It was something that Korina Sanchez-Roxas and I have long been trying to find time forever since our paths once again crossed after parting from each other in the old ABS-CBN News Department, where we once breathed the same busy and tension-filled air in the late 1990s: a home visit for some relaxed chit chats and a chance to bond with her two cute babies, Pepe and Pilar.

It was a Sunday, just a few days before Christmas, so her house in the Araneta Compound in Cubao was, as expected, decked appropriately for the occasion.  I was impressed with how the house was decorated, which radiated a warm and welcoming vibe to both homies and guests alike.  Korina proudly told me that she was the one who personally took charge of home decorating and even created some of the festive ornaments herself, showing her crafty side.

The kids were in their rooms with their yayas, watching their favorite show while preparing for what would be our time together later on. I took that as the opportune time to start asking Korina about them, starting with their facility in speaking Ilonggo, which people get to see and hear on Korina’s social media accounts.

“From hardinero to yaya to lola, all are Negrense.   Everybody in the Araneta compound is either from Capiz or Bacolod, both Ilonggo speaking.  So, kaya malalim ang Ilonggo nila. Pati ang mga Ilonggo mismo nagugulat sa punto at kung gaano kalalim ang vocabulary,” Korina says. “The most amusing part is they can shift from Tagalog to Ilonggo to English at will.  They also know who to speak English to, can translate and who to speak Tagalog to and can translate.”

While the recognized communicator in the family, Korina credits her husband for their children’s multi-linguistic skills. “I credit Mar for that because he really insists that they are down to earth children.  Kaya nakatapak lang yan, mahilig sa nature, mahilig sa physical activities, water babies sila, naglilinis sila ng kotse, nagwawalis ng sahig, hindi madiriin sa putik.”   

For her part, Korina admits to being the fussier one regarding how Pepe and Pilar communicate in English: “I correct their grammar because now they’re navigating the language of what they hear in school, of how their classmates talk to them.  So you can tell when they’re struggling to communicate something, so I listen to them and try to tell them how it’s said.” 

The mom in the respected broadcaster makes it easier for her to be more forgiving to the kids’ cute lapses in diction: “Ang watermelon nila, ang Ilonggo daw ng watermelon, “woo-tir-mee-lon.” Syempre, nakaka-aliw sa ngayon dahil 4 years old naman sila pero that will easily be corrected in school if they have punto.  They're smart.  I guess they’ll figure it out.”

As a busy and still much sought-after multi-media personality, Korina has to face the challenge of balancing the demands of her family and career on a day-to-day basis.  During Pepe and Pilar’s visit to the Newport World Resorts Gingerbread House just a few weeks ago, I saw how the tots tried to ask their mother to come home with them right after their takes.  Korina still had to stay that day to shoot for her show Rated: Korina’s other segments.  How does she deal with such instances?

“You just have to be logical to them.  That day, I said: Mama has to work. Pepe said: Mama, I don’t want you to work.  And I say, Pepe, what did I tell you about work? OK, if you don’t work, you have no money. And if you don’t have money, no Paw Patrol (Paw Patrol is a Canadian animation series that now has a line of toys). No shoes.  No chocolates. So we all have to work. I told him: You have to work someday.  And don’t I always come home? So, you wait for me, and I’ll tell you a bedtime story when I get back home.  When I’m unable, I call.  I Facetime them.  It’s all about communicating,” she shares.

Just when our conversation was about to take a more serious turn (and right before I could finish my second piece of empanada), the kiddos joined us in the living room and started engaging us in a conversation.  The Thrillmaker in me saw that as my chance for a quick but rare interview with Pepe and Pilar.  Here’s the transcript of that talk:

Thrillmaker: “Hi, Pilar! What do you want for Christmas?”

Pilar: “I want a toy princess with a castle.”

Korina: “Why?  You have to say why.”

Pilar: “I like it.”

Pepe: “Because she likes it mama! Pilar said she likes it.” 

Thrillmaker: “I heard you ask mama earlier that you want some makeup on. Do you like putting on makeup?”

Pilar: Nods.

Pepe:  “Pilar already has a makeup set! Why don’t you just bring down your makeup set down here?! Don’t borrow mama’s.  Just get your own.  Think about it, where you put your makeup set!”

Thrillmaker: “Hey, Pepe, what about you? What do you want for Christmas?”

Pepe: “Paw Patrol.”

Thrillmaker: “Paw Patrol.  Why?”

Pepe: “Because all I want is Paw Patrol.”

Thrillmaker: “What gift will you give your mama?”

Pepe: “Dress.”

Thrillmaker: “Why a dress.”

Pepe: “Because she always wants to dress.” (Then starts telling me his side Paw Patrol story.)

Pilar: “Mama wants a gift! If you will put us in a box, and mama will open it.”

Thrillmaker: “Oh, so the two of you will be the gifts!”

Korina: “Pepe and Pilar in a box!”

Pepe: “Whaaatttt?!  (Both kids then started running around the house, raising their hands, asking the question: whaaaatttt?!)

Before the kids were led by their yayas to the adjoining room for some TV, I asked Korina what her Christmas wish is for her kids and this was her reply: 

“I just want them to be happy, live long and healthy and well provided for.  However that happens, it’s up to them.  I hope they’re successful and make a significant contribution to humankind. Whether in a big way or in their own way, I want them to be service oriented.  I want them to be helpful human beings to other human beings and to animals. I want them to grow up with hunger so that they will have an aspiration to thrive and to excel.”