LIST: Pinoy celebrity stepmoms who show love isn't about being one's flesh and blood
In teleseryes, stepmothers or madrastas have always been stereotyped as antagonists at best and evil beings at worst.
That, however, is not the actual case in real life. In the local showbiz industry, there are several stepmoms who are nailing the roles as they should—showing their partners' children that a mother's love transcends being one's flesh and blood.
Heart Evangelista
Heart Evangelista, though without a children of her own just yet, serves as a mother figure to husband Chiz Escudero's fraternal twins, Quino and Chesi, from his previous marriage.
Heart even brought Chesi with her in Japan in 2016. Last Christmas, she shared their family photo on Instagram.
"The big shift in our lives made me practice gratitude even more," Heart wrote, "and express my love to my family every single moment."
"To celebrate this very special holiday with them is the best gift I could ever receive," she added.
Heart and Chiz started their relationship in 2013 and has been married since 2015.
Regine Velasquez
Regine Velasquez is a proud second mother to husband Ogie Alcasid's daughter Leila with ex-wife, Australian beauty queen Michelle van Eimeren.
Michelle, who also has another daughter with Ogie named Sarah, used to be an actress in the Philippines. She has since returned to her home country.
Leila, who grew up in Australia, moved to the Alcasid residence in Metro Manila last 2017. Sarah, meanwhile, is still with their mom Michelle and her new husband.
In a YouTube vlog posted on Dec. 18, 2019, Regine and Leila talked about the initial difficulties of their new setup. Leila, then 22 years old, recalled how low she felt in her first year in the country, coping with the situation through partying.
Regine, however, took notice and sat down with her. Both of them cried as they had a heart-to-heart talk, with Leila saying her stepmother "really cares" about her.
Velasquez and Alcasid announced their relationship in 2007 and got married in 2010. Their son Nathaniel was born in 2011.
Pauleen Luna
Pauleen Luna is the stepmother of husband Vic Sotto's children from past relationships: showbiz personalities Danica, Oyo Boy, and Paulina, as well as Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto.
Pauleen and Vic's setup was especially challenging because of their 34-year age gap. In fact, Pauleen, 33, is younger than Danica, who turns 39 on May 9, and Oyo Boy, 38. Vico, 32, and Paulina, 30, are practically her peers.
Danica and Oyo Boy, Vic's kids with Dina Bonnevie, weren't initially in favor of the relationship. Pauleen, however, has repeatedly reached out to them, assuring them that she loves their father so much.
They eventually learned to accept Pauleen as they witnessed how she genuinely cares for Vic. Their respective families held a reunion on luxury island Amanpulo last March.
As for Vico, Vic's son with Coney Reyes, he hasn't publicly commented about his father's relationship, though paid them a visit last 2020. Pauleen also showed her support for Vico, who's seeking reelection in the May 9 polls.
She also served as the personal hairstylist of Paulina, Vic's daughter with Angela Luz, during her maternity shoot in 2020.
Pauleen and Vic confirmed their relationship in 2013, though they've been together for years before that. They got married in 2016 and welcomed their daughter Talitha a year later.
Charlene Gonzalez
Charlene Gonzalez is a loving stepmom to husband Aga Muhlach's son, chef Luigi or Igi Boy, his lovechild with Janice de Belen when they're just below 18 years old.
Charlene also became the sweet, youthful lola of Igi Boy's children with wife Patricia starting in 2010, when she was 36.
In an interview with PEP.ph that year, Charlene said she and Igi Boy have "gotten a lot closer" and has a "good relationship" at the time, even giving him marriage advice.
The two have been in touch since then. At one point, Igi Boy penned a touching message for his "Tita" on her birthday.
"You have no idea how much you've touched our lives in so many ways! God is good for letting you become a part of our lives! We love you!" he said.
Charlene and Aga tied the knot in 2001. They have twins named Atasha and Andres.
Sunshine Cruz
Sunshine Cruz has always treated Diego Loyzaga, ex-husband Cesar Montano's son with Teresa Loyzaga, as her own son.
By the same token, Diego never skipped a beat in being a kuya figure to Sunshine's three daughters with Cesar. He tends to visit the Cruzes and bonds with his sisters, especially before the COVID-19 pandemic.
"He visits my kids. May time na almost every day, nandoon siya sa house with my children," she told PEP.ph in 2019. "Mahal na mahal ng mga anak ko si Diego."
Even his biological mother Teresa approves of the setup.
"Where did time go? You are all grown up! Take it slow. Dont grow too fast! Look after each other," she wrote in an Instagram post in 2020.
"We must have done something good!" she said, addressing Sunshine.
Sunshine and Cezar got married in 2000. They separated in 2013 amid alleged infidelity and physical abuse. In 2014, Sunshine filed an annulment petition, which was finalized in 2018.