Mother’s Day 2024: Celebrity moms amid criticisms, controversies

Mother’s Day 2024: Celebrity mothers Carmina Villarroel, Kris Aquino and Dianne Medina with their brood. Image: Instagram/@mina_villarroel, @krisaquino, @dianne_medina

Dedication would be an understatement if one would define the unwavering love and warmth a mother devotes to her child. And even in the world of show business where portrayals and facades are the thing, such a genuine connection is still undeniably apparent. 

As we ring in this year’s celebration of Mother’s Day, let’s highlight some of the noteworthy remarks from celebrity moms, showing the different facets of parenting amid criticisms and controversies.

Claudine Barretto and her children. Image: Instagram/@claubarretto

Growing up being watched closely by the public, Claudine Barretto has certainly gone through ups and downs in her relationships and marriage. Despite this, the actress takes pride in being a doting mother to her four children, three of whom are adopted.

“Wala pa ring laman ang puso ko kundi mga anak ko,” she said as she declared she’s currently not open to having a new relationship.

“Ayokong makita ng mga anak ko na may ibang lalaki na umaaligid or magkaroon ako ng ibang relasyon until matapos ang annulment namin ni Raymart [Santiago],” she added. 

(From left) Dani Barretto, Marjorie Barretto, Erich Barretto, Julia Barretto, Claudia Barretto and Leon Barretto. Image: Instagram/@marjbarretto

Claudine’s sister, Marjorie Barretto, is also one of the few who have an evident close relationship with their children. Marjorie would often be seen bonding and exchanging nurturing messages on her Instagram page with her five children including Dani Barretto, her eldest daughter, and actress Julia Barretto.

“A mother’s journey has many turns, ups and downs, and even dead ends! My journey from being a young artista to a mother of five has been long and not easy. But I did what I do best as a woman and I powered through it,” she stated.

“Looking at my children now, I can really say that although my journey is hard, it is possible to raise such a wonderful family. And that is what I wanted to impart to my children–the value of being strong yet remaining gentle,” she underscored.

Marjorie Baretto and her daughter Dani Barretto. Image: Instagram/@marjbarretto

Dani, who is also a mom to her four-year-old daughter Millie, speaks highly of Marjorie and recently stressed how she witnessed the former actress tirelessly work to raise her. Dani admitted feeling guilty over the time she put her mom’s efforts for her to waste, saying such is the reason why she strives to give back to her in her own ways. 

“Every single time I can give back to my mom, I do my best; kung ano ‘yung gusto niya, kahit magkano ‘yan, binibigay ko sa kanya,” Dani said in her “Bare It All Podcast.”

Kris Aquino with her sons Josh and Bimby. Image: Instagram/@krisaquino

Another celebrity mom whose love for her children conquers all—even life-threatening conditions—is Kris Aquino. Despite her multiple autoimmune diseases, the Queen of All Media powers through as she tries to keep her promise to her sons, Josh and Bimby, to endure and stay with them for a longer time. 

Kris Aquino with her sons Bimby and Josh | Images: Instagram/@krisaquino

“​​Josh and Bimb—they are my REASONS kung bakit TULOY ANG LABAN, BAWAL SUMUKO,” she stated at the time. “I pray for the blessing to be healthy enough to still be their mama—the one who would cook, travel for fun, go to Church, and watch movies with them. All in God’s perfect time.”

Kris Aquino and her youngest son Bimby. Image: Instagram/@krisaquino

During her most recent birthday last February, Kris also had an interview in which she addressed her children: “Just in case this is the last birthday I get to celebrate here on earth, thank you Kuya [and] Bimb for the most precious privilege of being chosen to be your mom.”

Pokwang with her daughters | Image: Instagram/@itspokwang27

Amid her animosity with Lee O’Brian, her former partner and the father of her daughter Malia, Pokwang vowed to fill in the void in her child’s life as a result of her separation from the American actor. 

“Lalo kong susubukan na maging mahusay na ina at ama sa aking anak. Lalo pa akong magsisikap sa araw-araw para maitaguyod ko ang aking pamilya,” the comedian said when the Bureau of Immigration issued a deportation order against O’Brian based on her complaint.

In a more recent note, Pokwang also chimed in the much-talked about debate about children providing for their parents when they’re older, and said she doesn’t believe in such and that she won’t require her children—Malia and her firstborn Mae—to do so. 

“Responsibilidad ba ng anak na tulungan ang kanilang magulang kapag sila ay matanda na?” she stated. “Para sakin, NO! Basta ayusin lang nila buhay nila at itaguyod ang mga anak nila ng maayos, masaya na ako.”

Dianne Medina with her son | Image: Instagram/@dianne_medina

Dianne Medina was recently at the receiving end of criticisms after she let her son Joaquin put up an inflatable pool in their living room. This, according to some netizens, might result in her son growing up to be a “spoiled child” because of her failure to set boundaries. 

Hitting back at naysayers, soon-to-be mom of two Medina underscored that it wouldn’t hurt to allow kids to do what they want every once in a while. She also showed another photo of her and Joaquin sitting in an inflatable playpen that was set up inside their house. 

“My House, My Child, My Rules! Kahit maglagay pa ako ng inflatables sa loob, okay lang!” she exclaimed. 

Kris Bernal and her daughter Hailee Lucca. Image: Instagram/@krisbernal

First-time mom Kris Bernal welcomed her daughter Hailee Lucca in August 2023, and has since been gushing over her “little sunshine.” She has also been vocal about her struggles, admitting she’s having a hard time “identifying [her new self], trying to find peace, and going through the motions.”

“I realized that there’s no such thing as being poorly exhausted, sick, tired, overwhelmed, or burnt out when you’re a mom. You just have to keep on going, and somehow I do,” she said. “I know I can’t be perfect 100% of the time but I always give 100%, whatever that may look like at the time.”

Image: Instagram/@mina_villarroel

Another celebrity mom, Carmina Villarroel, was recently subjected to criticisms after some netizens accused her of meddling in the romantic relationships of her twins Cassy and Mavy Legaspi. 

Such talks apparently stemmed from rumors that Villarroel supposedly had a hand in the falling-out of Mavy and his then-rumored girlfriend, actress Kyline Alcantara.

With her parenting being questioned, Villarroel did not take it lightly and underscored that she and her actor husband Zoren Legaspi are just “very present” in the lives of their twins.

“I don’t know why they’re saying na pakialamera ako. I’m not bothered and I don’t care, kasi lagi ko ngang sinasabi, mga anak ko itong pinag-uusapan natin,” Villarroel underscored. “Gamitin mo kahit anong gusto mong word, basta ako, it’s because I care and I love my family.”

“Alam ko kung ano ‘yung totoo. Alam ng mga anak ko kung ano ‘yung totoo,” she continued. “Kung masama kaming tao at kung totoo ‘yung mga binibintang sa amin, hindi kami siguro pagpapalain ng Diyos.”

Filipino actress Andi Eigenmann (left) and her mom actress Jaclyn Jose pose on May 18, 2016, during a photo call for the film “Ma’Rosa” at the 69th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, southern France. LOIC VENANCE / AFP

Andi Eigenmann may be a mom herself but with the recent passing of her mother Jaclyn Jose, the public also witnessed a daughter that longs to be wrapped in her mother’s embrace. 

Eigenmann expressed her grief in the open letters and poems she shared with the public, amid accusations of some that she was not grieving enough and was faking [her] sadness.

“She built me up like a mountain at sunrise and painted my sky with gentle hands. And when she told me I could be anything, I believed her because I saw how much I could grow with even a little of her light,” Eigenmann wrote.

Andi Eigenmann reminisces childhood with mom Jaclyn Jose. Image: Instagram/@andieigengirl

She also composed a poem that talks about the relief from knowing that her mom no longer suffers from pain, and the hope of seeing her again when the time comes.

“Ika’y nasa araw, sa ulan, at sa hangin na aking nilalasap. Umaawit ng kantang puno ng pag-asa at ligaya. Wala na ang sakit. Wala na ang takot. Makikita kita sa mga ulap, maririnig ang iyong mga bulong ng pagmamahal. Magkikita din tayong muli. Sa ngayon, didinggin ko muna ang iyong mga awit,” it read.

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