Cool biz moms Lotlot and Marjorie

JANINE Gutierrez (left) and Lotlot de Leon

To commemorate Mother’s Day, the Inquirer sat down with two of the coolest moms in show biz—actresses Lotlot de Leon and Marjorie Barretto.

The two actresses have so much in common: Both have four kids each—three girls and a boy; both went through highly publicized breakups with their actor husbands and have managed to survive, and both are passionate about cooking.

Lotlot and Marjorie, along with Janice de Belen, are the guest celebrity moms who will collaborate with the culinary artisans of Spiral at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza in offering special treats for other awesome mothers on their special day.

Lotlot de Leon

For Lotlot de Leon, breaking up with husband of 13 years Ramon Christopher was the hardest decision she had to make.

The actress said this was because of their children—Janine, 26; Jessica, 21; Diego, 19, and Maxine, 16. “As a mom, I had to think of the effects it would have on the kids. I was worried that they would not be able to accept it, and that they would rebel, turn to drugs and quit school. I would surely take the blame, because I was the one who decided to leave,” said Lotlot.

She and Ramon Christopher legally separated in 2008. “It wasn’t working out for me anymore. I had to do it because I was losing myself already.”

As a mom, Lotlot said the one thing that hurt her the most was having to leave her children. “I’m not going to justify my action,” she said of moving out of the Gutierrez home in New Manila, Quezon City. “I don’t think any mother would want to leave her child behind, but it was what I thought was best for my kids. As a parent, I didn’t want them to give up the lifestyle that they were used to.”

The daughter of veteran actors Nora Aunor and Christopher de Leon said she didn’t have money of her own at the time she decided to leave the conjugal home.

“I had no one to depend on. My mom was living in the United States then. As a daughter, I didn’t want to burden my parents, although my dad was very much present,” she shared with the Inquirer. “I would often go to him for advice. He told me to fix the marriage if I could, to hold on for as long as I could.”

When asked to describe each of her children, Lotlot said Janine was “the disciplined one. When she wants something, she works hard to get it.” Jessica is “more relaxed. She likes to travel. She’s mature,” the proud mom said.

Diego is in third year college. “He wants to be a professional basketball player,” she said.

Lotlot and Maxine celebrated Mother’s Day early in Boracay last week. “She’s the reliable one. If you need something done, you can count on her to do that for you,” said Lotlot.

She has the most sensible advice to single moms who are currently going through tough times. “Be honest to your kids about how you feel. The reason my children and I are OK is that I never hid anything from them,” she pointed out. “I try to make them understand that their mommy is human, capable of making mistakes.”

Marjorie Barretto

“It’s the best role I have,” said Marjorie about being a mother.

Majorie has a daughter with former actor Kier Legazpi named Dani, 22. She has three kids with comedian Dennis Padilla—Julia, 19, Claudia, 17 and Leon, 13.

“Being a mom is very rewarding. The best part is being with the kids, especially at their age now. It’s like I have my own barkada,” said the 41-year-old mom. “I can tell them whatever problems I have, because they’re now old enough to understand.”

What was difficult, Marjorie said, was having to raise all of them on her own. “The financial aspect is actually the most simple part. What is hard is to be a parent to these people with different personalities.”

Marjorie said Dani is the most secretive of her kids. “She’s not one to open up to me about everything, but she obeys all the time. Julia is the one who is very open. She gives good advice. They tease her that she’s like 45 years old when she talks,” Marjorie said.

She described Claudia as “independent and responsible, even as a young kid. You don’t have to pack her things for her when you travel, or worry about her travel documents. She knows all those things,” said Marjorie. “Leon is not clingy, but he can be malambing. You can count on him for anything. He’s very smart but hates math.”

Marjorie said staying married to Dennis was more difficult than the actual separation. “Even my kids were quick to adjust (to the breakup). It was a great relief for everybody. I’m glad that I did it sooner than later because at least that was less traumatic for my children. You see, when you’re miserable in your marriage, you tend to neglect your kids.”

Marjorie admitted the she and Dennis were still not talking to each other. “It’s better that way,” she said. “I know bitterness is not good, but it is he who refuses to communicate. The breakup was my choice.” They’ve been separated for almost 10 years.

“For single moms, make your children the reason to keep fighting and to survive every day,” she said. “Just be the best mom you can be while they’re young, because they grow up very fast.”