Cesar and Sunshine ended more than a decade ago in the glare of cameras and controversy. While Sunshine was vocal about the pain and betrayal she endured, Cesar remained unusually quiet — until now.

“There were many things I could have said,” he shared in a deeply emotional interview. “But I chose silence. Not because I didn’t care… but because I respected her.”

The Love Story That Turned into Scandal

Cesar Montano and Sunshine Cruz were once among the most admired couples in Philippine entertainment. Their wedding in 2000 was grand, and they were blessed with three beautiful daughters.

But as the years passed, cracks in their marriage began to show. Rumors of infidelity, emotional distance, and miscommunication started circulating, eventually leading to a very public and painful breakup in 2013.

Sunshine went public with her side of the story, sharing the emotional abuse, betrayal, and heartbreak she experienced — while Cesar said almost nothing.

This silence led many to believe he had nothing to defend — or worse, that he didn’t care.

Why Cesar Stayed Silent — “I Didn’t Want to Hurt Her More”

Now, in a moment of unexpected vulnerability, Cesar has revealed why he chose not to speak up all those years.

“The easiest thing to do was to fight back. But the truth is — when two people break up, especially with children involved, it’s no longer about who wins the argument,” he said.

“It’s about who’s strong enough to walk away without adding more wounds.”

He admitted he made many mistakes, but said he never wanted to paint Sunshine in a bad light, especially as the mother of his children.

“Whatever happened between us, she is the mother of my daughters. And I never wanted them to see me destroy that image.”

Cesar on Regret, Growth, and Fatherhood

Cesar acknowledged that their separation was one of the darkest periods of his life, but it was also the time he began to reflect and rebuild himself.

“I had to face who I had become. And I didn’t always like what I saw,” he said.

He spoke lovingly of his daughters, saying they became his compass after the breakup.

“They are my redemption. My second chance to be a better man. That’s why I stayed silent. I wanted to focus on them, not on clearing my name.”

His Message to Sunshine: “Thank You for Everything”

When asked what he would say to Sunshine now, Cesar paused — then answered quietly:

“Thank you. For loving me once. For being a great mother. For enduring what I failed to understand back then. I will always wish you happiness.”

He added that time has healed many of the wounds between them and that they are now co-parenting peacefully for the sake of their children.

“We may no longer be together, but we’re still a family in many ways.”

Public Reaction: From Judgment to Understanding

Cesar’s long-awaited honesty has drawn emotional responses online:

“He stayed silent all this time to protect her. That’s rare.”
“Now I understand him better. This is a man who has learned from pain.”
“Sunshine spoke her truth, and now Cesar has spoken his. Both sides deserve to be heard.”

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Many are now calling the moment a mature closure to a painful chapter, with fans praising both Cesar and Sunshine for choosing peace over bitterness.

Conclusion: A Silent Man Finally Heard

For years, Cesar Montano’s silence was misunderstood as apathy. But now, his words reveal that his silence was not empty — it was heavy with love, guilt, regret, and respect.

In a world where shouting the loudest often wins, Cesar chose to walk quietly — carrying the weight of a broken marriage on his back, never defending himself, never blaming.

And now that he has finally spoken, the message is clear:

“Sometimes, the loudest love… is the one that chooses not to speak

Sunshine Cruz says reconciliation with Cesar Montano completed ‘lacking piece’ in their daughters’ hearts

Sunshine Cruz opened up about her reconciliation with ex-husband Cesar Montano.

In an interview with Boy Abunda, the actress remarked that their reconciliation completed the missing piece in their children’s lives.

“I’m very happy because I see how my children’s eyes shine, and they themselves say that the piece that was missing in their hearts [is] being reborn,” she said.

She also relayed that she even gave advice to Cesar when it comes to his current relationship. “I told Cesar, ‘Be nice to Kath (Angeles, Cesar’s current partner) — she’s so beautiful, so kind. You’re so lucky,’” she stated.

“‘Behave because he won’t fight us all.’” In the same interview, Sunshine opened up about her past as a sexy star. She revealed that it was one of the reasons behind her split from Cesar.

“There was a time when I regretted it, especially since it was a big part of my separation from my ex-husband,” she relayed.

“But at the end of the day, I became stronger, I learned more and what I did was prove to people that I’m not just a sexy star or a bold star—I can also be a singer, I can be an actress and most especially, I am a good mom,” she said.Sunshine and Cesar got married in 2013. They have three children Angelina, Samantha, and Angel Francesca. Their marriage was annulled in 2018.

Back in September 2022, Sunshine penned a message on social media thanking those who expressed support for her modern family set-up with Cesar. “Thank you for the wonderful comments. I’ve read it and it’s nice to see that you guys appreciate our (blended) family. The kids are especially happy and their happiness is my happiness,” she said in a Facebook post.

The actress remarked that it was high time for them to move forward from the past.

“The time has come for us to forget the past, move forward and to have a better relationship. We are family after all. I said, ‘in God’s perfect time’. I prayed and I believed that this will eventually happen and it was given to me and my family,” she stated.