Melanie Marquez: WHAT'S FAMILY LIFE LIKE FOR THE STAR MOM

"Motherhood makes me a better person. It makes me stronger, more sensitive to others, more mature and understanding in accomplishing my responsibilities to my children, and more forgiving." - Melanie Marquez

Melanie Marquez and her family's new home stands in one of the posh villages in Makati. It's a seven-bedroom house that's nestled in more than a thousand square meters, with its main door highlighted by attention-grabbing two columns-somehow a good representation of how the family has built a strong foundation of love and commitment.

Melanie has been married to an American, Atty. Adam Lawyer, for the past seven years. Their union bore the couple two sons: Adam, 4 and Abraham, 2. Melanie's other children from her previous relationships are: Manuel Lito, 24, an X-ray technician in Los Angeles trying to finish Medicine; Mazen, 16, a special child, Maxine Dominique Dee, 13, and Michelle Dee, 10.

"We think this new house is perfect for us because the kids are growing up fast and they need space. The ceiling is high and the rooms are huge," says the 40-something former Miss International, who plans to have her seventh child this year and hopes for a baby girl.

HER HOUSE IN QUEZON CITY WAS CONVERTED INTO A CALL CENTER ESTABLISHED BY HER HUSBAND, WHILE THEIR CONDOMINIUM IN SALCEDO VILLAGE IS NOW A BUSINESS OFFICE. AS FOR HER SHOWBIZ WORK, MELANIE JUST FINISHED GINANG FASHIONISTA ON QTV AND IF PLANS PUSH THROUGH, SHE MAY START TWO NEW SHOWS FOR GMA-7. SHE'S ALSO THE IMAGE MODEL OF FORMER RENEW PLACENTA, NOW NEW PLACENTA BY PSALMSTRE.

A MOTHER ABOVE ALL

More than the glamour of showbiz, Melanie claims that being a mother is the best thing that's ever happened in her life. "It's great being a mother and I can never replace it with any other thing," she stresses. "I'm so fulfilled and contented. It also serves as a recreation and a healing activity from all the stress I get from work and mingling with people you thought were friends. With family, you know they are your true friends. They will love you and understand whoever you are."

As a mother, Melanie says that she's a friend to all her children. "I'm a good listener to my kids. I don't treat them as if I'm their mom. I want to hear what they say. I want them to express themselves and to have the freedom to choose. I tell them the consequences of the choices they made.

"I give my children respect so I can get their respect from them. If I say no, they respect my decision. I tell them why I say no. All you need is communication. You don't dictate because I don't believe in that. I believe in giving love and listening.

"I believe that my children know how much I love them because I provided them with all the privileges. As much as possible, I don't want them to commit mistakes while they are still young. That's why we are here to guide them. They have to follow the rules. But when its' time for them to decide on their own, then it's time for them to go. But while they're still in my house and I am supporting them, they obey the rules," she says.

A TIME FOR EVERYTHING

Saturday has been declared by Melanie as their family day, with the day concentrated on either swimming or engaging in sports. This summer, her kids are enrolled in taekwondo, archery, fencing and swimming. Sunday, on the other hand, is devoted to church. "If I work on Sunday, I'm not happy anymore," she says, "I could work on a Saturday because I can explain it to my children and they would understand, but not working on a Sunday…I think we have provided our children the spiritual nourishment that they need."

When it comes to disciplining the kids, Melanie varies from her husband in approach. "My husband is not that strict, only with those rules that should be followed: everybody must be present during dinner, must wear modest attire, and must be present during scripture study and family prayers," she relates.

"Actually I'm stricter than my husband," she adds. "[For example] there's always a limit to phone calls. I got disappointed one time when I learned that my eldest daughter spent almost an hour on the phone. I reprimanded her and advised her to limit her calls and to use her time only for important matters like her studies. I told all of them that I want good grades.

"There are also times that I call their father, especially if they have problems in school and when I see them bringing expensive and unnecessary things, I tell Derek (Dee) not to spoil his (two) daughters with the material things. He also pays for their education. I tell my girls to save because they won't have these kinds of blessings all the time. The best thing they can do is to take advantage of their education while somebody is sending them to a good school," says Melanie.

In a more subdued tone, Melanie reveals, "I feel sad because I never had these things before. I really worked hard to send myself to school. I wanted to learn and finish college, but I never had the opportunity. Until now, I'm still studying even if I have a career and I have kids. I know they listen because I cry every time I tell them my story."

Melanie is presently finishing a course in business administration at the International School of Management and Economics. She hopes to graduate this July and receive her diploma in London. Melanie has recently signed another one-year contract for Psalmstre as endorser of formerly Renew Placenta, now NEW Placenta by PSALMSTRE, with new packaging and improved formulation in terms of its efficacy and quality.