The Alapags ang bibida sa bagong episode ng Surprise Guest with Pia Arcangel. Sa out of the country na kuwentuhan na ito ibabahagi nina Jimmy at LJ Moreno-Alapag ang kanilang mga pinagdaanan sa Amerika sa gitna ng pandemya, maging ang coaching journey ni Jimmy sa Sacramento Kings at kung paano sila unti-unting nakapag-adjust sa bagong buhay kasama ang kanilang apat na anak.
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00:00Hi everyone, and welcome to a new episode of Surprise Guest with Pia Arcangel.
00:06It's a very special episode.
00:08This is our Father's Day episode, a tribute to all dads out there.
00:12No matter what kind of dad you are, what situation you're in, how old your kids are, this episode
00:18is for you.
00:19So happy Father's Day to all of you, and welcome once again to Surprise Guest with Pia Arcangel.
00:26At this point, I'm just going to find out who our guests are.
00:29Oh wow!
00:30Before I even finish my intro, they're here!
00:33Okay, our surprise guests are Jimmy Alapag and LJ Moreno.
00:37Alapag, none other than Mr. and Mrs. Alapag.
00:41It's so good to have you on the show.
00:42Thanks for saying yes and being with us.
00:44Absolutely.
00:45Of course.
00:46Good to see you.
00:47It's great to see you.
00:48You know, when they said that the guests are in the US, they're based in the US, and then
00:53they said it's a couple.
00:54I was like, oh, I hope it's Jimmy and LJ.
00:56I really, really, really hope it's Jimmy and LJ.
00:59First of all, I'll just ask how you guys are.
01:01It's been a while.
01:02How long have you been in the States already?
01:04You left during pandemic, right?
01:05Yes, it'll be four years in September.
01:08Almost four years.
01:09Believe it or not.
01:10Wow.
01:11Oh, so you left 2020.
01:12It was a time where nobody could leave.
01:13The only reason I was able to leave was because him and the kids are US citizens.
01:17It was that time.
01:18So there's nobody in the airport.
01:20Even in LAX, when we arrived, nobody.
01:23It was really like, yeah, it was in the middle of the pandemic.
01:26Correct me if I'm wrong, but I know that you guys left because, Jimmy, you had work in
01:30the US, right?
01:31You were offered work in the US.
01:33No, actually, initially, there were plans for me to join the NBA G League when we left
01:39Manila.
01:40And then there was also a college offer.
01:41But the only problem was when we did get here towards the end of 2020, you know, we were
01:46still kind of in the middle of COVID.
01:47And so it didn't push through at that time.
01:50So definitely a lot of challenges when we moved back, to say the least.
01:53So the move was really just to find new opportunities.
01:57Part of it was to try to chase an opportunity to be in the NBA.
02:01I just felt like, you know, even despite COVID, it was a dream of mine to continue to grow
02:06in this coaching profession.
02:09And at the same time, you know, for me, it was a chance to be close to my parents.
02:14They got through some health issues, you know, going back to even before 2020.
02:17And so it was a chance for our family to be closer.
02:20And the first time in what?
02:22How many years that you weren't tied up with any team?
02:25Yeah, because of the lockdown, it was the first time that I didn't have any ties.
02:29You know, and obviously, during COVID, there were no sports in the Philippines.
02:33And so we figured, you know, why not, you know, take our shot to try to get into the
02:36NBA.
02:37And so luckily, luckily, God put it on LJ's heart to listen and to follow.
02:47Yeah, that was really God talaga because like, even my friends were like, how did he convince
02:51you?
02:52Because even before when we come here for vacation, I'm like, yeah, after two weeks,
02:55I'm ready to go.
02:56Like I say, I expire, I want to go home to Manila.
02:59I gotta share the quick story.
03:01So we left September of 2020.
03:04ASEAN Basketball League season had ended abruptly, probably early April, March, April.
03:10So we waited a few months and obviously nothing was happening.
03:15You know, that was the first time I kind of brought up the idea I said, hey, you know,
03:17what if we try to move back, you know, be close to the family and at the same time,
03:22it's an opportunity for me to try to chase, you know, an opportunity in the NBA initially
03:26not having it like absolutely not you were out of your mind.
03:29It was like, he's just bored.
03:32So yeah, a few weeks goes by, and you know, and I'm like, hey, you know, I know we talked
03:37about it a few weeks ago and you know, again, there's there's nothing you know, sports,
03:42you know, coaching.
03:43You know, I was already retired.
03:45You know, it's something that we really need to think about.
03:47You were out of your mind.
03:48I told you two or three weeks ago, it wasn't gonna happen.
03:51Stop talking about it.
03:52But now she's upset.
03:54And so it gets the point she says, you know what, you know, I don't want to hear about
03:57moving to the US unless you get any job offer in the States for for coaching Pia, it was
04:02it was the middle of the pandemic.
04:04So there were no sports like anywhere.
04:07So I remember I sat in our dining room and I said, this is impossible, because where
04:12am I going to get a job offer, where there is absolutely no sports in the world.
04:17I connected with some some people, former coaches that were here in the US.
04:22And my old high school coach who was now at a junior college, I had spoken to him maybe
04:26a month before and I said, Hey, coach, you know, after 19 years, the family and I might
04:30be moving back.
04:31He said, Oh, that's great.
04:32Well, reach out when you when you get here to the US.
04:35So after that last conversation, like we're literally not talking for like two days.
04:41Because I'm busy because I had a cake shop, right?
04:44Yes.
04:44Right before lockdown, I started the pandesal and that was the time where Ube Pandesal was
04:48it.
04:48So, you know, business was good.
04:50We were busy.
04:51Like, I ended up being my pack, like he would package pandesal, we had arguments because
04:59he wanted to package it straight away.
05:00I'm like, it's pandesal, this is my space.
05:04So I was gonna ask if the two days of no talking, if there was any animosity at all.
05:09No, definitely.
05:10I mean, I mean, especially from my point of view, because I was thinking more open minded,
05:15like, hey, this might be the perfect opportunity to try my luck and find a way to get to the
05:19NBA.
05:20It's a chance to be close to family.
05:22And again, with COVID, the pandemic, I just didn't want, you know, we had we had our three
05:26kids at the time we have our fourth now, I didn't want them just being in lockdown and
05:30being locked up in the house.
05:32And so I wouldn't say animosity, but but I definitely felt like, man, you know, I hope
05:36she's a little bit more open minded to the idea.
05:38And so by two days later, we're having breakfast.
05:41It's like 630 in the morning.
05:43It's just her and I were in our dining room.
05:44And I'm telling you, Pete, we're sitting there.
05:46She's not talking to me.
05:47I'm not talking to her.
05:48And I get a text message.
05:50And it's my old high school coach who's now a college coach here.
05:53And he sends me a message and I'm literally looking at my phone.
05:57And basically the message said, Hey, Jimmy, listen, you know, so great to hear that you
06:01and the family might be coming back to the States after all these years.
06:04This was July.
06:05He said, we're planning to start our season in November.
06:08If you're interested, I have a lead assistant position on my staff.
06:12It's yours if you want it.
06:14Wow.
06:15Yeah.
06:16When I tell you, I'm like showing LJ my phone.
06:18You got to read this.
06:20And she read it and she was like, oh, she's like, my goodness, God, God has to be, you
06:26know, on your side.
06:27I still have to pray about it.
06:28I thought when you saw the message, the fight is over.
06:33No, I don't buy it.
06:34Wait, I'll still pray about it.
06:38But sure enough, you know, that was probably mid July.
06:40And by second week of September.
06:42Yeah.
06:42And it was crazy because, like, of course, we prayed about it.
06:45And then even my friends here, who's a realtor, is like, so when are you planning on?
06:49I said, I don't know.
06:50We still have to sell the house.
06:51And then I had my shop.
06:53We still have to sell the unit where the shop is and all that stuff.
06:57But that all happened within like a week, two weeks, two weeks.
07:02That's fast.
07:03During the pandemic.
07:04So it was like, you keep saying you're going to pray about it.
07:09Like, I feel like God is like directing you that way now.
07:12So yeah, then I was like, OK, all right, I guess this is what we're going to do.
07:15Wow.
07:16But that's really the best way to explain it.
07:18Not the way things all turn out.
07:19God's hand working in every big and small thing.
07:23The way you were talking about it, Jimmy, it sounds like you had been trying to convince
07:27LJ a couple of times already before to move to the U.S.
07:32I know.
07:32When he was first invited by the Kings.
07:36Yeah.
07:362019.
07:37So he talked like he's so excited.
07:39He's like, yeah, I bet.
07:40Just like, OK, whatever.
07:41We're not trying to hold you around.
07:44That was like my thing.
07:46That was prior pandemic.
07:48But was there ever a time that the two of you lived already together in the U.S. before?
07:53No, we met.
07:54I lived here when I was five years old.
07:57Then I moved to Manila when I turned 95.
08:01That's when I started everything.
08:03And I've been there since.
08:04Ever since.
08:05Yeah, I met him through the PBA because of Rufa May.
08:10It's the only reason I was exposed to the PBA.
08:13And that's how you met.
08:15I actually want to go back to your love story later.
08:17But I will ask first about life now in the U.S.
08:20Because I've seen your posts.
08:22They're the best.
08:23I love your post when you were trying to catch your flight from New York back to L.A.
08:28Oh my gosh.
08:29Yeah.
08:29And your daughter was really annotating on your phone saying that you're running back
08:34to the terminal.
08:36I kept telling her because I thought she was watching something because I was panicking.
08:40I'm like, Kiona, put it down.
08:42I didn't know.
08:44I saw that the day after we arrived here.
08:48I always say moving to the States has shown me some superpowers I did not know I had.
08:54Because seriously, in Manila, we still have our yayas with my sister.
08:59The other ones with my dad.
09:00So I told them, I'll go first.
09:01I have one up there.
09:04Mama needs a break.
09:06Yeah.
09:07I didn't know.
09:08I always tell Jimmy, now, it's like I said, can you imagine when he, which is the yaya
09:15of our youngest, would be off on Sunday?
09:17Because every Sunday, he's off.
09:18It's like on Monday, we're just so tired.
09:20Because we were so tired.
09:21And I'm like, that's the thing.
09:22That's one yaya.
09:23We still had other people helping us.
09:25Now, we do everything.
09:27Especially when he's unseasoned.
09:29Oh, my gosh.
09:30I'm the driver.
09:31Everything.
09:32It's really just the two of you working together.
09:34But are you close to other family members?
09:36I mean, close geographically?
09:38No.
09:39Unfortunately, no.
09:40Because we have family down in Southern California.
09:44But it's about a six, seven hour drive.
09:46And so it's pretty much.
09:49Sister lived with us, who also lived with us when we were in Manila.
09:52And then she had moved here before us.
09:55She ended up staying with us again.
09:56But then she got married.
09:57So then she moved to Southern California again.
09:59So how is life in the US?
10:02I mean, aside from work, but the adjustment for the whole family.
10:06Did the kids have to adjust?
10:08Or for them, it was just, you know, easy peasy.
10:10Nothing new.
10:11For the kids, it was easy.
10:13Yeah.
10:13I mean, for the kids, it was pretty seamless as far as the transition.
10:17They were young, too.
10:19They were younger.
10:20Eight, five, and two when we moved here.
10:23And so, you know, that was the best part, I think, about us moving during the pandemic
10:27is that they really didn't feel it so much.
10:29Because when we got here, they were able to go outside.
10:31And there wasn't any of the lockdown that a lot of kids felt in Manila.
10:34So that was probably the best part.
10:36But it was a huge challenge for LJ and I.
10:38Because again, when we moved, things didn't initially pan out for me job wise with coaching.
10:44And then it was just a huge transition for her because we had been in Manila for so long.
10:48But at the same time, you know, the challenges, you know, helped us grow.
10:51It helped us grow as a couple.
10:54It helped us grow as parents.
10:55And, you know, again, you know, trusting God's plan for our family.
10:59And after that year, you know, I end up getting a call from the Sacramento Kings.
11:03And I get an opportunity with their G-Link team.
11:06So we move up here to Sacramento, you know, two years later.
11:09Here I am finishing my first season with the Kings.
11:12And, you know, honestly, Pia, the best part about the whole journey, not only being able
11:16to do something that I love and something that we had talked about, something we had
11:20prayed about all the way back before we left Manila in 2020.
11:24Now, here we are in 2024.
11:25I'm in the NBA.
11:27You know, LJ has done an amazing job just holding down everything here at home with
11:32the kids.
11:33And she's still here.
11:36And being able to have her and the kids be able to experience it with me, you know, whether
11:40it was coming to New York and going to Madison Square Garden or coming to all the home games
11:44at Golden One, like it means a lot to me that I'm doing something that I love, but being
11:48able to share it with her and having all the kids there, like they're so excited to
11:53come and watch the games and see me behind the bench.
11:55And so it's been a huge blessing.
11:57And it's cool because like our six-year-old plays 2K bowling.
12:01Yeah.
12:01And he sees the actual players or he'll talk to them.
12:04So the players he plays with on the video games, he sees them in real life.
12:08Yeah, he's met them.
12:09And, you know, and the kids have met all the guys.
12:12And so, again, that part of it just, you know, has made all the work and all the challenges
12:18worth it because it's not just something it's not just a dream of mine, but I'm able to
12:22share that with the family.
12:23And especially with the kids being so young, you know, our oldest is now 11.
12:27Probably up until about six months ago, he didn't want to play basketball.
12:31Oh, dad, it's boring.
12:32And that's OK.
12:33You know, no problem.
12:34But now that he's about to start middle school and all his friends play and they found out
12:38that, you know, hey, your dad is a coach on the Kings.
12:41You know, can we watch a game with you?
12:42And now he's like, Dad, I want to play.
12:45So that part's been really cool.
12:49And again, it's just been a blessing that something that we prayed about and talked
12:54about, you know, four years ago.
12:55And here we are.
12:56So safe to say that the Kings is their favorite team.
12:59Oh, absolutely.
13:00They have no choice.
13:01Absolutely.
13:03I've seen videos also of your little boy who can really shoot.
13:06Yes.
13:07Yes.
13:07How old was he in those videos?
13:08He's six.
13:10Now, but he started when he was three.
13:13He really like loves basketball.
13:15And the coolest part is it's just so fun for him because, again, you know, when he comes
13:19home, he watches highlights on YouTube, then he plays PlayStation and then he comes to
13:23the games and he meets the players.
13:25And so they're like, hey, what's up, Kalen?
13:27And so, you know, it all just kind of connects for him that, hey, these are the guys that
13:31I play with on PlayStation.
13:33But then, you know, I just saw them last night or, you know, I had pictures with them.
13:37And it's funny because when he was born, Jimmy actually had retired already.
13:41He was already coaching.
13:42So he never saw Jimmy play like in person, but he watches a lot of his highlight videos.
13:48So he'll say stuff like, so unfair.
13:50So why?
13:51Because Kuya used to sit there when Jimmy would have press con or go to the locker room.
13:57I'm like, Kalen, you see NBA?
13:59And tell him to wait for daddy to also do press cons in the NBA.
14:07He said to me on TV, I had posted that and the commentators were talking about him.
14:14He's like, oh my gosh, that is so famous now.
14:18I saw that.
14:20And also when you were, was it high-fiving or shaking hands with Steph Curry after the
14:24game?
14:24Yeah, after the play-in game.
14:26Yeah.
14:27Because I had had a chance to meet him, Pia, last summer.
14:30One of our Kings players was working out with the same trainer that Steph has.
14:35And so I actually brought our six-year-old with me to the workout.
14:38And so he got a chance to take a picture with Steph, had a chance to talk to him for a while.
14:43So when I saw him after the game, you know, we'd met each other before.
14:46And so, yeah, we just shook hands.
14:47And I mean, he's obviously one of the best to ever play.
14:50So I thought that was pretty cool.
14:52That's so cool.
14:53This one I have to ask LJ.
14:55What's the difference between watching Jimmy play?
14:59Of course, at the height of his career, the PBA, the Mighty Mouse, you see him running
15:02down the court.
15:03And then watching him now, he's on the bench, but he's coaching, and it's in the NBA.
15:08I'm calmer now.
15:12When he was playing, I would be, sometimes I'm more tired, like in the farms.
15:18Because like my emotions, I'm just creeping and all that stuff.
15:21So I'm a lot calmer now.
15:22But like you said, it's more like, for the kids, I feel like it's really cool that they
15:28get to experience, especially your six-year-old.
15:30Because if I'm, you know, up close, I'm like, okay.
15:32Because before, to be honest, I really didn't watch the NBA.
15:36I did not.
15:36I only watch when Jimmy plays, or when Jimmy coaches.
15:40It's not like I'm a big basketball person.
15:42I just only understand the game.
15:44Because when he was playing, I'm just like, oh my gosh, you should have shot that more
15:47or something.
15:48Like feeling coach.
15:49But then I didn't really understand, only when he was playing.
15:52I mean, it's pretty cool that it's the NBA.
15:55And just seeing our kids' reaction, especially Kalen.
15:58Because he's like, he's the one that really likes watching.
16:02So since you're calmer now, you can actually be friends with the ref, no?
16:06Yeah, I don't even know this.
16:08Like, I don't even know this before.
16:13I know what you called.
16:14That call was not good.
16:17Jimmy, do you still get to play?
16:20Even with friends, or do you have a ring at home, a court at home?
16:24So we do.
16:25We do have a basketball court in the backyard because our kids wanted one.
16:29And around the house.
16:30And we have like a bunch around the house.
16:33I still play from time to time.
16:34But it's more just casual with our coaching staff.
16:38I've been retired for quite some time.
16:39But it's still important to stay fit and stay in shape.
16:43So I still work out regularly.
16:45I need the energy to chase the kids around when I'm not coaching and not working out with our guys.
16:50So yeah, I mean, casual, but nothing to where, you know,
16:54I can't afford any major injuries at 46 now.
16:57So I'm much more careful.
16:59I always ask what the difference is.
17:00I mean, which is more difficult?
17:02To be actually playing or to be coaching?
17:05I think it's definitely tougher playing.
17:07Oh, really?
17:08Just because...
17:09LJ doesn't believe you.
17:11No, just because, you know, you're out there on the court.
17:14You're out there competing.
17:15And whether it was my time in the PBA or my time with Gilles,
17:18and then now seeing, you know, these NBA guys up close,
17:22you know, it's a lot of work.
17:23A lot of work behind the scenes that people don't see.
17:26It's a lot of discipline in terms of how the guys take care of their body
17:30and how they train and how they rest.
17:32And again, just the pressure of winning.
17:34The NBA is, you know, is an environment where it's the best players in the world.
17:38And so everybody's looking for an edge.
17:41When you're coaching, you know, you do your best to encourage,
17:44the players that you work with and help them prepare as best as possible.
17:48But at the end of the day, once the game starts,
17:49you know, it's out of your control.
17:51You know, you're just there to maybe point things out or show something on video.
17:55But the game's moving so fast, you know,
17:57I think it's tougher to actually be out there and in between the lines.
18:02And the job actually doesn't end like, you know,
18:04at the end of the game or at the end of practice.
18:06It's not like you just go to practice, you go to the game.
18:08You still have to do your research, your paperwork and things like that.
18:12Oh, no, no, absolutely.
18:13You're a lot busy.
18:14A lot of long nights because after a game, you know, as part of the coaching staff,
18:19you know, you're watching video, you're cutting clips so that you can show
18:24the players that you work with the next day or the next morning.
18:27So the game may end at 10 o'clock.
18:29You know, we'll get home and get the kids to bed by 11, 1130.
18:33And then I'm still up till about two or three to prepare the video
18:37so that when I get to practice at eight, nine in the morning, it's already ready.
18:40So let's drink coffee.
18:41I don't know how he does it.
18:44But he needs her, you know, your cakes and your sweets.
18:50But honestly, you know, I think that's why it's so important to love what you do.
18:54I'm super thankful to be in the position I'm in.
18:56I'm in with the Kings.
18:58It is a lot of work.
18:59The game of basketball has been a part of my life for so long.
19:01You know, I played for a long time.
19:03And now that I'm coaching, it's really a great opportunity to pay it forward.
19:07I tell all of our guys, you know, I never played in the NBA,
19:09but, you know, I'd like to think I was pretty successful
19:12when I played as a professional.
19:14And so whatever I can do from my personal experience to help them,
19:19whether it's something I've experienced,
19:21something that I can show them on video,
19:23that's really where my teaching points come from.
19:26And again, you know, hopefully, you know,
19:28the players are getting something out of it and, you know,
19:31going out there and playing well.
19:32Well, I can imagine because as LJ mentioned,
19:34it's very difficult when you're in season.
19:36So maybe the biggest adjustment also was
19:38having to travel to and from the house.
19:41I mean, because when you say travel during the season,
19:44it's not just, you know,
19:44you go to Araneta or you go to Moa, right?
19:47It's like cross country.
19:49And that's how many days at the time or how many weeks at the time.
19:52Honestly, Pia, she…
19:53The longest stretch was like over two weeks.
19:55Yeah, I think our trip this past season was,
19:58I think we had seven games over 14 days.
20:01But again, that's why, you know,
20:03I'm lucky to have Superwoman here at home
20:06taking care of the kids.
20:07You know, not all the wives,
20:08because some of the wives went to New York,
20:10but they left their kids with like their parents.
20:12They saw me take their kids to different states
20:15to leave them with their parents.
20:17I was the only one with kids.
20:19Who brought all four?
20:20Four kids.
20:22They're like, oh my gosh, how'd you do that?
20:25Or Jimmy's really lucky because I would never,
20:27I would never.
20:31But I'm sure it's an experience that the kids
20:33will always remember, right?
20:35It's a core memory for them.
20:36I think one of the coolest experiences this year
20:39was for our kids to go to Madison Square Garden
20:42because I had never been there before.
20:43And so I was pretty excited, you know,
20:46to play against the Knicks.
20:47And there's so much basketball history
20:50at Madison Square Garden.
20:51But for LJ and the kids to go there,
20:54you know, they're going to the main entrance
20:55and they're, you know, we're like to the locker room,
20:58to the court, to the locker room.
20:59Then we go back to the hotel or we leave to the airport.
21:02But they're walking to the entrance
21:03so the kids were able to just kind of see
21:05a lot of the history of people who've performed,
21:08people who have played in Madison Square Garden.
21:10So they all got a kick out of it after the game
21:13when I was talking to them at the hotel.
21:14They're like, dad, do you know, you know, this, you know,
21:17this wrestler or this, you know, this singer,
21:20you know, performed at Madison Square Garden.
21:22So again, little stuff like that, like you said,
21:24those core memories for the kids is amazing.
21:27And LJ has done an amazing job of allowing them
21:30to experience all of it.
21:31Because when, even when she's exhausted,
21:34and she'll tell the kids, hey, you know, tonight,
21:36we're not going to go to the game.
21:37Like they'd come home from school.
21:38They're like, mom, it's mostly, you know,
21:41we have to go to the game.
21:44The six-year-old, he'll be like, like super sad.
21:47Like he's going to cry.
21:49Oh my gosh, Kaylin.
21:50Okay, fine.
21:51And so you can't leave the other kids at home.
21:53You have to take everyone with you.
21:54And everybody, everybody's coming.
21:56It's a group, it's a group trip.
21:58Yeah.
21:58Well, you know, I can't stop smiling
22:00the way you're describing it.
22:01Even for me, I'm like so much older than them.
22:05And to me, it sounds like so much fun and so exciting.
22:09LJ, how do you handle all this?
22:12I mean, like when Jimmy is busy and you have to,
22:15like he said, hold the fort down.
22:17I always say it's really good that before we came here,
22:20like prayer and all that stuff, like was released there.
22:23Because if not, I probably would have went home already.
22:25Like maybe after this, I'm out.
22:28But it's so much better in the Philippines when you go home.
22:32Or more comfortable.
22:33But yeah.
22:34But like, so I always say a lot of prayer and a lot of coffee.
22:39But like, it's important for me to wait.
22:40When he's not here, I have to wake up at five in the morning.
22:43But the thing is, even before we had kids, even in Manila,
22:46I would wake up, remember, at five in the morning.
22:48And I'd have my prayer time outside our balcony in Capitolio.
22:51And I hear the church bells ring at like five.
22:55I've always been a morning person.
22:56So that helps a lot so that when they're still asleep,
22:59I can prepare the food, all that stuff.
23:01And yeah, it's really just.
23:03And I really had to, like, time management and all that stuff.
23:07Because aside from school, they're all in sports,
23:10except for the one-year-old.
23:11But not just one sport.
23:13Like our daughter was in cheer.
23:16And then now she decided to do basketball.
23:19And then Ian, our oldest, was doing football.
23:24Baseball and basketball.
23:27And the six-year-old, he just wants basketball.
23:32But even basketball alone is a bit heavy, right?
23:37But the thing is now, all three of them are doing basketball.
23:40So there's times where we're like at the gym from, what time?
23:43Like 3.30 if their game's at four.
23:45And then till eight o'clock.
23:47Yeah, till eight o'clock at night.
23:49And then we have the toddler that now just wants to walk everywhere.
23:52And right now, he's at the stage where he just wants mama.
23:55All the time.
23:56Like, I need a massage.
23:58Because I'm giving it to Jimmy and he just wants to come to me.
24:03And so there was a time you were juggling all this while you were pregnant.
24:06Because, I mean, your youngest is one-year-old.
24:09Yeah, it was a little easier when I was pregnant.
24:11Just because, you know.
24:13He's still inside your tummy.
24:14Tight.
24:15Wasn't running around.
24:17A little, yeah.
24:18And then my sister was still here at the time, right?
24:21Yeah, so that helped a lot.
24:23Because at least I don't have to lug everyone.
24:25Sometimes I can leave one of the kids if I have to pick someone up.
24:30But yeah, but when he got promoted to the NBA, that's when the schedule got...
24:35That's when my sister wasn't here anymore.
24:37I was like, ay, grabe talaga.
24:40And I said, I'm not gonna say I can't do it.
24:42Because I used to say, no, I cannot live in the States.
24:45There's no way.
24:46I can't. I can't do it.
24:47I said, I'm gonna stop saying that.
24:49Because every time I say that, God shows me that I can.
24:52So I'm like, I can do it.
24:53Now it's like, oh yeah, I can do it.
25:00Well, because you're together also, that's why.
25:03I mean, I can see the partnership, the teamwork.
25:06I mean, how it all comes together.
25:09How long have you guys been married?
25:10Oh my goodness, it'll be 14 years in August.
25:13Wow, 14 years.
25:14And before that, you were together for how many years?
25:16Almost four.
25:18Almost four.
25:19Broke up for about 15, 16 months.
25:22And then we got back together.
25:24You know what, can I tell you a secret?
25:48Para sa ating mga updaters.
25:50Seven months mo, kinim-kinito.
25:53Bakit ngayon mo lang nailabas?
25:54Aga kumbia ka.
25:57Pakitanong po, po ang reason ng breakup ni Carla.
26:01Wow, talagang derecho ha.
26:03Ipagpatuloy mo yung prinsipyo.
26:05Nasa gagawin mo.
26:07Huwag kang manakit.
26:08Be fair and be grateful.
26:10Updated with Nelson Canlas.
26:18How long have you guys been married?
26:20Oh my goodness, it'll be 14 years in August.
26:23Wow, 14 years.
26:24And before that, you were together for how many years?
26:26Almost four.
26:28Almost four.
26:29Broke up for about 15, 16 months.
26:32And then we got back together.
26:34You know what, can I tell you a secret?
26:36I remember when the news came out that you guys broke up.
26:38I was so sad.
26:41I mean, I don't know you guys as a couple personally or whatever.
26:44But I remember I was so affected by that.
26:47And I was so happy when I found out that you were back together.
26:49And especially when you were getting married.
26:51I was like, oh, thank God.
26:54Thank you, thank you.
26:55I appreciate that, thank you.
26:56I remember that.
26:57But can you tell us about your love story?
26:59Because you see, LJ already mentioned earlier that you met through Rufa May.
27:03You weren't a basketball person, LJ.
27:05But you had heard of Jimmy already by the time Rufa May introduced you.
27:08Yeah, it was, well, basically not because of me,
27:11but because of the circle.
27:12She was with Rooney at the time, yes.
27:14We just had the same circle of friends.
27:17You know, we kind of met towards the end of my rookie year, way back in 03.
27:21We met before we met, you said, but I don't remember, but you said.
27:25Yeah, we had met briefly.
27:27We had met briefly the year before in 2002,
27:30when I was just there with the national team.
27:33But then I got hurt.
27:34And so I ended up coming back before.
27:36I went back to Manila in 2003 for the draft.
27:39But yeah, we dated for about three and a half years.
27:43For us, things were great.
27:44But probably the one thing looking back for us in terms of our relationship,
27:49we moved in together pretty quick for about two and a half years, right?
27:52We lived together.
27:53And at the time, we were so young.
27:55I was still young.
27:56I still had the urge to want to hang out with the guys.
27:59And, you know, she had, you know, different opposing ideas about me
28:04hanging out with the guys.
28:05And so.
28:06Because I have a second girlfriend.
28:08I was a second.
28:09Yeah.
28:09And let's not talk about Ilan Nath.
28:13No, but.
28:17No, but, you know, I think that I think I think during those two and a half years,
28:21you know, you you know, you're young, you take things for granted.
28:24And it got to the point where we wouldn't talk much,
28:27you know, when we would go to the condo.
28:29And so, you know, we just kind of grew apart.
28:31And it was crazy because when we did break up at that at that time,
28:36if you would have asked either of us, we probably would have said,
28:38yeah, we're probably not going to get back together.
28:40But again, God, God has ways of, you know, bringing people in and out of your life.
28:45And, you know, 15, 16 months later, I mean, we literally randomly ran into each other
28:51in a month's time, I think two or three times.
28:53Yeah, it was like I'm hanging out with, say, Harv and some of the guys.
28:57And they would say, hey, let's go here.
28:59And I would say, there's going to be too many people.
29:01Let's just go here.
29:02You know, it's not as crowded, you know, a little quieter.
29:05We go there.
29:06She's there with her friends.
29:07And then like two weeks later, the guys would say, hey, let's go to this place.
29:11Like, ah, no, let's let's let's go to another place.
29:13So we'd be there about an hour later.
29:15Who walks in with her friends?
29:17LJ.
29:17And so, you know, then we just kind of started talking.
29:20And I think the biggest thing that came out of our conversation was, hey, you know,
29:24if we if we get back together, we have to be a lot more mature about
29:29about how we go about things.
29:30Let's not move in together.
29:32You know, it was right away.
29:33No, and no, and also keeping keeping God at the center of our relationship, because,
29:41you know, again, at the time when we first dated, I don't think that was the case.
29:44And so here we are, 14 years later, four, four babies.
29:51I said, I said he got tired of because he would practice and pick me up in Marikina.
29:58We'd hang out in Capitolio.
30:12What were your first impressions of each other?
30:14I mean, did you guys like think that Jimmy Shepard, when you first met LJ,
30:18you know, this pretty actress and then LJ, Jimmy's this hot shot basketball player.
30:23Was it an instant connection?
30:28No, LJ was the first time.
30:32You know, the funniest thing during my first conference in the in the PBA,
30:37she was actually dating somebody else at the time.
30:39And so she was rooting against us from the other team.
30:43And probably, probably we won for me.
30:49No, I mean, obviously, really good.
30:51No, wait, let me my brother, because we were waiting by the dugout.
30:55And then he actually shook hands with my little.
30:57They were they're adults now, but they're so young.
30:59And you're like, I tell you, you're yelling.
31:01And I'm so nice.
31:02But he said, I just mean, like,
31:09no idea for me.
31:10I mean, again, I mean, obviously, seeing LJ, she was she was definitely attractive.
31:13But the thing that stood out to me was, you know, when we hung out with everyone,
31:17she was just, you know, real chill.
31:18Like she you could you could just feel the energy that she had about her.
31:22And not only the conversation that her and I had, but just,
31:25you know, she's just great to be around.
31:27Feeling that, you know, you I know for me in particular,
31:30you know, you just you just want to be around that person,
31:32you know, more and more.
31:33And so it started from there.
31:35Would you say that you gained a newfound appreciation for LJ when you moved to the US?
31:39Oh, a thousand percent.
31:41A thousand percent.
31:43No, because honestly, honestly, Pia, we're thankful to be,
31:47you know, where we are now.
31:48You know, again, it was it was a dream that we talked about before leaving Manila that,
31:52my love, I'm going to try to see if I can make it to the NBA.
31:54And, you know, it was this crazy idea and nobody had ever done it.
31:59And I'm thankful that she saw and she believed in the vision that I had.
32:04And we prayed about it as good as it was for the kids to be pretty seamless in the transition.
32:10There were a lot, a lot of challenges for her and I.
32:13Challenges that we really didn't expect.
32:15There were a lot of times when I felt and we both felt like,
32:19you know, I don't know if this is going to work out.
32:21Maybe we just go back to Manila.
32:22But, you know, I didn't want to quit.
32:23I felt like I brought the family here for a reason.
32:27We believed in God's plan for us and we just kept going.
32:30Honestly, Pia, maybe a hundred times where LJ and I sat down and had conversations.
32:34I said, you know, I don't I don't know if this is this is working out how we planned.
32:39And again, you know, I'm thankful that we have our circle of friends and family that we could
32:43lean on during those times to help us get through.
32:47And again, you know, I'm just thankful that she always believed,
32:51she always had faith and she trusted in this vision that I had that, you know,
32:55my love, I can make it to the NBA.
32:57I know I can, but getting there is much easier said than done.
33:02So, you know, she knows how thankful I am, you know, of her.
33:06And now here we are.
33:07So and now we have more babies crying.
33:11Well, I'm wondering, Jimmy, how your perspective as a husband and father
33:16has changed now that you're in the U.S.
33:18And, you know, I mean, at the age of 46, still fulfilling your dreams.
33:22No, I mean, again, extremely thankful.
33:24I think my perspective on, you know, when it comes to being
33:28a husband and being, you know, a father to our kids.
33:32I mean, it's a lot, you know, having having four young kids.
33:35And it just gives me, like I said, a much deeper appreciation for what LJ is doing,
33:39because she knows how much I love what I do.
33:43But it's not easy for her, because when I when I go to work and I'm
33:47at the gym for, you know, six, seven, eight, ten hours,
33:50you know, she's here again with all the kids, whether it's taking them to school,
33:54picking them up, having to run them to all their different practices.
33:57So, I mean, there's she she may have more stress here at home than I have at the gym.
34:05But again, you know, the best part about it is that being able to share what I do with them
34:10so that they get a chance to feel and see that, hey, when dad leaves for work,
34:14this is where he is and and this is where he goes.
34:17That's been really, really cool.
34:19LJ, how would you describe Jimmy as a dad and as a husband?
34:22That's one thing with Jimmy.
34:24He's very present, no matter how how busy he is.
34:28He makes sure, you know, he's there whenever he can be like for their sports stuff.
34:33And when he's at home, he really spends time with them like he's he's the fun parent.
34:38I'm the strict parent, he's the fun parent.
34:42I'm waiting for Jason's like, but but I'm okay with that
34:45because they don't want to hang out with that all the time.
34:48I'm going to leave mama in the room.
34:51Yeah, I think I said the mother with me all the time.
34:54So I'm like the one that, you know, sets the rules and everything.
34:56Although there are times when I'm just like, you got I said, no, you got to be more,
35:01you know, we try to meet in the middle.
35:03But he's like the cool parent.
35:05That's that, you know, he's a great dad.
35:07That's one thing that I really like about him.
35:10He's really a family man, husband.
35:12He's a great husband, which you said, like house household stuff.
35:17When he's home, in fairness, the man, he does the laundry,
35:20and he'll stay up all night and do the laundry.
35:23And he folds really well.
35:24Wow, that's a talent.
35:26That's what you do to fold.
35:28Yeah, because I tried folding.
35:30That's why I don't fold.
35:31But I really like fix this.
35:38And Pia, I will tell you, having four kids and a wife to do laundry for,
35:43it is easy on top of doing work for the kids.
35:47It's a lovely joke.
35:49I always call them learnedness.
35:51That's what we used to call them before.
35:52Like, we were like, oh, dad, we're helpful.
35:55But you know, it's funny, too, because the kids know that I do laundry,
35:58like, you know, the days that I can take them to school.
36:02My daughter would be like, dada, when you get home later,
36:05you have to make sure you wash my clothes because I need this.
36:08I'm like, I got you, my love.
36:09When I go home, you know, I'll wash all your stuff.
36:12Oh, wait, like, when it's in season, I have to wash.
36:15Because if I wait for him, well, I'd have to call him.
36:20Did you wash the uniform?
36:23It's a partnership, for sure.
36:25Yeah.
36:25Wait, I'm curious about how you fold your clothes, Jimmy.
36:28You can do it as in mano-mano, or you need that cardboard plastic thing.
36:34He's really good with all the right lines and all.
36:39I have to thank my mom and my sisters for that,
36:41because they used to always get on me as a kid.
36:42Like, no, you shouldn't have your stuff messy.
36:45You fold all your stuff.
36:46And so they they taught me years, years, years ago how to fold my stuff.
36:50And so now, you know, I try to have our kids, you know, see their stuff organized
36:55that when they wake up in the morning, they know what to grab.
36:57And then they'll fix like all their stuff, which is how he was before.
37:02Like, if you need to have games, he'll fix everything in the evening.
37:06The next day, he's ready now.
37:08It's all ready.
37:09Yeah, I'm opposite.
37:11I'm very last minute.
37:12Yes.
37:12Decide what I'm doing.
37:13And so he'll, like, even when we go to church, he's like,
37:16my love, can you please pick what you're going to wear?
37:18So I need, because he irons also.
37:20Wow.
37:21Probably the way I iron.
37:23But for some reason, it just stays wrinkled.
37:25And of course, you know, on a Sunday, on a Sunday, get ready for church.
37:32You know, I'll be like, hey, you know, give me whatever the kids need to wear.
37:35So I can, you know, fix it, iron it, whatever.
37:38And then the stuff that she picks out of her closet is like the most wrinkled
37:42thing that she could find.
37:45But, you know, she does an amazing job, you know, when I'm working.
37:50And so I think it's a great balance to try to lessen that load as much as possible when I'm home.
37:55So now we know the division of chores.
37:57So Jimmy's in the laundry room.
37:59And then LJ's probably in the kitchen cooking while he's washing the clothes or ironing.
38:08Don't worry, in a few years, the kids can start helping already with the chores, right?
38:11For sure, for sure.
38:13Yeah, I think we've actually started a little bit.
38:16Well, like Ian will have his days where he wants to cook.
38:19So he'll cook.
38:20Kiona helps with Cason, but then they get babysit.
38:24They're expensive babysitters.
38:25But very expensive.
38:28They require payment.
38:29Yeah, that's why she's not like she'll be on her because she's into makeup.
38:33I don't let her wear makeup every day.
38:34It's just for like when she makes her videos.
38:36And, you know, like kids their age now they have TikTok.
38:39So they see all this.
38:40He has a better.
38:42She has more updated makeup than me.
38:44But she'll say like, yeah, I don't I don't I'm not like other kids.
38:47I don't ask my parents for money because I use my own money.
38:50Wow.
38:59She's a really good babysitter.
39:00But sometimes she'll be like, Mom, how much?
39:04Because I'm like, OK, can you watch him?
39:06But do not bother me for a whole hour.
39:08Like don't ask for anything.
39:10Nope.
39:10For a whole hour.
39:11He goes, she goes, OK, well, how much though?
39:15But in fairness, she'll time it and like will not bother me for an hour.
39:20But then if you're here to watch them, she'll watch even if we don't.
39:23OK, the going rate is high.
39:24Yes, for sure.
39:26I can't disturb you on my phone.
39:29Yeah, that's the extra.
39:31But LJ, do you sometimes miss, you know, filming, doing movies, doing TV shows?
39:37I super miss it.
39:38That's like I super miss it.
39:40That's why I like Thursdays.
39:42I mean, like I said, at the end of the day, it's this is where God wants us to be.
39:46So I have to make sure I'm present in this season.
39:48But yeah, I miss it a lot.
39:51So right now, this season, she'll go first.
39:57When you're on vacation here.
39:59Yes, when I'm on vacation, you know, I was telling his friends from the industry.
40:06Also, I'm like, yeah, if there's any guestings, I'm like super,
40:09I want to go and actually work because I miss it.
40:12I really do.
40:13I miss it.
40:13I miss getting made up.
40:14I miss being on the set.
40:16So hopefully when I go home.
40:17But it's so much fun seeing you also on your socials.
40:21Like, you know, at least somehow that's also still kind of like camera work.
40:25Yeah, that's the thing.
40:26Like, people are like, people would ask me, especially out here, they're like,
40:30how do you have time to do?
40:31I'm like, you know what, to me, that's like, that's my stress reliever.
40:35I have fun doing that because I kind of feel like, you know, I'm still doing
40:40what I used to do in a way, you know what I mean?
40:42But reality this time, I just joke about it because I'm tired.
40:46But then, you know, I'll make little makeup, little skits and all that stuff.
40:51And then at least like now, because we have my director before,
40:56me and Danica had a show, Happy Wife before.
40:59And our director lives here now.
41:02And then our other partner, and then Rufa May also lives here.
41:06So I was nearby.
41:08And then Hazel, who's from GMA, also based here that end.
41:13So we all partnered together.
41:14And then we shoot the Wander Mamas, which is a YouTube channel.
41:18But lately, because Jimmy's been in season, and there's nowhere,
41:22no one to watch the kids, we haven't been able to do that.
41:25So now we're doing live stream on my Facebook, like every Saturday.
41:31Yeah.
41:31So yeah, so there's still a chance.
41:35But the way you were describing also the kids, they're all very athletic.
41:39But do any of them show any maybe inclinations towards showbiz, performing?
41:44Yeah, my youngest.
41:49It's very natural for our daughter.
41:51I mean, she's LJ's twin.
41:53Like she looks exactly like she looks like a young LJ.
41:58But she's just, I mean, she's excited to go to the Philippines.
42:02She's been doing a dance class on Zoom since she's been with her teacher.
42:08Teacher Sky since the pandemic, she's five, right?
42:10When we left Manila.
42:12But she continued doing the dance class on Zoom.
42:14And they have like a recital every summer.
42:17And they only, Kiona joins it, but she's only on the big screen.
42:20But this time, this year, she'll be here.
42:24So she's very excited.
42:26And it's natural for her, Tsupia.
42:27I mean, all of our kids are amazing.
42:30But it's very natural for our daughter when it comes to performing.
42:32And so and she has fun with it.
42:34Like that's to me, you know, as her dad,
42:37like that's the most important thing that she's having fun
42:40and that she enjoys doing it.
42:42And so, you know, we tell her all the time, you know,
42:44mom and dad are here to support you.
42:45And, you know, you go there and you do your best and then you have fun.
42:49That's kind of, you know, what we encourage all of our kids.
42:51So, you know, whatever it is that they choose,
42:54whether, you know, whether it's basketball or another sport,
42:56I'm thankful that being here in the States,
42:59they have opportunities to, you know, kind of venture out
43:03and try different sports.
43:05Oh, well, it's great to see how you guys are all adjusting
43:10and adjusting so well.
43:11I mean, like you said, it's not without its challenges,
43:13but, you know, it's great to see you guys.
43:16And really, thank you for giving us this time.
43:19We just have a quick game to play, if that's okay.
43:22It's like less than five minutes.
43:24Elfie is coming down right now.
43:24So she's here.
43:25Yeah, I got you.
43:27Is it Kaylen?
43:27It's Kaylen, the six-year-old.
43:29Oh, sorry we disturbed you.
43:31This will be super quick.
43:32This game is just called Mr. or Mrs. Alapag.
43:35I'll give an adjective and then you'll say
43:37if this is Mr. Alapag or this is Mrs. Alapag.
43:40Okay.
43:41So the first disciplinarian.
43:43Mrs. Alapag.
43:45That was quick.
43:47And LJ said that already earlier.
43:50Who is the spoiler?
43:51Oh, Mr. Alapag, easy.
43:54So if you want something, if you want something, you ask daddy.
43:57They come to dinner for sure.
43:58Oh, this one.
43:59Who's the more serious one?
44:00Oh, Mr. Alapag.
44:02Really?
44:04Yeah, I always try to get him to do reels with me, but he won't.
44:07Oh, but I saw one that you did.
44:09You got Jimmy to dance with you guys.
44:11Because that was like a birthday slash, was it Mother's Day?
44:14A Christmas slash birthday gift.
44:16That was, I'm like, I just want you to shoot a reel with me.
44:19So maybe once a year, maybe.
44:21I don't know who wants English.
44:25Oh, so who's the comedian?
44:27Automatically, Mrs. Alapag.
44:29Mrs. Alapag, for sure.
44:31Who is friend to the kids?
44:32Mr. Alapag.
44:33Mr. Alapag.
44:34Mr. Alapag.
44:35Okay, part of the gang.
44:37Who is the cook?
44:38Oh, Mrs. Alapag.
44:41Budget officer.
44:43Finance officer.
44:45Mrs. Alapag.
44:45Yeah, that's why when the kids want something, they go to him.
44:49They go to him.
44:50Because he's always like, no, I don't have money.
44:52Why do we always not have money?
44:57Who is the more emotional parent?
44:59Mr. Alapag.
44:59Mr. Alapag.
45:01So you'd be first to cry at graduation and stuff?
45:04Oh, for sure.
45:06It's usually the dad, no?
45:07I wonder why.
45:08Okay, the dads that you least expect.
45:10Okay, who has the last say when an issue arises?
45:14Mr. Alapag.
45:15That's it.
45:17Mrs. Alapag doesn't seem to think so.
45:20I'll give it to you.
45:23All right, well, thank you so much, Mr. and Mrs. Alapag
45:27for taking time out from your very, very busy schedule to be with us.
45:31A happy, happy Father's Day to you, Jimmy.
45:34Before we wrap things up, LJ, maybe we can ask you for your Father's Day message to Jimmy.
45:39Well, thank you for being such a great dad and a great husband.
45:44And just know that we'll always be here to support you, even when it's hard.
45:50We're here to support you all the way.
45:52And we love you.
45:53Thank you.
45:54I appreciate it.
45:55I love you guys too.
45:56Thank you.
45:56And also, maybe you guys have a message for your followers,
46:00you know, following your journey, whether here from the beginning,
46:03and now that you're still there in the U.S.
46:06Well, Pia, I would just say to everyone who supported LJ and the kids and I,
46:09we appreciate the love, the support, and most especially the prayers.
46:13A lot of challenges, a lot of unexpected challenges the last few years,
46:17making the transition from leaving Manila to here in the U.S.,
46:21but we continue to trust God's plan for our family.
46:24You know, incredibly thankful to be here in Sacramento.
46:27You know, I wish all the Filipino basketball fans could feel the energy of
46:30the basketball community here in Sacramento because it's one and the same.
46:34And that is definitely one of the coolest parts that
46:36of all the places that God could place our family,
46:39it feels like the Philippines because the same way the community here loves,
46:44you know, the Kings is the same way Filipinos love basketball.
46:47Yeah, it's like, because I used to always love it when they'd make it in the finals,
46:51when they were in Tocantins, they had back because I like the lights out and the fire.
46:58Every regular game, my lights out, fireworks.
47:02That's one thing that I like about.
47:05And I'm like, every even if it's a regular game, I feel like it's like
47:09Tocantins in the finals every time because it's championship levels now.
47:16Yeah, so yeah.
47:17Yeah, so to everyone, you know, again, it means a lot to have had everybody's support.
47:22And, you know, just just extremely appreciative and thankful for the support.
47:28So happy Father's Day to all the single moms and all the fathers out there, too, as well.
47:33Yeah, same thing Jimmy said, said it all.
47:35But again, thank you so much to all our followers and subscribers,
47:39the ones that have been there from when we were still in Manila,
47:43all the way to us being here in the US.
47:47I see the messages.
47:49I just can't reply to all of it.
47:50But I appreciate it.
47:52Thank you so much for all the messages of encouragement that you send us.
47:56And yeah, I hope you continue to join us in our journey.
48:00I used to put out vlogs twice a week, but lately it's been once a week.
48:03Because guys, I'm also the one who edits.
48:08So yeah, I hope you continue to support us on YouTube and on Facebook.
48:13Yeah.
48:14And where can we catch you on your socials?
48:17My Instagram is a lollicakechick at j.alapag3.
48:21And then on YouTube, please follow Alapag Family Fun.
48:24Also on Facebook, Alapag Family Fun.
48:27My personal Facebook page is LJ Moreno Alapag.
48:29And also, please follow the Wonder Mamas and Mabuhay Studios on YouTube and Facebook.
48:35Thank you so much, Jimmy and LJ.
48:38Thank you, guys.
48:39All right, take care.
48:43This surprise was planned by the team of Ronald Ramido and Orby De Los Reyes.
48:46Edited by Shirley Paghiligan with the amazing people of GMA Integrated News.
48:51Don't forget to like and subscribe for the next surprise.