MANILA – “Behind all your stories is always your mother’s story, because hers is where yours begin.”

Actress Lotlot de Leon used this Mitch Albom quote as she shared photos of her reunion with her biological mother, Eva Rodriguez, after 26 years.

The two met in California last August 19, according to the entertainment website Pep, but the photos were posted only on Tuesday.

“Thank you, Mama Eva,” the actress wrote.

A post shared by Balotski ☀️🌝💫 (@mslotlotdeleon) on Aug 21, 2017 at 8:07pm PDT

It was in 1991 when De Leon first met Rodriguez in California, where the latter is based as a government worker.

Speaking with Pep, De Leon said she is happy to have had the chance to see Rodriguez again after years of communicating via e-mail.

It was also the first time for her kids, Janine and Diego, to see their biological grandmother.

“[I’m] happy that she met the kids, ‘cause I want the kids to also know their roots,” De Leon said.

De Leon is the adopted child of screen veterans Nora Aunor and Christopher de Leon, who were formerly married.