Mom Tessa Prieto-Valdes chooses true brilliance
It’s difficult not to recognize Tessa Prieto-Valdes — columnist, TV and social media personality. And why not? What with her eye-catching outfits in bright shades, colorful accessories, her bubbly and cheery personality, plus her outgoing nature. But what people perhaps don’t realize is that Tessa is first and foremost a mother to four kids, and that her road to motherhood wasn’t always that easy. Her oldest, Bryan, is 32 years old while her youngest daughter is 12.
“I gave birth to my eldest child Bryan at a very young age,” Tessa shares. “I was a solo parent before I met my husband and got married.” At that time, she was earning her interior design degree in the United States, and along with attending to her studies, she had to raise a child and keep house, all by herself.
It is this selflessness that Bryan, who is involved in the family real estate and food business, most appreciates. After all, he knows best the sacrifices that her mother went through in the beginning. It is something he cherishes and is totally grateful for, especially this Mother’s Day. Thus, his precious gift of MyDiamond to his equally brilliant mom.
“From the time I was working in Singapore for four years to when I decided to come home and go into business here, my mom was always there,” Bryan relates. “She is so much fun, accommodating, and easy to talk to. She’s always been giving, and raised me the best way she could, even with her multifaceted life and my siblings.”
With her very hectic schedule that also includes triathlon training, yoga and a return to her first love, interior design, family is still of course everything and thus takes top priority. “Being a mother is something I really enjoy. I’ve been a mother in my 20s, 30s and 40s. My kids are growing up so fast!” she exclaims.
And like MyDiamond, Tessa has embodied, in more ways than one, its spirit of “True Brilliance.”
“I love diamonds! For me, they are heirlooms, something to pass on to the next generation,” Tessa adds. And so, too, are the wise words of her mother who stressed the importance of family integrity — of leaving behind a good legacy to one’s children and to others — a principle that she also imparts to her children.
“There’s no bible to being a mother,” adds Tessa. “Give your best, your all, but don’t forget to reward yourself as well!”
And, quite simply, there’s no better symbol of unconditional love and a lasting gift more priceless than diamonds.
Tessa is wearing the MyDiamond set of heartshaped ruby earrings and pendant and a 14 carat tennis bracelet, both set in white gold from the Classic collection.
MyDiamond concept stores are located at Shangri-La Plaza Mall, SM Megamall, Robinsons Place Manila, Festival Supermall, Glorietta 4, Greenbelt 3, Gateway Mall, SM Mall of Asia, SM Aura Premier, Lucky Chinatown Mall, Ayala Center Cebu and SM Lanang Premier Davao.
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