MAINE'S POV
Rise and grind!
Ngayong araw ang scheduled interview namin sa "Mornings with the Family". Isa itong talkshow hosted by Ms. Pia and Ms. Pauleen.
After we flew back here in the Philippines kasi, nakatanggap kami ng call mula sa show and we simply agreed. This is gonna be our first ever interview as a family since ipanganak ko si SethGab. Marami rin namang show ang nag-iinvite sa amin for an interview before kaso the schedule of my "not so busy" husband doesn't fit. Minsan naman sa schedule ko may conflict dahil after I stop accepting projects from showbiz, pinanindigan ko na talaga ang pagiging wife, mommy and manager ng mga business namin. Ngayon lang nagkaroon ng chance kaya we made sure to grab it lalo na at si Dabarkads Pauleen at Miss P ang mga host.
At exactly 8 in the morning we arrived at the studio. Nandun na sila Ms. P and Ate Poleng.
"Hello" bati ko sa kanila tska bumeso.
"Meng! Nice to see you again" sabi nila.
"Oo nga eh. Ilang months na rin since na last kayong nakabisita sa bahay. Mga ilang buwan ba 'yun, 1 month? Hahaha" pabiro kong sagot na ikinatawa nila. "SethGab say hi to your Titas" utos ko sa aking anak
"Hi Tita Pia and Tita Pauleen. Love you" he greeted and kiss the two of them.
"Awwww. How sweet" both of them said in chorus.
"Yes Tita I'm already big. I am now a kuya!" he cheerfully said.
"Oh yes you are" magiliw na sagot ni Miss P tska ito kinandong.
Hindi naman nagtagal ay pumasok si RJ buhat-buhat ang bunsong anak na cute na cute sa suot nitong Minnie Mouse costume.
"Uyy Alden! Long time no see kahit nagkita lang tayo sa EB kahapon. Hahaha" natatawang sabi ni Ate Poleng.
"Oo nga Ate Pau" natatawang sagot din ni RJ.
"Oh Little Meng, you're also here. Ang cute naman ng baby na 'yan." nanggigigil na sabi pa nito. "Pakiss nga ako" she said then kissed the cheeks of our baby girl "Hmmm. Ang bango bango pa" dagdag pa nito. Ngumiti naman si Cadee na animo naiintindihan ang paligid niya na lalong ikinatuwa ni Ate Poleng
Napatawa na lang kaming mag-asawa. Hayyyy, ang mga little charmer talaga namin, they never fail to make us proud.
Ilang saglit lang ay pinatawag na kami para mag-ayos. No worries kasi kasama naman namin si Ate Beth at Nana para mag-alaga dun sa dalawa habang inaayusan kami. I wore a long sleeved navy blue dress that seems to be sewed especially just for me bc it fits my figure perfectly.
"All set?" tanong ni RJ pagpasok nito sa dressing room. He is wearing a white polo and denim pants with a leather jacket that matches my outfit.
"Wow! Beautiful as ever" he said as if he was mesmerized by my beauty.
"Nakoo tigil-tigilan mo ako Mister" natatawa at naiiling kong sabi sa kanya tska binuhat si Cadee na cute na cute sa suot nitong navy blue din na dress with floral details.
"For reals nga Mommy" pamimilit pa niya "You too baby. You're beautiful like Mommy" ngumiti naman ito bilang sagot sa kanyang Daddy.
"Mom can I wear this?" tanong ng anak ko showing his black shades. Naka-matchy outfit siya sa Daddy niya. He is wearing a denim polo matched with denim pants and a leather jacket plus his black boots. Aba may taste talaga sa fashion 'tong anak ko manang-mana sa tatay niya. Hahaha
Oozing with cuteness ang asawa at mga anak ko! Jusko I'm so blessed talaga.
"Okay. By the way you look gwapo" I said at ginulo ko ang buhok niya like a lil kiddo.
"Mom. Not my hair" Sus RJ na RJ talaga. Hahaha
Hindi naman nagtagal may kumatok sa dressing room "Stand by na po. We'll start in a few" the staff informed us.
"Okay. Salamat" sagot ni RJ. "Let's go. Let's go" masigla nitong sabi tska kinuha si Cadee sa akin. Tumayo na rin si SethGab sa pagkakaupo tska kami pumunta sa backstage.
Gaya nung sabi ng staff, in a few ay nagsimula na ang show.
"Nandito na ang paborito niyong programa tuwing umaga kasama ang naggagandahang mga host. Let's all welcome, Miss Pia and Miss Pauleen!" sabi ng voice over na siyang cue sa pagpasok ng dalawang host.
"Hello" bati nila at naghiyawan naman ang studio audience na buhay na buhay. "Happy talaga ang morning lalo kapag nakatutukot ka sa" panimula ni Miss P "Mornings with the Family" sabay nilang sabi.
"Ayan. Today is special kasi for the first time live tayo!" masiglang sabi ni Ate Poleng.
"Tama. At hindi lang 'yan espesyal din ang ating bisita ngayon araw" sagot naman ni Miss P.
"Ha?" animo gulat na gulat na sabi ni Ate Poleng. "Nakoo. Sino kaya itong bisita natin?" tanong pa niya.
"Wag na nating patagalin pa dahil alam kong lahat ay excited na! Please welcome, the Faulkerson Family" nagtiliian ang audience ng malaman nila kung sino ang guest.
Lumabas kami from backstage. Hawak ni RJ ang bunso naming habang si SethGab naman ay nakahawak sa aking kamay.
"Good morning Maine and Alden" bati nila tska bumeso sa amin.
"Good morning" sagot naman namin.
"Ayyy! Ang cuuuuuute!" tili pa ni Ate Poleng "Ayan bumati na muna kayo sa lahat"
"Hello po. Good morning" masiglang bati ko.
"Ayan good morning po sa lahat" bati rin ni RJ. "Anak you greet everyone" utos nito kay SethGab.
Tumayo naman ito sa harapan hawak ang mic tska bumati ng "Good morning" sabay inalis nito ang shades na suot niya dahilan para lalong umingay ang studio audience.
"Artistahin talaga ang batang ito. May pinagmanahan" natatawang sabi ni Miss P.
"Cadee you greet everyone too" sabi ko rin sa anak ko na hindi naman ako pinansin.
"Ayy nagsungit na" natatawang sabi nila.
"Everyone meet our princess, Cadee Soleil Mendoza-Faulkerson!" proud na proud na sabi ni RJ. Bigla namang humagikgik ang anak ko. Ang daya talaga nito. Bale eto ang first official TV appearance niya.
"You may now take your seat" Miss P said as she gestured the couch placed there.
Inalalayan naman ako ni RJ sa pag-upo. Nasa gitna namin si SethGab at hawak pa rin ni RJ si Cadee.
"It has been years since your last interview and we just got lucky when we called you yesterday that you agreed to have an interview with us. AND take note kasama pa ang cute na cute nilang 3-month old baby na si Cadee at ang little bae na si SethGab" nagagalak na sabi ni Ate Poleng.
"Oh my gawd! It is such an honor to be chosen as your guest for today in your show. Imagine guys ah, Miss P at Ate Pau na ito. Whooooh!" umeemote kong sabi na ikinatawa ng lahat.
"Ikaw talaga hanggang ngayon makulit ka pa rin" nangingiting sabi ni Miss P. "Alden ganito ba talaga 'to kahit sa bahay niyo?" tanong niya sa asawa ko na buhat buhat pa rin ang aming prinsesa.
"Medyo Miss P. Mas seryoso lang siya kapag nasa bahay kami. Kumbaga kasi siya 'yung 'Master of the Household' eh" maikli ngunit malinaw na paliwanag ni RJ.
"As the 'Master of the Household' eka nga ni Alden, paano mo hina-handle ung role mo?" tanong ni Ate Poleng sa akin.
"That is actually the reason why I took a break for a year from showbiz Ate Pau, Miss P. Must I admit, hindi kasi ako lumaking gumagawa ng mga gawaing bahay kasi may helpers kami. Syempre as a wife I dreamt to be, gusto ko na magampanan ko ng maayos ung duty ko. I really took time to learn those household chores. Kung ano ba ung mga kelangang i-consider and such things" pag-amin ko.
"Nagpaka-nanay na talaga. Pero after getting married, you didn't have helpers diba? Why?" Miss P asked.
"Meron naman. Before, we have Nanay Pearly tapos may dalawang helper din bahay, si Ate Nena at Ate Pokwang then we also have a driver si Mang Roger" I clarified. "But now, wala na si Nanay Pearly kasi umuwi na siya sa probinsiya nila. Pero we have Nana for Cadee and Ate Beth for SethGab" then finocus sa camera si Nana at Ate Beth na nasa front line ng audience. "Ayan. They're also here today. Sila 'yung lagi naming kasama kapag may lakad kami kasi they help me with the kids. Tapos apat na helpers sa bahay, ung dalawa dati then nadagdag si Kuya Naldo which is our security and si Kuya Mak para sa maintenance ng heavy tasks." pagpapakilala ko sa mga helpers at kasama namin sa bahay.
"Oh. Okay naman pala" tumatango-tangong sabi pa nila. But of course they know that kasi they were like family na rin eh. Kumbaga, we're just clarifying things para sa lahat. "Maine for once and for all. Was that also the reason kung bakit pansamantala kang tumigil sa pag-aartista?" diretsahang tanong ni Atr Poleng.
Naging palaisipan kasi sa mga fans ang bigla kong pagkawala sa showbiz magmula ng ikasal ako though hindi naman sila nagtanong. I guess naintindihan naman nila 'yung reason kung bakit.
"YES Ate Pau" I answered without hesitations. "Gusto ko kasing lagi akong nandyan para sa anak namin lalo na at growing years. Mahalaga ang bawat milestone kasi minsan lang 'yun eh. Lagi ko ngang sinasabi, hindi ko kailanman ipagpapalit ang oras ko para sa mga anak at pamilya ko para sa TF. Ganoin!" I told them at nagpalakpakan naman ang studio audience.
"Kapag Nanay ka na, magbabago talaga ang pananaw mo sa buhay. Tama naman. Iba ang may anak at may asawa" Miss P added. "We witnessed how you were as an artist and you are undeniably a gem in this industry. BUT hindi alam ng lahat how you transform from being in the limelight to a wife and a mother. Napakabuti pong ina at asawa nitong si Maine"
pagpuri nila sa akin.
"Thank you" nakangiti kong sabi.
"Ayan mga kapuso, patikim pa lang 'yan. Magbabalik pa tayo kasama ang Faulkerson family. Tutok lang!" they cut the show for a commercial break.
Hindi nagtagal ay live na ulit kami.
"We're back dito pa rin sa Mornings with the Family" Miss P started.
"Si Alden naman ang tanungin natin" naeexcite na sabi ni Miss P. Hawak ko na si Cadee dahil nangangawit na si RJ.
"Parang sanay na sanay na sa camera si Cadee. Look oh super behave lang siya" finocus naman sa aming bunso ang camera. "Ang cuteeee" hindi mapigilang sabi ni Ate Poleng.
"Oh Alden how is it being a father to these adorable kiddos?" tanong ni Miss P.
"Proud ako Miss P. Syempre ganito ba naman kagwapo at kaganda ang mga anak ko. And we're just so happy that SethGab is becoming the kid we want him to be. There's nothing more I could ask for" I wouldn't deny what he said kasi ganun din naman ang nararamdaman ko.
"This family is so perfect and so blessed naman talaga. Pero I'm sure ito talaga gustong malaman ng lahat. How do you deal with them? Kay SethGab muna. Could you share with us some stories?" tanong pa rin ni Miss P.
"Our SethGab is just like a typical kid of his age. He loves outdoor activities as much as he love working under the camera. At 3, we have him enrolled for swimming classes then may mga magazine covers and TVCs na rin siya nagawa at his age" pagkukwento ng asawa ko. Nagfflash naman sa LED ang iba't ibang photos niya na ngayon lang namin shinare sa lahat.
"Would you allow him na pasukin ang mundo ng showbiz like the both of you?" Ate Pau asked.
"Hindi pa po namin napag-uusapan pero we'll see kapag nandiyan na" sagot ko naman.
"Okay. So going back. Pakituloy ang kwento mo Alden" baling ulit nila kay RJ.
"Whenever na may gusto si SethGab, he seldom ask his Mom. It was always me" dagdag pa niya.
"Because Mom always says 'no'." sabi ni SethGab tska nagpout.
"Kasi Miss P, Ate Poleng kapag may gusto siya may paawa effect pa 'yan sa Daddy niya. Eto namang Daddy, he can't resist. Ako talaga ung laging 'no. no' kasi I want him to learn abt the importance of needs rather than wants. The last toy na pinabili niya sa Daddy niya pinag-awayan namin" I explained my side.
"Bakit naman?" totally confused, they asked.
"It was a remote controlled collectible toy car that costs P40,000. Nag-paawa effect lang siya sa Daddy niya eto naman binili agad. Eh sobrang dami niyang toys. Punung-puno ung playroom niya ng mga toys coming from everyone" I said.
"Eh kaya naman pala. Nakooo ikaw talaga Alden!" kunwaring kukurutin nila ito kaya nagtawanan ang lahat.
"Worth it naman Miss P. Good boy naman tska achiever ang big kuya namin eh. Right kuya?" pagdedepensa pa niya.
"Yes Daddy" sabi nito tska pa tumayo at nagtatatalon.
"Can Tita Pau ask big kuya for a dance?" tanong ni Ate Pau. Agad-agad naman itong pumunta sa gitna tska sumayaw.
"Ahhhh. That was so wonderful. Come and give your Titas a kiss" sabi pa ng mga ito. Agad namang sumunod ang aming anak.
"He's so talented at manang-mana sa inyo na game na game pagdating sa mga ganyan" they said praising our son.
"One more question, how was it raising a boy?" asked by Miss P.
"At first mahirap. As in late at night o kaya super early in the morning tatawag ako kila Nanay just to cry. Kapag hindi ko siya mapatahan pati ako umiiyak na lang din. In the end, dalawa na kaming pinapatahan ni Alden. Pero thankful ako kasi naging madali siya bc of my husband. Also, nandiyan naman ung family namin to guide us and prayers lang din" nakangiti kong sabi.
"Miss P for the past 5 years lagi siyang umiiyak tuwing birthday ni SethGab ngayon lang hindi. Lagi niyang sinasabi na away niya pang lumaki 'yung anak namin. Sobrang bilis naman kasi ng panahon" natatawang kwento pa ni RJ.
With eyes shining they look at us "I can't blame her anyway. Ganun din ako eh" dahilan para magtawanan lahat "Pero alam niyo nakakatuwa kasi you're really showing everyone what is family all about. Ngayon, paano niyo hinahandle as parents kapag may mga hindi magandang nagagawa si SethGab" they asked one more.
"Kailangan we're both on the same side kapag may mali siyang nagawa. Kasi hindi puede na 'yung isa ay hindi favor sa ginawa niya tapos ung isa itotolerate siya. Walang matututunan ang bata kapag ganun. Kailangan magkakampi talaga kami" I explained.
"Also, hindi kami in favor sa pagbubuhat ng kamay para turuan at disiplinahin ang isang bata. Kapag may mali siya, we talk to him. We say na, anak what you did was wrong tska namin ipapaliwanag sa kaniya ung situation at kung anong tama. Hindi kailangang sigawan ang bata para matuto siya. It takes a few talks to correct their mistakes but it takes a lifetime to heal a broken spirit" dagdag pa ng asawa ko.
"Palakpakan naman po natin sila" sabi nila Miss P at nagpalakpakan naman lahat. "Ngayon pa lang nakikita naming lalaking mabuting bata ang mga anak niyo katulad ninyo. Ang ganda ng foundation niyo" naiiyak pang sabi ni Ate Poleng at Miss P.
"Tutok lang kayo mga ka-family. Naku, I'm sure marami pa kayong matutunan about parenting sa pagbabalik namin" that and we now headed for a commercial break.
Habang on break pa kami, pumunta muna kami sa backstage kasi masyadong maeexpose sa light si Cadee which is not good for a baby tska pinag-milk ko na rin siya kasi nagsisimula na siyang magtantrums.
After a while, we're back and the cameras are rolling once again.
"Mga ka-family nagbabalik tayo para sa mas marami pang story about the Faulkerson family. So let's continue" spiel ni Miss P.
"Ngayon naman, can you share with us some stories about this cute little princess?" Ate Poleng asked. "Almost 6 years bago nasundan si SethGab. Bakit nagtagal? Did you planned it?"
"We wanted to focus muna kay SethGab as first time parents and he's on his growing years pa kasi. We just wanted to enjoy every moment with him. And yes, we planned it. Sobrang saya sa pakiramdam at nakakaproud gaya nga ng sabi ni Alden. 3 months na 'yung anak ko. 3 months na rin akong puyat. Minsan nakakapagod pero makita mo lang na mag-smile sa'yo 'yung anak mo, okay lang puyat na ulit ako. Mga ganung bagay" I happily shared.
"Awwww. Si Alden naman tanungin natin. How was it having Cadee?" they're all focused to my husband.
"Priceless. I mean blessing talaga eh. I have a son first then a daughter. I also have an amazing wife. Parang kahit pagod sa work and photoshoot, magmamadali kang umuwi just to see them smile then masasabi mo na lang na ah worth it ang pagod ko" he said before he shed a happy tear.
"Nakoo Ate. Malabo atang maligawan ang anak namin. Sabihan lang ng pretty, beautiful at cute si Cadee gusto na niyang kumuha ng Rogelio para dito" pambubuking ko.
"Okay lang 'yun. Any man who's worth it of our daughter's love will rise to meet her. Pero jusko po. Wag muna ngayon. Pag 25 ganun puede na" kinakabahang sabi nito na siyang ikinatawa ng lahat.
"Grabe ka sa 25 Alden" sabi ni Ate Poleng.
"Kuya, do you love Cadee?" tanong ni Miss P kay SethGab.
"Yes" he answered without hesitations.
"Is she your love?" tanong ni Ate Poleng.
"No. She's my princess" sabi pa nito. Everyone seemed to be inlove with our son by now.
"Ang cute" pagpuri pa ni Miss P. "May bakod na kaagad. Hahahaha"
"I think everyone's charmed by Cadee. Everyday sobrang daming gifts na dumadating sa bahay. Naloloka na nga ako minsan sa dami. We converted the other room to a playroom for Cadee kahit di pa siya nakakapag-play masyado. Doon namin nilalagay lahat ng gifts para sa kanya" I added.
"After Cadee, are you still planning to have another baby?" napangiti naman kami sa tanong nila.
"Gusto ko isa pa. I want 3 children kasi ever since. Pero kung ibbless kami ng more than 3, why not diba? Ang sarap kayang maging Nanay" I answered directly.
"Tama. Tska blessing ang mga anak. Okay. Last question bago tayo mag-commercial break. Kung may isang bagay na gusto niyong ibigay or ituro sa mga anak niyo, ano iyon?" they asked.
"Ikaw na muna" my husband said being a gentleman.
"Siguro sa akin 'yung TLC, Tender Loving Care. Ayaw kong dumating ung point na iisipin ng mga anak ko na hindi ko sila mahal, na mas mahal ko sa ganito kaysa kay kwan. Kailangan pantay-pantay silang lahat" I answered truthfully.
"Ako naman simple lang. I want to give them the best and everything they deserve" maikli ngunit meaningful na sagot ni RJ.
"Ayan. Narinig na natin ang kanilang mga sagot. Kapit lang at marami pang iba"
Commercial break ulit. Konting retouch then go na ulit.
"Aweee. So perfect! This was just 2 weeks ago right?" Miss P asked as our family photo in Paris was shown in the LED screen.
"Ah yes. It was our 7th year annivesary and SethGab's 6th birthday celebration in Paris. We stayed there for like 3 weeks" my husband answered.
"It was good na despite of those busy schedules talagang may time kayo sa family niyo na sa totoo lang mahirap balansehin 'yun" Ate Poleng commented.
"Kaya naman. Basta love and dedication lang" I followed up.
"Sa 7 years ng married life, were there any problems? Ano ung pinakamalaki na kinaharap niyo so far?" with that I think of everything in our married life before I came up with an answer.
"So far wala naman. More of misunderstandings lang minsan. Kasi I believe na kapag maganda ung foundation niyo, walang kahit ano mang bagay na makakapagpatumba nito ng ganun ganun na lang" I said.
"Tska everytime na may problema kami, we talked about it agad-agad and we do not show our kids na nagtatalo kami kasi we don't want them to grow up in a chaotic environment" pagpapaliwanag pa ng asawa ko.
"Ganun naman talaga dapat. Pero Maine, does this mean na babalik ka na sa showbiz?" maintrigang tanong sa akin.
"Hindi ko pa po kayang iwan ang bunso namin. Pag-uusapan pa po naming mag-asawa kung anong desisyon. Siguro pag lumaki pa siya ng konti tska natin itatry ulit. Tska busy din ako running those 7 branches each of our shop and resto" I finally said to stop the speculations.
"Speaking of those businesses, you can plug them here today. Sige na go" excited pang sabi ni Miss P.
"So ayun, mga ka-family The Closet po open siya everyday from 8am-7pm and pati ang EATs True everyday po yan from 7am-9pm. Hands on po kaming mag-asawa sa mga business namin and malay niyo one day makita niyo kami doon. Come and visit us soon!" pag-eendorse kuno ko.
"Ayan. The Closet and EATs True mga ka-family ha" pagpapaalala ulit nila.
"Maine and Alden, may God bless you even more. Nakakatuwang makita kayong masayang-masaya sa buhay na mayroon kayo ngayon. Congratulations and Thank You for lending us some of your time this morning. I'm sure maraming natutunan ang viewers natin mula sa inyo" they said then handed me a boquet of flowers.
"Walang anuman. Salamat din for having our little family here" I answered.
"Isang episode na naman po ang natapos kasama ang Faulkerson family. Samahan niyo po ulit kami bukas sa panibago na namang umaga. Ito ang .. " pagtatapos ni Miss P at Ate Poleng.
"MORNINGS WITH THE FAMILY" sabay-sabay naming sabi before the cameras stopped rolling.
Nakakatuwa lang dahil super behave ng mga anak namin. After that we headed home and spent the day for our family.
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Comments and Constructive Criticism are well appreciated.
All the love,
@keiraesqueza