Maricel Laxa-Pangilinan is known to most of us as a movie and TV star. Nowadays, however, her time on screen is reduced to appearances in commercials as she finds herself in a new role: that of wife to Anthony Pangilinan and mom to Ella (12), Donny (11), Hannah (9), and Benj (7). She’s one that takes her role to heart as an advocacy. She heads The Parenting Company, and she and her team give seminars and events and are currently doing the mall rounds until September. Here, she talks to MomCenter about her life as a parent and as an advocate of good parenting.
Q.: How did you spend Mother’s Day? Anything special your family did for you?
A.: Anthony and I went to Pearl Farm in Davao then came home to meet up with the kids at The Fort to run in the open fields and grab a bite before they took me to the airport bound for China, where I spent Mother’s Day with my parents and foster parents (who took care of me in the States during my high school years). We went on a cruise on the Yangtze River.
Q.: How do you balance work and raising a family?
A.: We prioritize on four areas: the relational, professional, spiritual and personal areas of our lives so there’s a bit of balance. We coordinate and make choices then live with the consequences. “Walang sisihan (no pointing fingers),” we have this motto to make sure our family gets the best of us and not what’s left of us when we get home from work. We integrate our work to involve our family so we get to do things together.
Q.: What are your non-negotiables when work beckons but there are issues at home?
A.: When it comes to showbiz commitments, we make sure we can be proud of what we do to our kids–they can get to watch what projects I do. Transparency is important.
There are always issues about our use of time but that’s life. We check and balance each other to make up for time spent outside the family but we remind each other, especially the kids, that work is important and that we must be excellent at it and maintain integrity (while doing it).
Q.: What are the fun things about being a mom?
A.: To see my kids grow up to be beautiful individuals with distinct personalities, to learn from their wise interpretations of life and to work out our differences and come out whole. It’s fun to share the responsibility with a husband/dad who shares the same passion about family. I find it a great privilege to have the chance to be a part of their molding and be showered by their love and trust
Q.: What do you find most difficult about it?
A.: They mirror what I do and say. Living with their differences and balancing things with them, setting boundaries especially when they are smart about trying to get around rules, etc. When they give me beautiful eyes and they’re not allowed to do certain things or eat certain foods in certain days… ang hirap! (It’s hard!) He he!
Q.: What will, in 10 years, make you say that you did a good job in being a mom?
A.: When my kids have a deep passion for God and are pursuing things that help provide for the needs of others. When I don’t have to nag them to see us but they are drawn to come home and be with us and love to cuddle at that age–they promised they’ll never be embarrassed to show us their love even if they’re old… It’s really not about me. Many times I am awed at how they are, how they think and interact. I am just a channel, not about me but about doing my best to take care of what God has entrusted to me: my children, my husband, our home, our advocacies. I want to be able to see Him smile with what he has given for me to care for His glory.
