Expectant mom Amy Perez

Amy Perez

Due to a delicate pregnancy, doctors advised television host-actress Amy Perez to reduce her weekly workload.

As a precautionary measure, she decided to take a break from her morning talk show on TV5, “Face to Face.”

Turning emotional, Amy said at a recent press con that she feels torn about leaving the show, although temporarily. “It’s hard, but there are things you have to sacrifice … I’m taking another journey in my life.”

Filling in for Amy is fellow Kapatid talent Gelli de Belen. Meanwhile, Amy will continue with her hosting duties in the programs “Good Morning Club” and “Untold Stories.”

Being pregnant at 43 is risky, especially for someone who has a history of miscarriage, Amy pointed out. In fact, she just experienced some mild spotting a few weeks ago. That’s why she and her partner of six years, Carlo Castillo, waited for at least three months before breaking the good news.

“I’m glad I’ve already gone past the first trimester, which is usually the most trying time for a pregnant woman,” she told the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

Amy is expecting a third child, which she hopes turns out to be a girl. She has two sons: Adi, 14; and Kyle, 3. “I’ve always wanted to have a daughter. Quota na ’ko sa lalaki,” she jested. “I want to have someone I can dress up!”

‘Pambansang kapitana’

Fondly called pambansang kapitana by “Face to Face” fans, Amy related that she’s already trying to prepare and explain to Kyle that he will be an elder brother soon. “I’m reading to him a book titled ‘Kuya na si Bunso.’ It was written and given to me by my friend Maricel Laxa.”

Though her life is a picture of happiness at the moment, Amy said that there’s still one thing that can make it even better—the nullification of her marriage with estranged husband Brix Ferraris.

Amy’s plea for annulment was denied by the Supreme Court in 2006. Now, she’s hoping that Brix, who’s based in the United States, would file for divorce. Last she heard, the former South Border vocalist is in Las Vegas doing shows.

“Every day and night, ’yan ang dasal ko [that’s my prayer], so that everything will be legal in God’s and society’s eyes,” she said. “I’ll be the happiest woman on earth. I might even throw a party.”

The biggest problem, Amy said, is that all her efforts to find and reach out to Brix for the past 15 years have been in vain. “Adi and I tried sending messages to him via Facebook, but he never responds,” she said.

She said Carlo’s family has been very good to her, accepting and loving her despite her marital situation.

“This must be God’s way of testing our patience, faithfulness and love,” she mused. “I cry whenever Carlo tells me, ‘Sana naman makasal na tayo [I hope we can get married] before we turn 60.”