TV host-actress KaladKaren recently talked about her upcoming nuptial with her British partner of 11 years, Luke Wrightson.
At the sidelines of her contract signing with Star Magic, ABS-CBN's talent management arm, KaladKaren admitted they are yet to finalize things but it will definitely happen and anytime soon.
She actually wants to get married here, learning that the UK also recognizes the same if done with the knowledge of the country's embassy in the Philippines.
"Pwedeng magpakasal dito yung British nationals at tsaka yung fiancee niya. So, we were thinking of, maybe, holding a smaller, private wedding. Hindi ko pa alam kung kailan," she said.
Once all the required documents are set, they will push through with it soon as they can.
"Kasi it has been a long overdue," Kaladkaren reiterated.
"Kahit si Luke sinasabi niya sa akin: 'Bigyan mo naman ng time itong pag-a-ayos natin ng kasal.' Parang: 'Bigyan mo naman ng priority kasi lagi na lang siya na pu-push back.'"
Apparently, it was supposed to happen last year but she got busy.
Earlier this year, she was supposed to go back to England to arrange some things they needed for the wedding, but she wasn't able to, as well.
"Kasi supposedly ngayong August na yun (the wedding). Hindi na naman natuloy dahil na nanalo nga ako ng MMFF, nagkaroon ako ng bagong trabaho (as entertainment news anchor for TV5's 'Frontline Pilipinas')... and sayang yung opportunity."
She noted: "Pangarap ko talaga e. And TV5 opened the door for me so ako gagawin ko talaga yun para matupad yung pangarap ko... Sinabi ko naman sa kanya na gagawin ko na muna to, pagbigyan mo na ako."
But what if her partner eventually calls it all off?
"Wag siyang mag-back out ang dami na niyang na ipundar sa akin," KaladKaren quipped with a laugh.
"Matatakot mag-backout yun. Siya yung nakapagpundar ng madami. At tsaka close na close na ako sa family niya. Close na close na siya ng pamilya ko," she said.
"Actually kahit nga wala ng kasal parang for me, siya pa rin ang pipiliin ko. Parang formality na lang yun e. Pero yun nga e, gusto kong ibigay yun sa aming dalawa because we both believe in marriage. So gusto naming ma-ikasal. So pinipilit ko talaga."
How about having a baby?
KaladKaren answered in jest: "Actually, yun nga depende kasi kung mabubuntis talaga ako this year. We're trying our best. Charot!"
Turning serious, she revealed: "Iniisip namin magka-baby pero sana pag mga 35 na ako, so mga four to five years from now. Kailangan muna nating mag-ipon at mahirap magkaroon ng anak at ang daming responsibilidad na kaakibat niyan."
If ever, they're planning to look for a surrogate mother.
KaladKaren shared how she actually learned about the process from perfume magnate Joel Cruz who has eight kids via surrogacy.
"Naka-chika ko siya, tapos kinuwento niya sa akin kung magkano, saan ka pwede magpagawa; umaabot pala yan ng 12 million per set! Kunwari yung kambal niya ng una. 12 million pala yun. So ako nagkwenta tuloy ako. Parang in five years kikita ba ako ng 12 million? After ba nun may pampabuhay ba ako sa mga bata? Yun ang iniisip ko e, di ba. Siguro kung magiging multi-millionaire ako bakit hindi ko gawing apat na set ng kambal?"
In any case, they're also open to the idea of adopting a child.
"Si Luke, actually, ang very open sa adoption kasi alam mo bilang open ang mga Briton sa ganyan - parang: 'giving another home to someone na walang pamilya, giving another chance to a kid to have, you know, his or her own family,'" she said.
"Sila yung mas open sa ganyan. Ako naman kahit wala naman kaming-anak. Ang dami ko na ring anak kasi. Ang dami kong sinusuportahan. Yung kapatid ko pinag-a-aral ko, ta's yung pamilya ko sinusuportahan ko rin. Alam mo as a breadwinner of a family para ka na ring may sarili mong pamilya."