Being a stepdad is a tricky and difficult path but the rewards are fulfilling for both the father and his stepchild. Actress Meryll Soriano always has loving stories to share about her stepfather Papa Guchi, and we get to learn more about their relationship in this throwback video from TWBA.
Meryll remains very close to her biological father comedian-TV host Willie Revillame and she has the same relationship with her mom Becbec Soriano’s new family with Japanese national “Papa Guchi.”
Meryll even calls Papa Guchi her best-est friend since she grew up under his care. She recalled her childhood wherein her mom was busy working as a TV producer, so Papa Guchi was extra hands-on at home.
“Fluent siya mag-Tagalog! My mom and him, they’ve been together for 26 years now,” she started. Meryll then shared her fondest memories growing up with him, “He’s really my best-est friend. I grew up na siya talaga ‘yung nag-alaga sa akin. My mom was an Executive Producer sa Maricel Drama, so taping, kaya naiwan talaga ako kay Papa Guchi.”
She continued, “He would drive for me going to work. He would cook my food. He would prepare everything. He would train me swimming. If I want to do gymnastics, he would train me, gymnastics, anything.”
“If I can’t sleep, he would drive at night, we’d eat. Then, I’d say, ‘Papa Guchi, antok na ako,’ then we’d go home. I think he’s really my best-est friend.”
Meryll’s mom and Papa Guchi are now based in Japan and she would occasionally go there to spend time with them. “I’m very lucky kasi ang lapit lang ng Japan. We’d go there for vacations, kaming mag-Nanay, we’re there for Christmas.”