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Wowie de Guzman: A young widower's tale

The ex-matinee idol resumes showbiz career to raise daughter after wife's passing

Wowie De Guzman with Alexandra Rafealle or baby Raffy, his two-month-old daughter with his late wife, Sheryl. (Photo from Manila Bulletin/Pinggot Zulueta)


Perhaps no one will ever be ready for a loved one’s death. This is especially true for Wowie de Guzman, who lost his wife early this year for a still unknown cause.

The 37-year-old actor married Sherryl Anne Reyes in July last year. His 26-year-old wife gave birth to their daughter,  Alexandra Rafealle, last March 27. Sherryl Anne died a month later.

Moving on

On April 26, Sherryl went to bed early feeling sick,supposedly due to arthritis. Wowie later saw his wife choking in bed, her eyes dilating. The doctors tried to revive her for three hours.

The ‘90s matinee idol is moving on, but says he still longs for his wife especially when he sees happy couples.

"Hindi pa healed na healed. I guess I could say nakatayo na ko ng 80%, pero I’m still longing for my wife. Sabi ko nga ang dami naming plano e,” he tells Yahoo Philippines at the press conference of his comeback TV project, GMA series “Yagit.”

He adds, "Minsan kapag nakikita ko si Yasmien (Kurdi) kasama ‘yung husband niya, bigla kang ma-wawarp na, ‘Sana ganun din kami. Nandidito lang. Kasama ko ngayon sa mga presscon. So hindi pa rin maaalis sa isip ko.”

Back to work

Wowie concedes the incident took away his drive to work. But his latest showbiz project seems to be a calling he can no longer refuse.

"Sa totoo lang ang laking tulong ng “Yagit" sa’kin. Before ako pumasok dito ang dami nang kumukuha sa’kin. But at that time, hindi pa ko 100% sure sa sarili ko na magrtrabaho. But then itong "Yagit" napaka-persistent na tumawag nang tumawag.”

Wowie shares that his 7-month-old daughter inspires him to work, and he’s happy doing the afternoon series has become his therapy.

"Noong first day ko, Yung character ko dito ibang klase. Tapos syempre hindi naman ganun kadali na bumitaw sa nangyari sa wife ko, di ba? Nagkakaroon ako ng hard time na dumetach sa pagiging Jeffrey ko na ipasok dun sa character. But then along the way naging therapy yung nakikipag-usap ka rin sa tao.”

For now, Wowie isn't entertaining thoughts of entering another relationship and prefers to take care of his daughter first.