Celebrity couple Maricel Laxa-Pangilinan and Anthony Pangilinan still keep the parent card for their son Donny. 

During an interview with Maricel and Anthony at the launch of their new book "Marriage Is a Marathon" at the UnFrench Bistro in San Juan Manila last Aug. 10, the couple shared how Donny always made it a point not to discuss work when he was at home with them. Maricel also mentioned that Donny is responsible for picking up her younger sister Solana from school. 

"Kapag nasa bahay si Donny, siya yung nagsabi na pag nandun siya walang trabaho pag uusapan, anak lang namin siya and wala siya dito ngayon kasi he has to be with Solana who's having her first of day school, so siya yung taga sundo," Maricel said. 

(When Donny is at home, he insists we should not talk about work. He is just our son. He is not here right now because he has to be with Solana who's having her first of day school, so he picks her up) 

Donny's father, Anthony, proudly revealed that despite his fame as one of the most renowned actors of his generation, the 25-year-old actor remains humble and grounded by consistently sharing in household responsibilities alongside his siblings. 

"Siya yung taga hugas ng plato, kapag nasa bahay yan, he has to do the chores like everybody else," Anthony said. 

(He is the one who washes the dishes when he is at home, he has to do the chores like everybody else) 

In addition, Anthony generously divulged the invaluable insights Donny has gleaned from their deep understanding of love and relationships. 

"I think yung spontaneity kay Maricel yun talaga yayakapin ka na lang niya, pagdating sa bahay gusto tumalon sa kama kasi gusto makipag cuddle that's Maricel. Pero yung iisipin kung papasukin ko ba to, diba siya na ba ang para sakin, that came from me. So, I think that combination is good konting spontaneous and the other one is pagplanuhin," Anthony said. 

(I think he got Maricel's spontaneity. He will just hug you, when he comes home he wants to jump on the bed because he wants to cuddle. That's Maricel. But the thought of whether I should let him in, or if he was the one for me, that came from me. So, I think that combination is good, a little spontaneous, and the other one is planned) 

Celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary with new book 

Maricel and Anthony not only dedicated themselves as full-time parents to their children but also found immense joy in participating in marathons. To commemorate three decades of marital bliss, the couple has unveiled their second literary masterpiece, titled "Marriage Is a Marathon."

"What we've seen through 30 years is that people are so excited to have their grand weddings, but not so much giving their time and effort to prepare for the marriage, which is actually the day after the wedding. The wedding is just one day, marriage is forever," Maricel said.

"And so we see that in all the lessons we've learned from running marathons around the world. [Marriage also] takes a lot of preparation," she added. "And through preparing, training, and recovering, you will see that there is a science to it as well. And you need all the help you can get along the way," she added. 

"Marriage is a Marathon" features a total of eight chapters, each featuring tips on how couples can navigate their relationship "one step at a time." 

Although there were challenges along the way in their relationship, Maricel shared that one of the things that kept her and Anthony solid is staying true to their feelings and problems with each other. 

"Most of the things we go through, we go through privately. We don't announce it to everyone. These are things that we have agreed to just sort out within ourselves, And these lessons we learned, we share to others. Nothing to sort out in the public." Maricel said.

Donny Pangilinan (Instagram)

Maricel and Anthony gave their unsolicited advice to people who do not believe in marriage.

"When Anthony and I got married, we both decided na we will prepare each other so that we knew what were going into, kasi that's the thing about marriage you have to prepare yourself for what's coming for you and your partner. That's why we went into intense marriage counseling, it was something that we're not expecting to have," she said.

(When Anthony and I got married, we both decided that we would prepare for each other so that we knew what were going into, because that's the thing about marriage you have to prepare yourself for what's coming for you and your partner. That's why we went into intense marriage counseling, it was something that we're not expecting to have)

The book is now available on Shopee and Lazada for P499. More details are available on Anthony and Maricel's website.