Lotlot de Leon, 35, and Ramon Christopher Gutierrez, 37, were married when she was 16, and he, 18. Both came from what is known in these parts as "broken homes." Lotlot is the eldest adopted daughter of separated couple Nora Aunor and Christopher de Leon. Monching is the son of one-time partners Pilita Corrales and Eddie Gutierrez.
In an interview with Yes! magazine (September issue, 2001), Lotlot who was then 29, shared her thoughts on family life.
"I always wanted to have a family. I don't mean naman na hindi ko na-enjoy ang family ko, it's just that my mom [Nora] was not there that time we were growing up. It was other people who looked after us. I promised to myself na 'pag nagka-pamilya ako, ako mismo ang magsisilbi sa kanila.
"Kasi noon, 'di man lang ako napapaliguan ni Mommy, laging yaya lang, pero ngayon, ako mismo ang nag-aayos sa needs ng asawa't mga anak ko. My mom wanted to be a mother, she tried, but since she's the breadwinner... she didn't have time and she was always working. Sa mga pagkakamali at mga kabutihan ni Mommy, I learned."
"Priority ko ang mga anak ko. Whatever pain I felt when I was a kid, ayokong maranasan ito ng mga anak ko. Lahat ginagawa namin ni Monching to provide them with their needs. Pero we're both trying to work out a way for the kids to understand that mahirap sundin lahat ng layaw nila."
Unfortunately, three years after this house shoot for Yes! magazine, Lotlot was seen on TV singing a different tune—she announced that she and Monching had called it quits. Early this year, the two filed a petition to declare their marriage null and void.
Visit our Gallery to view the Lotlot-Monching haven when the kids were growing up and the couple were still together.