Jelai Andres is officially starting a new chapter in her life after announcing that her marriage to rapper Jon Gutierrez has been annulled.
The actress-content creator shared the life update through a vlog on July 4, where she documented the emotional moment of breaking the news to her closest family and friends.
Before revealing the announcement, several of her friends jokingly assumed she was about to announce a pregnancy, prompting laughter since Jelai has been publicly single for years. When they finally learned that her marriage had officially been annulled, the mood quickly turned emotional.
"Kung alam niyo lang kung gaano niya katagal inintay 'to," Zeinab Harake said.
"Siyempre i-mamanifest natin 'yung kasal na pang-habangbuhay. Hindi 'yung prank relationship. Tama na tayo sa prank relationship, doon na tayo sa [seryoso]."
Jelai also opened about why she chose to remain single after separating from Jon, explaining that while she could have entered another relationship, she instead focused on healing and completing the annulment process.
"Pwede naman akong mag-jowa. Pero ako sa sarili ko, kumpleto kasi ako kahit wala siya. Hindi ko siya hinanap. After noon, naging masaya ako. Super saya ko," Jelai said.
"After ng napagdaanan ko, parang super saya ko. Kumpleto ako. Super mahal ko yung sarili ko."
Among those who celebrated with her were Buboy Villar, Sachzna Laparan, Kim Rodriguez, Kokoy De Santos, and other close friends and family.
Reflecting on what the annulment meant to her, Jelai admitted that while she had already healed emotionally, the legal process finally gave her the sense of closure she had long prayed for.
"Alam ko naman na healed na ako, pero [ito] 'yung pinaka-end."
One of the most emotional reactions came from Donnalyn Bartolome, who became tearful as she recalled witnessing how much pain Jelai endured during the darkest moments of her marriage.
"I'm so happy for you. Thank you, Lord," Donnalyn said.
The vlog also featured deeply personal moments, including footage of Jelai being prayed over and breaking down in tears after learning that the annulment had finally been granted, while her family comforted her.
Jelai and Jon first became a couple in 2015 and quickly rose to fame as a popular pair on social media. In 2016, Jelai publicly revealed that Jon had been unfaithful, although the two eventually reconciled the following year. They became engaged in 2017 before tying the knot at Fernwood Gardens in Tagaytay City on October 6, 2018.
Their marriage faced challenges soon after, with Jelai confirming their separation just six months later. They reconciled once more in 2020 after working together on a project, but by 2021, the couple separated again after Jelai accused Jon of infidelity for a second time. She later filed complaints for concubinage and violation of the Violence Against Women and Their Children Act.
Toward the end of the video, Jelai reflected on everything she had learned throughout the difficult chapter of her life.
"Masaya po ako kasi finally, officially, nawala na sa mundo 'yung kasal. [Ito 'yung] pinakamahirap na pinagdaanan ko na chapter ng buhay ko pero sobrang dami ko pong natutunan. Kuntento ako sa sarili ko na mag-isa lang ako. Alam niyo 'yung wala kang kaaway kundi sarili mo lang."
"Una, nakakuha ako ng peace of mind...naging masaya ako sa maliliit na bagay, na-enjoy ko 'yung [travelling], napansin ko 'yung mga taong nagca-care [sa akin], at lahat ng tao sa paligid ko gusto ko masaya lang."
Jelai likewise spoke about how her faith sustained her through years of pain and uncertainty.
"After ko iyakan 'yung mga tao na wala naman akong ginawang kasalanan sa kanila, nagdadasal talaga ako...sabi ko 'Lord, talaga bang nabuhay ako para may mga ibang tao na maging masaya?' Nag-reply naman Siya. Sabi Niya lang, 'Trust me.'"
Although she remained single throughout her healing journey, Jelai said she never truly felt alone because of the people who stood beside her.
She also revealed the lasting effects of what she went through.
"Ang hindi lang po naging okay – pero masaya ako talaga ngayon – 'yung Psychological report natin, 'yung medical report is [sinasabing] 'yung anxiety and depression po natin is forever na. Hindi na siya gagaling. But kaya naman natin, kakayanin natin. 'Yun lang 'yung pinaka-pangit na nangyari kasi forever na.
"Sana hindi na siya ma-trigger pero sa ngayon, kaya naman po natin. Naka-survive ako, 'yun yung pinaka-importante. Talagang nalungkot ako sa part na 'yun pero sa ngayon, super saya ko kasi 'yung annulment ko kasama siya sa prayers ko. Everyday, dinadasal ko, hinding hindi siya nawawala."
Looking back on everything she endured, Jelai said her faith helped her understand that some painful endings are also acts of protection.
As she concluded her vlog, Jelai encouraged viewers to really get to know the person they choose to spend their lives with, reminding them to value themselves and to trust God's guidance even during life's most painful seasons.
She also expressed gratitude to everyone who stood by her throughout the years, including her family, friends, supporters, and viewers who continuously prayed for her.
Despite everything that happened, Jelai asked her supporters not to bash Jon, saying she continues to pray for his healing and peace.
"Today, I choose peace, healing, and new beginnings. Here's to closing one chapter and embracing the next," she wrote.