How Suzi juggles work, kids & marriage

Suzi Entrata-Abrera is no different from most moms of today who try to successfully juggle work, kids and marriage. She devotes her early mornings to GMA 7 as one of the hosts of Unang Hirit and her mid-afternoons to her husband Paolo Abrera and three daughters Leona, Jade and Nella. But what if another show snatches her time away from bonding with her family? Will she find it hard to keep a balance between career and family? Suzi smiles and says, “I can still handle it.”

With that firm assurance, the Kapuso network has entrusted to her a show that fits her to a T. Titled Mars, Suzi and co-host Camille Prats will be tackling issues that concern women especially mothers who, like them, have already gained experiences in child-rearing and caring for the home. It also has cooking and exercise segments. What makes Mars distinct is it mirrors modern parenthood with humor. It will air weeknights at 6 beginning Monday, June 11 on GMA News TV.

“What’s nice about this (show) is we get to talk about topics that are very unusual,” Suzi shares. “Yung tipong di pinag-uusapan on air, like what if the kids catch their parents having sex? It (topic) tickles but on the other hand, how do parents deal with it? Will they talk to their kids? We will try to figure out how to explain it kasi I’m sure there’s embarrassment sa part ng parents.”

But that’s not to say that Mars gives them the freedom to talk beyond decency. “If sensitive issues cannot be avoided and there would be pressures outside like ‘lusot ba ito?’ then our only guide is this: If you are uncomfortable about it then don’t say anything but if you feel strongly about something, whether you’re a pro or against ­— then you have a reason to say something, you have to defend your stand.”

As a mom, what was the toughest issue she had discussed with her kids?

“So far none since they’re still young but of course, the sex always comes up like ‘What is sex?’ or ‘Are you and Papa having sex?’ and we have to explain. My husband (Paolo) kalmado lang s’ya. Di s’ya natataranta pag ganun and also as a parent, you know what’s gonna come up eventually so might as well be prepared. And when questions pop up, we answer them straight like it’s (sex) normal, it’s natural for people who love one another. S’yempre yung mga bata naman sasabihin, ‘Eww!’ pero at least they know na.”

With Mars co-host Camille Prats

Suzi is happy her daughters, ages eight, seven and six, get along fine (read: no sibling rivalry). They treat each other so well in and out of the house. “Give them art materials and they’re happy. Sometimes, they have this concept of, ‘Which is better, mine or hers?’ I think it’s natural for individuals to be competitive whether you’re sisters or friends.”

Since Suzi splits her time between work and family, are there times that guilt feelings attack her while away from home?

“Oh yes, absolutely especially when they were very young, ‘yun bang tulog na sila pag uwi mo. It’s hard to manage your guilt but I can’t quit my work. So I just set certain rules that weekends are for my family or if it can’t be avoided, bawi na lang ako the next day. But as much as I can, I turn invitations down because weekends are my chance to have breakfast with them that’s why I look forward to Saturdays and Sundays.”

Find out how Suzi manages her time between work and home:

“On weekdays and taping days (Tuesdays and Thursdays), I wake at quarter to 4 to go to Unang Hirit. We air at 5 a.m. to 8:15 a.m. then I hang out for a while, take off my make-up because I’ll be wearing another make-up for Mars. So far, we’ve been taping very efficiently so if (we taped for) three episodes, we should be done by around 7 p.m. then I head straight home to my family.

“On other days, when it’s my errand day naman, after Unang Hirit, I go to my exercise class where I do a combination of Pilates, yoga and ballet. I do that for an hour and I’m done before lunch. I’ll just take a shower then I either run errands or pick up the kids from school if it’s school time or bring them somewhere while it’s still summer vacation.

“Actually, I wish to have some time to take a nap because I don’t have a driver in the morning; I drive myself so I really don’t get that time to sleep in the car. But when I do, I take advantage talaga.

“I sleep late, around 10 or 10:30 p.m. because it’s only after 9 p.m. when the kids are already in bed that I get to prepare my things that I’ll be using the following day for Unang Hirit and then chat with my husband or we watch TV.

“Date day? Nasisingit lang like after work, we meet for lunch at the mall and we watch a movie. That’s our date, simple lang.”