Papa Jack: Letting go is the greatest heartache

In a soul-stirring sit-down with Toni Gonzaga on her talk show Toni Talks, veteran radio personality Papa Jack — whose voice has long been a fixture in late-night Filipino radio — offered listeners a rare behind-the-scenes look into the emotional world of love advice, heartbreaks and healing.

When Toni asked him the most common kind of pain his listeners bring to him night after night, Papa Jack didn’t hesitate.

“Letting go, ma’am. Moving on talaga (really),” he replied with solemnity.

For years, Papa Jack served as the comforting voice behind the mic for countless Filipinos nursing the wounds of love. Through his program, callers would share deeply personal stories — pleas for advice, for clarity, or simply to be heard. And while the faces and names have changed through time, Papa Jack reveals that one thing remains the same: the ache of letting go.

“Sa ilang daang taong nakausap ko dito sa Dear Tita Kim, talagang ‘letting go’ ang pinakamadalas tinatanong sa akin (In the many years that I have been consulted here in Dear Tita Kim, it is really ‘letting go’ that I am asked about),” he shared.

The radio veteran outlined the common threads that make moving on such a universal struggle:

The depth of emotional investment. From giving love, time, and attention to even financial sacrifices, people often throw themselves completely into relationships. This all-in devotion makes detachment feel like a form of self-amputation.

Fear of starting over. For many, the end of a relationship feels like the end of a world they’ve built. The idea of beginning again is terrifying — what if the next chapter isn’t as meaningful? What if it’s lonelier?

Still being in love. This, he says, is the most painful truth.“Mahal mo pa eh. Kahit sinaktan ka na. Kahit may iba na. Kahit ayaw mo na (You still love the person. Even though you've been hurt. Even though there's someone else. Even though you don't want to anymore).”

He explains that even when logic and self-respect demand separation, the heart stubbornly holds on to hope, memories, and what once was.

Through the years, his platform became more than just a call-in show — it evolved into a sanctuary for the brokenhearted. And yet, even after hearing thousands of confessions and giving just as many pieces of advice, Papa Jack remains empathetic and grounded.

“Letting go is the hardest,” he admits, “but there’s no better way to move forward with peace and happiness but to leave the person you love — not because you want to, but because you need to.”

It’s the kind of wisdom that doesn’t just come from psychology textbooks or self-help blogs, but from years of listening — really listening — to the emotional truths of others.

And that is perhaps Papa Jack’s gift: Helping people feel less alone in their sorrow, and guiding them toward the first steps of healing, one painful goodbye at a time.