Sarah Lahbati and family figure in multi-car accident

ON DECEMBER 14, actress Sarah Lahbati shared worrying news to her fans: she and her family had been involved in a multi-vehicle accident.

Including photos of what happened, she revealed that they were driving along Skyway when they collided with two other cars. 

In a statement she posted to her Instagram, she reassured fans that she – along with everyone else involved – was okay and that there were no casualties.

“Today, we were given a second chance,” Lahbati wrote in a message she sent to her Broadcast channel, which consists of over 33,800 members. 

“Just when you think everything you worry about should be the center of the world, you’re reminded of God’s lessons, promises, and the bigger picture. All you have to do is take a step back and let Him guide you.”

She continued to explain what had happened, then said that she was not sharing her story so that others would feel bad for her.

She wrote: “I’m sharing this story because this year has been the toughest of my life, yet I am reminded of God’s goodness, His second chances, and His promises. Things could have been much worse, yet my family and I are alive and well.” 

“La vie est belle. Life goes on.” 

Facing challenges

In her post, Lahbati made mention of the challenges she’s been facing in the past year.

Recently, many have started to speculate that she and her husband, Richard Gutierrez, had split up, especially after his mother, Annabelle Rama, had told ABS-CBN News that he and his kids were staying with her.

“Si Richard, nasa bahay ko ngayon, one month na,” she’d said.

“Pero unti-unti siyang lumilipat ng gamit sa Alabang. Lilipat na siya after Christmas… hindi pa ako pwede magsalita, pero sasabihin ko sa’yo – si Richard, nasa akin ngayon.”

These rumors surfaced after people started seeing the couple together less and less, whether it be on social media or during important events and family gatherings.

Lahbati and Gutierrez married in March 2020 and have since created a family together with their children, Zion and Kai. 

The public may not fully know the challenges that Lahbati and her family are going through, but one thing she’s shown despite it all is grace and poise. 

Following her accident, she posted Instagram stories with her close friend, fellow actress Sofia Andres, as their children enjoyed a playdate together. 

Amid everything she continues to put on a happy face, doing her best to be there for her kids above all else.