Embracing change
Toni Gonzaga and Paul Soriano share how starting a family re-ordered their lives
Toni Gonzaga and Paul Soriano share how starting a family re-ordered their lives
Three years into wedded bliss, actress Toni Gonzaga and director Paul Soriano say a lot has changed in their relationship, particularly with the arrival of their baby boy, Seve, now 10 months old. “Very different, very big ’yung changes sa relationship,” Toni told Bulletin Entertainment. “I think it went into a whole new level lalo na after Seve came into the picture.”
She noted, “Actually ngayon hindi na namin naiisip sarili namin puro Seve na, if Seve’s okay, if Seve’s happy... second na lang kami.”
For Toni, alone time for her and Paul has become a luxury.
“Wala na talaga kaming time for ourselves,” she divulged. “Like, it’s been almost 10 months since we last went to a movie house.”
“Unlike before we could just go out any time, ngayon hindi na, all because of Seve. But we’re not complaining. Our life is different na but in a good way.”
Indeed, if anything, love has grown even deeper between the couple.
Said Toni, “I never truly and fully understood how much I love Paul until I saw how much he loves our baby. Nakikita ko kung paano niya minamahal at inaalagaan si Seve.” Paul echoed her thoughts, noting he now “loves, respects and admires” his wife even more.
“The best thing about her kasi, no matter how hectic her schedule, she always put Seve on top of her list,” he said.
Not to say they don’t have moments.
“Of course we have petty fights just like other couples, it’s part of marriage, and I think it’s what makes it work,” Paul said.
Toni added, “Kasi parang if you’re not fighting, you’re not improving. When you fight that’s when you get to learn more of each other.”
The usual cause of their misunderstandings? Different parenting styles.
Paul shared, “I’m very rough with him (Seve) kasi and Toni is like ‘No (don’t do that) he might get hurt,’ but
sa akin, we’re boys, let him be.” If they’re too busy, the couple assigns relatives to take care of Seve. Fortunately, their parents willingly assume the task.
However, the grandparents are given to lavishing the child with toys. Said Toni, “Lalo ’yung mommy and daddy ko ’pag kinuha nila si Seve pagbalik talagang may
toy agad. So, one time sabi ko ‘Last na ’yan,’ laging ‘Last na yan, ’di na ’yan bibilhan.’”
“Sa akin kasi ayoko masanay si Seve na
every time na umaalis may nabibili siya. Kasi nu’ng bata naman kami, hindi naman namin nabibili lahat ng gusto namin pero okay lang. So, gusto ko, in a way, ma
experience din ni Seve ’yung ganu’n. ’Yung hindi lahat ng bagay sa mundo makukuha mo.”
At this point, Seve is all about exploring and discovering, something that fascinates the couple.
“He’s being makulit, he can’t stay still. He wants to crawl, he wants to walk, he wants to talk, he wants to eat, he wants to try everything,” said Paul.
Of course, the doting parents that they are, the two document everything for posterity.
They even updates fans about it on their social media accounts. “We don’t regularly post naman. ’Pag may moment lang na we feel like sharing shini-share namin but not all the time,” Toni said.
“Actually the best moments of Seve, the best times we had with him, we keep it to ourselves,” she added.
The couple recently brought Seve to an arcade for the first time ever. “Super nag-enjoy siya kasi madaming ilaw, very colorful,” Paul said. Toni was as happy as Seve. “’Di ko alam na kaya akong paligayahin ng sobra-sobra manuod lang ng isang baby na sumakay sa mga rides sa arcade,” she said. With Seve turning a year old in September, the couple is planning a special party for him, something they said, “he could look back on when he’s old.” They also hope to bring the toddler to an out-of-the-country trip soon. “We want to show Seve the world and make him experience what the world has to offer,” said Paul. The celebrity parents were recently tapped as new ambassadors of Gold Seas Tuna Chunks. According to the company, they picked the couple as both extend love and care to Seve without compromising their own overall health and wellbeing.