China begins her journey through motherhood

CHINA vows to be a hands-on mom to baby Lucia Margarita Ysabel.

China Cojuangco and chef Gino Gonzalez are now proud parents of Lucia Margarita Ysabel. China gave birth last Aug. 20 at 12:32 a.m. to a six-lb., 11-oz. baby girl. I teased her and said she was now officially a hot mama.

Chins shared these postpartum thoughts with me: “What excites me the most are simple things like shopping for baby necessities. What scares me is getting the statement of account from my credit card (Hahaha!). Motherhood is a lifetime journey that will really change the way I am as a person. There are much more responsibilities that I have to face now. I think not only of myself but also of my baby. I get scared that I might drop Lucia while carrying her or I might not have enough milk to keep her little tummy full. My mom and my sisters haven’t really given me a deep pep talk on motherhood. We’re taking things step by step. But the way I see it, they are leaving it up to me on how to raise Lucia. They talk to me about being patient in breast-feeding. I want to be a hands-on mom and Lucia’s best friend. I will be in tune with the present generation but instill the right morals and values that my parents have taught me. I will set rules and limitations. I will raise her to be well-mannered, well-disciplined, respectful of elders and God-fearing.”

Gino echoes those same sentiments: “Being a dad is an inexplicable feeling! It’s a mixture of being happy, anxious and scared at the same time. But seeing Lucia makes me smile.” Congrats, China and Gino!

Welcome to the crazy yet wonderful world of parenthood.

Fave haven

Life is too short to spend too long in one place. That’s why I make it a point to go on a solo journey every now and then. My new “happy place” is Bellevue Bohol. It really is paradise found.  It’s fast becoming the fave haven of celebs in Bohol.

Recently, chef Luigi Muhlach held a cookout series in the resort. His dad, Aga, joined him for some father-and-son bonding.

Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera visited the resort for the Sandugo festival.

Bellevue will be mounting a triathlon event (“Defy 123”) on Oct.13 (https://www.swimbikerun.ph/2013/05/defy-123-triathlon-bellevue-resort-bohol-race-info/). On Nov. 25, there will be a grand celebration of its first anniversary. Allow me to thank my “B fam” for the best vacay ever: the three cool top honchos Ryan, Dustin and Patrick Chan, Suzette Morelos, Erwyn Damasig, Mulan Demecillo,  Rommel Gonzales, Sheila Oyao, Shirley Vidaurrazaga, Homer  Dioneda, Erwin Abueva and Ivory Legados.

I am still in a Bohol state of mind because of your hospitality and kindness. Thanks for giving me a taste of la belle vie!

Friends again

Many controversies ago, Claudine Barretto and I were gravely at odds. But when I bumped into her manager, Shirley Kuan, a few months after she went Dolly-bashing, I was the one who made the first move and told her that I hoped we could just forget the whole issue. I never retaliated because I knew that she was just doing her job to protect her ward.

CHEF Luigi and dad Aga Muhlach went bonding in Bohol.

It was so heartwarming to finally make peace with Claud at the mini-presscon that her indefatigable lawyer, Ferdie Topacio, hosted for her.

I was so touched when she told me, “I never got mad at you because you already planted a good seed in me long before. I hope you can give me a chance to be your friend again.”

I could feel the sincerity in her voice. We enjoyed our girl bonding so much, that we almost lost track of time. She said she was relieved to be “free” from Raymart Santiago but disappointed at how he and his brother Randy were handling matters. “Gentlemen should not talk too much,” she sighed. “Raymart hit my weakest spot— our kids—so it has made me stronger. I will fight for what’s best for my children.”

After all the media coverage, Ferdie, Claud, her close friends and I  enjoyed singing the night away. As Claud sang “Got to Believe in Magic” and “The Last Time I Felt Like This,” I could sense that even if her arms were empty, now that Raymart was no longer around to hug, her heart remained full of hope for happier tomorrows.

Thank you, Claud, for showing me that friendship is sweeter the second time around.