PHOTO: Instagram/maria.elena.adarna, Instagram/johnlloydcruz83

They may not be together anymore but Ellen Adarna knows how to give her former partner John Lloyd Cruz due credit for being a good dad.

It’s not a secret that Ellen and John Lloyd have their own co-parenting set-up. Although they keep it low-key, they’re on good terms and all out in supporting their son, Elias.

Recently, Elias had his “Moving Up Ceremony,” and of course, he celebrated the achievement with Ellen and his stepdad, Derek Ramsay. Ellen happily shared the news on her Instagram through a family photo of the three of them wearing the brightest smiles on Elias’ big day.

Ellen captioned her post with, “The only decent moving up photo.” TBH, the photo was far from decent. It was gorgeous. The small family looked stunning. Even others who flocked to Ellen’s post praised their family and of course, congratulated them for the new milestone.

But sometimes, there’s someone who kills all the fun at parties. An Instagram user left a comment that triggered Ellen’s emotions in the wrong way. The comment, despite appearing simple and harmless read, “JL should be present.”

JL, in this context, refers to John Lloyd, who wasn’t in the family photo that Ellen uploaded. There was also no reported news or any reported photo of John Lloyd physically attending the said ceremony.

Ellen did not hold back and called out the commenter saying, “AND YOU SHOULD MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS. Just because he’s not in the photo doesn’t mean he was not there. ‘Wag masyadong close-minded manang.”

Ellen defended John Lloyd, noting that he has always been there to witness their son’s breakthroughs. “Present father naman siya meaning present din siya sa lahat ng milestones ng anak niya,” she strongly said.

Ellen Adarna calls out a commenter who gave an unsolicited remark against John Lloyd Cruz. Instagram/maria.elena.adarna

Ellen Adarna and John Lloyd Cruz’s co-parenting set-up

Ellen and John Lloyd’s story goes a long way back. The two first met during their high school days at a mall show. It was only in 2017 that they began to see each other as more than friends. In 2018, their lives changed as they welcomed their lovely son.

But sometimes, things just don’t work out. While Ellen didn’t explicitly confirm her breakup with John Lloyd, she did reveal she was dating someone new in 2020. And in 2021, she shared a little bit more about the separation with Preview.ph, saying, “You know, we (Ellen and John Lloyd) weren’t compatible, obviously, that’s why we broke up. Of course, any normal breakup hurts. You want things to work.”

Thankfully, years after their breakup, the two found their common ground and are raising their son in the healthiest co-parenting set-up they could give. Ellen, for one, has been open about John Lloyd’s financial contribution in raising Elias.

She said that she only asked for P10,000 maximum contribution, or sustento in Filipino, from the actor. In an Instagram story that she posted in June 2023, Ellen disclosed, “When he asked me, how much does Elias need, I gave him a breakdown of his basic needs—just his basic needs—and that’s P10,000 max. But he insisted on doubling it.”

She added, “I know he’s more than capable of giving more than that, but I told him I cannot accept anything more than PHP20,000, and that’s it. I also have, because we are co-parenting. I have my obligations and responsibilities for Elias, so it’s just fair.”

As for John Lloyd, he sees his co-parenting set-up with Ellen—and her now-husband Derek—as something very comfortable and wonderful.

With the struggles of being a parent, he greatly appreciates Ellen and Derek for always thinking of Elias’ welfare. “Napakaswerte ko at ako ay nagpapasalamat kay Ellen at Derek dahil iniisip nila ‘yung kapakanan ng bata,” the actor expressed in a 2023 interview.