Christopher de Leon refuses to take sides as siblings Lotlot and Ian feud over Nora’s legacy

The veteran actor chooses restraint over drama, hoping his children reconcile privately after a painful dispute.

Veteran actor Christopher de Leon is choosing restraint over taking sides as tensions continue between his children Lotlot de Leon and Ian de Leon over matters connected to the legacy of their late mother, National Artist Nora Aunor.

For Christopher, however, the deeper concern is no longer the dispute itself but the strain it has placed on a family relationship he remembers as once being close.

“’Yan ang pinagtataka ko nga eh. Doon ako nagugulat, [kung] bakit biglang nag-iba ang ihip ng hangin after the death of their mother,” he said.

Rather than publicly involving himself in the disagreement, Christopher said he has spoken to Lotlot and Ian separately. He believes the matter is ultimately something the siblings need to work through themselves, particularly because it involves their mother.

“Nakausap ko na silang dalawa [nang] hiwalay… not the same day. At ayaw kong makialam because ang pinag-aawayan nila is the mom, the mother,” he explained.

The actor’s position, however, does not mean he has given up on the possibility of reconciliation. In fact, he remains hopeful that the family will eventually overcome the conflict and restore their relationship.

“Definitely, one day, magkakaayos ’yan. Hindi naman pwedeng hindi, at hindi ko rin naman papayagan na hindi magkaayos,” Christopher said.

He added that he is hoping the reconciliation will happen “by the grace of God,” acknowledging that emotions surrounding the issue remain high.

The disagreement centers, in part, on a one-person corporation established by Ian in connection with Nora’s legacy. Ian had said that his siblings Lotlot, Matet, Kenneth and Kiko were informed about it. Lotlot disputed that account and also rejected suggestions that she and her siblings were pursuing their late mother’s estate.

Christopher has deliberately avoided publicly dissecting those details, particularly when issues involving family, finances and inheritance could further complicate an already sensitive situation.

For him, anything that needs to be said to his children can be discussed privately.

The actor recalled taking a similar approach during Nora’s wake and burial, when he chose to remain present without inserting himself into decisions involving the family.

Still, Christopher said he has not simply stepped away from his children. He continues communicating with them and has been quietly making efforts to ease the tension.

“Hindi ako sumuko. Hanggang ngayon kausap ko pa rin [sila]. Mayroon nga akong ginagawang mga hakbang para mag-ease up,” he shared.

Despite the disagreement becoming a public issue, Christopher said he remains confident that his children can eventually settle their differences.

“Nagulat talaga ako but I am not worried. It will happen naman eh. Hopefully, maayos, the sooner, the better,” he said.

Beyond the current conflict, Christopher also spoke about his relationship with his adopted children, emphasizing that their bond has never been defined by biology or surnames.

“They call me ‘Dad.’ Ang sarap pakinggan,” he said. “Pagmamahal ’yan eh. Minamahal nila ako.”

For now, Christopher continues to keep his distance from choosing sides while maintaining communication with his children. More than resolving the issues surrounding Nora’s legacy, his hope is that Lotlot, Ian and their siblings will eventually find their way back to each other as a family.

As he put it, “Definitely, one day, magkakaayos ’yan.”

READ: