Melai Cantiveros defends husband Jason Francisco from critics questioning his role as a provider
Melai Cantiveros was quick to defend her husband Jason Francisco from critics who say that he is not a good financial provider for his family as he's now inactive in the entertainment industry.
The actress and comedian discussed this during an interview with Ogie Diaz, wherein she was asked if her husband had truly quit his career in showbiz. While Melai opted to have Jason answer it himself, she shared that he is at the point in his life where he wants to focus on their two children, Mela and Stela.
"Depende kung gustong gusto niya talaga 'yung projects, saka niya tatanggapin," she said.
Ogie then opened the topic on whether Jason feels conscious of criticisms that his wife appears to be the breadwinner of their family instead of him.
"'Yun nga 'yung naaawa ako sa kanya kasi ginaganun siya ng mga tao," Melai said.
The Ma'am Chief star emphasized that she was "amazed" by Jason because of his "old-school" way of thinking behind closed doors.
"Ang pera mo ay sa'yo, ang pera ko ay sa atin. So doon ako na-amaze kasi 'yun din 'yung time na wala akong trabaho, kasi nga nagbubuntis din ako," Melai explained.
"Bigay talaga siya nang bigay nang pera. Na-appreciate ba ng mga tao yon? Di ba, hindi naman nila na-appreciate," she added.
Melai stressed that just because Jason is no longer active in showbiz does not mean that he is without value.
"Ako lang ang nakakaalam sa suweldo ko, kaya ako lang ang nakakaalam—at manager ko—kung ano ang pumapasok sa bank account ko. Pero [si Jason], kapag may pera siya, hinuhulog niya sa akin. Tapos ako naman ang magba-budget, kung ano lang ang gusto niyang kunin," she said, adding that Jason doesn't even know how much her talent fee is.
Despite going through a time when they faced financial troubles, Jason never asked his wife for money.
"Mamatay pa siya na humingi, manghingi sa akin." Melai said.
"Siyempre, yung pera ko, [sa amin] din 'yun. Pero siyempre, ako, parang na-amaze ako na sa tagal ng mga ganon, hindi pa talaga [nagsasabi na] yung pera mo, i-share naman natin," she continued.
While Jason chooses not to say anything to his wife regarding the criticisms against him, Melai knows that he is hurting deep down.
"Nararamdaman ko sa kanya na medyo nasasaktan din siya. Siyempre, pagkatao na niya ang tinitira. Hindi niya pinapakita, pero ako bilang asawa, ramdam ko," Melai said.
Melai and Jason, who met met during their stint at the reality TV show Pinoy Brother Brother in its 2009 season, tied the knot in December 2013. They welcomed their first child Mela in 2014 and had their second child Stela in 2017.
