Legacy or Liability? Sandy Andolong’s Bold Move on Christopher de Leon’s Inheritance from Nora Aunor

In the five decades that he’s been in the entertainment industry, Christopher de Leon has probably played over a hundred of characters, both in film and television. From being a matinee idol in his younger years, he has gone on to become one of the most dependable actors to portray husband and father roles, such as in the current teleserye that he stars in, FPJ’s Batang Quiapo.

While we probably have mixed feelings towards his character Ramon Montenegro since he’s been an absentee father to his biological son Tanggol (Coco Martin) and a loving yet possessive husband to his late spouse Mokang (Lovi Poe), the veteran actor is totally different in real life because he’s an incredibly responsible, doting, and awesome partner and dad to his beloved family.

And in this feature, we’re going to focus on the blissful life that he shares with his ultimate partner Sandy and their five cherished offspring, Rafael, Miguel, Gabriel, Mariel, and Mica.

Despite being two of the most illustrious veteran actors in the local entertainment scene, Christopher and Sandy are able to keep their personal lives, especially their kids, away from the limelight. None of them are apparently keen on joining their famous parents in showbiz, except for Mariel, who joined Binibining Pilipinas in 2013 and later became the Philippines’ representative to the Miss International pageant in 2017. She even became the leading lady of Coco Martin in the 2017 Metro Manila Film Festival entry “Ang Panday.”

We may not know much about their other kids since all of them are living private lives in different parts of the world, but what we’re certain of is the amount of love that they have for their beloved parents. And we’re able to witness that during their appearance in ABS-CBN Entertainment’s online talk show “Love Thy Chika,” which was hosted by the veteran actor’s Love Thy Woman co-star, Ruffa Gutierrez, in 2020.

They might be far away from each other – with Rafael living and working in New Zealand with his own family; Miguel being based in San Francisco, California with his own family as well; Mariel and Gabriel both based in New York; and Mica keeping her mom and dad company here in the Philippines – yet they’re still able to maintain their tight bond by constantly checking on and talking to one another.

And on March 27, 2024, the couple even marked their 44th year of being together since 1980. They got married in 2001 and renewed their vows 18 years later in Halong Bay, Vietnam, in 2019.

Go through some of the lovely snaps of the Andolong-De Leon family through the years in this gallery!

Sandy Andolong on her relationship with Nora Aunor, her stepchildren
Sandy Andolong said she has a civil relationship with Nora Aunor, the ex-wife of her husband Christopher de Leon.

On Tuesday’s episode of “Fast Talk With Boy Abunda,” Sandy said she and Nora have not seen each other in a long time, but they are OK whenever they meet.

The King of Talk then asked if they ever share conversations.

“Not really. It’s more of, ‘Hi. Hello,’ ganun. Konti lang,” she said.

As for Nora’s children with Christopher, Sandy said she already loves them.

The veteran actress then recalled an exchange between her and Lotlot de Leon, one of Christopher and Nora’s adopted children.

“Alam ko naman and I understand how you feel but I need you to know your mother is your mother and I can never replace her but I can good friend to you,” she told Lotlot.

“Sabi ko, ‘Hindi ko inaagaw ang daddy mo sa inyo, don’t ever think that,’” she added.

Christopher and Nora got married in 1975 and got an annulment in 1996. Christopher married Sandy in 2001.

Sandy and Christopher have five children together: Rafael, Miguel, Gabriel, Mariel, and Mica. Mariel won Binibining Pilipinas International 2017 and competed in the Miss International pageant that year.