Lovi Poe wishes her late father, FPJ, could have met her husband and daughter
Lovi Poe opened up about her life as a wife and mother, sharing how she wished her late father, Fernando “Da King” Poe Jr., had the chance to meet the family she has built.
In her interview on Karen Davila's YouTube channel, Lovi shared how her partner, Monty Blencowe, has been inspired by her dad, FPJ's, legacy and hopes to bring Philippine stories to an international audience.
"Monty is a scientist. He can't help it; he would read stuff about my dad," the actress said. "He got inspired, and he wants to champion Philippine stories internationally. Champion like something my dad did, the legacy. He wants me to continue the legacy."
She said Monty’s interest in her father’s work eventually led him to want to continue that legacy. Asked whether she wished her father had met him, Lovi said, “That would have been nice, for sure.”
Navigating marriage and distance
The couple first dated in 2019, got engaged in 2023, and officially tied the knot the same year. Three years into their marriage, Lovi and Monty continue to navigate a long-distance relationship.
Despite the demands of her work, Monty made sure to follow Lovi wherever her work took her.
"I have sacrifices but he has sacrifices too. It takes a lot of heart and strength talaga to stomach that because we both make sacrifices," she said. When it comes to deciding where to be based, Lovi said it is something they have yet to figure out.
Asked about what her advice is to those also in an LDR setup, she said, "Respect your partner."
"Because with respect, everything else will follow. Hindi na kailangan sabihin sa 'yo kung ano 'yung makakagaan [at makakasakit] para sa partner mo," she explained. "The love will show, and trust will come as well."
Being a first-time mom
Now mom to a nine-month-old, Lovi admitted that she never really thought about becoming a mother, as she had always been focused on her career.
"My life revolved around work talaga. It was more like, if it happens, it happens," she said. "In God's timing, it suddenly happened, and I think it's the most amazing, most beautiful thing in the world. I didn't think I'd feel this much love... It's really not easy."
Lovi shared that just four months after giving birth, she was already filming her first movie in Los Angeles before spending the entire month of June in Korea shooting a TV series.
Giving birth in the US was particularly challenging as she navigated new motherhood while recovering from preeclampsia. Despite the demands, she chose to be hands-on without a nanny, relying occasionally on her mom and a friend. She handled daily tasks herself—from laundry and cooking to bathing her baby.
"It was my choice talaga. I wanted to experience every single bit of it because they're gonna grow up so fast," she said. "I really savored the tough moments...It still is the most exhausting, but the most rewarding thing ever.
Motherhood also shifted her perspective on perfection. "I don't chase perfection anymore. I let things go, I'm more flexible now," she said, noting how rigid her routines used to be.
She also expressed gratitude for her mental health post-childbirth: "I'm very lucky... I wouldn't say I went through postpartum depression. I think siguro, I get anxious once in a while. Everyone has their birthing experience, everyone has their own story to tell as a mother... I guess I'm fortunate enough to say that I didn't go through that."
Lovi’s bond with the Poe family
Growing up as a daughter of a legend of Filipino cinema, Lovi admitted to experiencing some kind of pressure. She recalled how she and her late manager, Leo Dominguez, wanted her to carve her own path rather than remain under FPJ’s shadow. She said she initially did not use her surname and pursued singing before eventually venturing into acting.
When she eventually decided to use the Poe surname, Davila asked whether she needed to seek permission from the Poe family. Lovi said she did not, adding that they had been very welcoming.
"They were the kindest. Honestly, when Papa passed away...Tita Susan (Roces) was there, the most warm person, and I'm so grateful because she was so wonderful and kind.
"I'm grateful because here I am just years after and it's just been beautiful," she said.
Talking about her relationship with her stepsister, former senator Grace Poe, Lovi said their bond developed naturally over time, to the point that Grace became someone she could call anytime.
She admitted that things were awkward between them at first, but eventually, they just clicked.
"I could call her randomly, sometimes in the middle of the night... It's just amazing because it's nice to have a sister that you look up to, who sets a good example, and I can ask advice from about so many things—being a mother, business, and life in general," Lovi said. "She's just so cool, too."
Lovi is set to star with Game of Thrones actress Maisie Williams in an upcoming thriller project, Ignition.
Her other international projects include indie film Bad Man, where she shared the screen with Seann William Scott and Johnny Simmons.