Amy Perez (MNS Photo)
MANILA (Mabuhay) — TV host and radio commentator Amy Perez always makes time for her kids despite the demands of her career.
A hands-on mother, she fetches her three boys Adi, Kyle and Seyah from school and bonds with them after work. To them, she’s simply mom though they are sometimes reminded that they have a celebrity in their midst.
“Ang nakakatuwa sa mga boys, hindi namin napapag-usapan (’yung trabaho ko) pero even si Adi – who is now 18 years old – minsan ’pag nasa labas kami, may babati sa akin, ‘Hi, T’yang Amy.’ Sasabihin ni Adi, ‘Mom, you know her?’ Sabi ko, ‘No Adi, it’s part of mama’s job.’ Sabi niya, ‘Ay, oo nga pala, artista ka’,” Amy shared at a press conference.
Both Amy and husband Carlo Castillo are TV personalities; the latter, a reporter on News5.
“They keep forgetting that kasi ’pag nasa bahay ako talaga, ang alam lang nila nanay ako na nagtatrabaho, ganyan. So kapag nakikita nila ako at si Carlo sa TV… naaaliw sila,” she said.
Amy and Carlo tied the knot last year after living together for a time.
Despite sharing parenting duties, both make sure they have enough quality time to themselves. Amy shared, “(Meron kaming) very private moments na kaming dalawa lang, either manonood ng sine or mag-discover ng new restaurant. Importante ’yun para sa ’min.”
In terms of finances, the 46-year-old said they don’t have a problem that she earns more than him.
“Basta sa kanya, pinu-fulfill niya at ginagawa niya ’yung duties niya as a father. Hindi namin pinag-aawayan ’yun (pera), basta lagi niya lang akong gina-guide sa pagba-budget kasi mas magaling siya kaysa sa akin pagdating du’n.”
Amy disclosed they are undergoing the adoption process under the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for Abi to assume the Castillo surname.
Adi’s father is Amy’s ex-husband, Brix Ferraris.
“Nu’ng una, sinabi talaga ni Abi (sa amin) ’yung mga fears niya. Ang una n’yang tanong, ‘Ano na ang mangyayari sa akin? Sila Castillo, ako hindi.’ So, in-explain naman namin na, ‘The reason why kailangan kang i-adopt ni daddy para lahat kayo in terms of whatever, kung ano man ang mangyari sa amin ng daddy mo, lahat kayo pantay-pantay.’”
Amy admitted it took three years to iron out everything because Adi is not used to having a dad around. He was six-year-old when first introduced to Carlo.
“Nu’ng una sabi ni Adi, ‘It’s so bad trip pala to have a dad.’ Kasi ang daming dos and don’ts. So eventually, nu’ng ma-realize niya slowly na Carlo is always there sa lahat ng mga activities niya, sa mga needs niya, sabi niya, ‘Wow, it’s also cool and great to have dad din pala.’”
To make things work, Amy always hangs out with Abi once a week and sets another date with the whole family. They hope to complete the adoption process this year. (MNS)