Ever since she kicked off her career in the local entertainment industry 21 years ago, Cherry Pie Picache has been known for her notable and top-caliber performances in every television series and movies she got cast in. Thus, there’s no wonder why she has become one of the most illustrious stars through the years because of the innumerable accolades and recognitions she received from various award-giving bodies for her touching portrayals, usually as a mother.
But unbeknownst to us, she’s also an award-winning mom in real life to her unico hijo Jose Antonio Picache Tria, or also known by his nickname Nio, whom she raised singlehandedly, but still allowed the presence of her ex-partner Gary Tria in their son’s life.
In her interview with Magandang Buhay last year, she confessed that her life turned 180 degrees when she gave birth to her son on April 28, 2002.
“No’ng dumating siya nagbago ang lahat. Ang pinakatinigil ko, natatandaan ko no’ng nanganak ako, siyempre mahilig ka sa designer bags, ‘yong mga gano’n. Kaso no’ng nanganak na ako sabi ko, ‘hindi na pwede, kailangan ko nang mag-ipon’. Siguro for four years, hindi ako bumili ng branded na bag,” she disclosed.
Then she added, “Ang pinakaimportante, lahat ngayon ng ginagawa ko, I always consider na kailangan walang masasabi ang tao kasi ang point lang no’n, ‘pag may ginawa ako, ang unang makakarinig ang anak ko. Paano ko matuturuan ng mabuti ang anak ko kung may gagawin akong hindi maganda.”
Despite her busy schedule due to the strings of projects she did through the years, the 48-year-old veteran actress apparently seem to make sure to still have time for Nio as he grew up as an intelligent, well-behaved, and competitive young man who doesn’t only excel scholastically, but in the field of sports as well.
Ever since he was still in primary school, he has been an achiever at his alma mater Ateneo de Manila University. As a matter of fact, he graduated in junior high school with flying colors as he was conferred one of the academic silver medals and the Gawad San Juan de Brebeuf sa Katangi-tanging Manlalaro last March.
Furthermore, the 16-year-old athlete makes his extra mom prouder with his athletic stints as an International Tennis Federation champion because of the trophies and medals he rakes in in every competition he joined. As of December 10, 2018, he placed 575th among the thousands of tennis players included in the list of the organizations’ junior rankings for boys.
He already earned 85.50 points from the 26 tournaments he competed in in-and-outside the country, just like his recent win in the Men’s Doubles of the Philippine Columbian Association (PCA) Open tennis championships alongside his partner Francis Alcantara.
Both of them might be busy with their respective endeavors, but the Wansapanataym Presents: Switch Be With You star spends most of her leisure time bonding with his “one and only love” whenever he’s here in the country or he’s not training.