Home Sweetie Home: Show must go on without Julie’s ‘sweetie’

Toni Gonzaga’s character Julie Matahimik-Valentino has decided to drop her adopted last name from her marriage with John Lloyd’s character, Romeo Valentino in the latest episode. (Photo: Home Sweetie Home/Facebook)

With John Lloyd Cruz’s indefinite leave from the showbiz industry, his character’s other half in the sitcom “Home Sweetie Home” finds resolve in living life without her ‘sweetie.’

Toni Gonzaga’s character Julie Matahimik-Valentino has decided to drop her adopted last name from her marriage with John Lloyd’s character, Romeo Valentino in the latest episode. Just in time for mother’s day, Julie embraces the thought of being a single mom.

The ongoing three-year-old weekly sitcom in the Kapamilya network has been continuing its airing of new episodes despite the actor’s absence ever since October last year. The romantic-comedy starring John Lloyd and Toni is supposed to be about their struggles as a married couple in the shoes of Romeo and Julie, served with a slice of comedy – but somehow for months, it has survived with writers filling up the holes.

One of Toni’s leading men, Piolo Pascual has joined the cast as a recurring character JP, Romeo’s cousin. He was then a guest star in an episode when he was promoting his movie with Toni, “Starting Over Again.”

Writers have come up with giving Romeo a work opportunity abroad to cover for the actor’s indefinite leave. After several episodes, production has leaned on to the implication of Romeo cheating on Julie, which prompted her to decide on a separation.

“Oo pinag-isipan ko na ‘di naman pwedeng patawad ako nang patawad, pa’no naman ako (Yes, I thought about it and came up that I should not just forgive and forgive, how about my feelings)?” Julie said while talking to JP.

The episode proceeded with showing Julie’s fears but firmness in her decision, letting the episode end with the narration, “Masaya pa rin ang buhay kahit mag-isa kasi dito sa aming home sweetie home, napapaligiran ako ng mga taong nagpapasaya sa akin araw-araw (Life is still happy even if I am alone in our home sweetie home, I am surrounded by people who make me happy every day).”

Julie was also portrayed to write “I’m alone but not lonely, kaya so long ex,” referring to Romeo.

Earlier in March, Toni told reporters that the show is “open” and that anything can happen, saying that John Lloyd is not really out of the story.

“Whatever Romeo has contributed to the show, will always remain in the show,” Toni said.

John Lloyd’s indefinite leave came after rumors sparked that his girlfriend Ellen Adarna is pregnant and that he is preparing to build a family with her. Ellen also played the role of Tanya in Home Sweetie Home, Romeo’s workmate who was the subject of Julie’s constant jealousy.