From Rock Drilon to Ricky Carandang: The Enduring Romantic Journey of Ces Oreña-Drilon

Ces Oreña-Drilon, a revered figure in Philippine broadcast journalism, has navigated a public career spanning decades, often placing her in the national spotlight. Beyond her professional achievements, her romantic life, marked by significant long-term relationships, has also drawn public interest. Her journey through love reflects periods of personal growth, resilience, and a steadfast commitment to her own well-being.

One of the most notable chapters in Ces Oreña-Drilon's romantic history began with her marriage to Rock Drilon, a prominent painter and nephew of former Senator Franklin Drilon. Their union brought together two distinct public figures, blending the worlds of media and art. Together, Ces and Rock had four sons: Ory, Miko, Gian, and Andre. Their family life was a private aspect of their public personas, though their shared artistic and intellectual pursuits were occasionally highlighted.

The marriage to Rock Drilon lasted for a significant period, but the couple eventually decided to separate. In 2004, they officially parted ways. Ces Drilon openly discussed seeking counseling during this period, emphasizing her desire for a clean separation with minimal impact on their children. She shared that she told her counselor, > "I’m not here to save my marriage, I want to separate cleanly and with the least damage to the kids." This approach underscored her commitment to co-parenting and maintaining a respectful relationship with her former husband for the sake of their children. Despite the separation, Rock Drilon continued to be a part of their children's lives, and the former couple maintained a cordial relationship, even collaborating on art exhibitions of their private collection in the past.

Following her separation from Rock Drilon, Ces Oreña-Drilon entered into a long-term relationship with Ricky Carandang, a fellow journalist and former Malacañang communications secretary. Their relationship began in 2008, shortly after Ces's widely publicized kidnapping ordeal. This period marked a new phase in her personal life, with Carandang providing support and companionship. Their partnership, while long-lasting, was characterized by a degree of independence; they did not live together, with Ces stating, "We never really lived together. We each had our own spaces, and would spend weekends at his place."

The relationship with Ricky Carandang endured for 13 years. They shared common interests, including a venture into organic farming with Vagabond Farms in Batangas. This shared project allowed them to explore a different facet of life away from the demanding world of media. Despite their professional and personal synergy, the COVID-19 pandemic brought unforeseen challenges to their relationship. The shift in routines and the intense introspection brought about by the lockdown highlighted underlying issues.

On March 10, 2021, Ces Oreña-Drilon and Ricky Carandang made the mutual decision to end their romantic relationship. Ces candidly revealed that the pandemic "uncovered the weaknesses in our relationship" and that they were "no longer nurturing each other." She also admitted to questioning if she was "settling" even before the pandemic. The breakup was emotionally challenging, as she had allowed herself to be vulnerable for over a decade. She sought therapy to process the hurt, acknowledging, > "I had to acknowledge that I was hurt." Despite the romantic split, they initially discussed continuing their business partnership related to the farm, but Ces ultimately decided to fully separate their ventures, embarking on her own wellness enterprise, Provenciana.

Currently, Ces Oreña-Drilon is single. She has openly stated that she is not actively seeking a new relationship but remains open to what the universe may bring. Her focus has shifted towards personal growth, her entrepreneurial endeavors with Provenciana, and her continued work in media, including hosting programs and exploring new roles like acting. She views her past relationships as formative experiences, stating, "don’t look at it as wasted years because they shaped you. They formed you. There were good things. Maybe there were bad things too, but it’s really part of life." Her journey reflects a woman who embraces change, learns from her experiences, and continues to evolve, finding fulfillment in her career, family, and personal pursuits.