Ellen Adarna looked back on the valuable relationship advice she received from her late father, Alan Adarna, sharing it helped shape how she viewed love and self-worth.
In an interview with Melai Cantiveros for Kuan On One, Ellen shared that her father advised her to recognize her value and never settle for less in a relationship.
"[Sabi niya], 'No man is worth your tears. You're not easy to get, Ellen, so don't let yourself be fooled,'" she said.
The actress recalled that her father first gave her the advice after seeing her heartbroken over her first boyfriend during her high school years.
"Kasi 'yung first boyfriend ko, nakita talaga niya ‘yun na first year high school pa ako... Nagpapasalamat ako sa kanya nun kasi kung hindi dahil sa kanya baka marupok pa ako, kasi 'yun talaga were months, every day ay inayakan ko," she recalled.
She went on: "Tapos nakikita ng papa ko na maga 'yung mata ko lagi tapos hindi na siya nakatiis kasi three months na ganun na straight. Kaya kinausap niya ako and 'yun na ang kanyang words of affirmation na, 'You know, no man is worth your tears. You're someone of great value. You should never allow anyone to treat you carelessly.'"
Ellen also opened up about the unconventional advice she received from her father regarding marriage.
"Sabi niya, 'Huwag ka nang mag-asawa. Manganak ka lang. Hindi mo kailangan ng asawa. Anak lang kailangan mo.' Ayaw niya talaga mag-asawa ako," she said.
She then quipped: "Naging totoo ang kanyang prophecy."
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In the same interview, Ellen was asked what convinced her to get married.
"I was just in love at that time. Kaya sige, why not di ba? Kahit wala akong plano. Why not? At that time walang doubt sa heart ko, kasi na-in love ako," she said.
"Wala siya sa aking pangarap pero napapaisip ka rin na ano kaya feeling na mag-asawa?" she recalled. "At least na meron din akong natutunan. At least I can say been there, done that."
Ellen tied the knot with Derek Ramsay in November 2021. She revealed in late 2025 that the two of them have separated.