Marriage springs surprises for Melai

MANILA, Philippines - Marriage has sprung many pleasant surprises for Melai Cantiveros, thanks to her husband, fellow ex-Pinoy Big Brother (PBB) housemate Jason Francisco.

The guy, her friends thought would fall short of his responsibilities as provider, is proving detractors wrong. Jason not only stars in the Kapamilya series Forevermore. More than that, he is proving himself an ideal family man by putting Melai and their daughter, Amelia Lucille, on top of his list of priorities.

“I know Jason is responsible,” Melai said in an interview during the presscon of ABS-CBN’s new variety show Your Face Sounds Familiar. “Pero hindi ko in-expect na ganon siya ka responsible. His focus is our family. Pag tumatawag ang family nya, ang sinasabi nya ‘May family na ako.”

The words are music to Melai’s ears and a reminder that she, too, must be that devoted to Jason and their 11-month-old daughter.

The baby has brought joy and harmony to the couple’s home. 

“Very happy kami. Minimal ang away. We have become mature when Amelia Lucille (whose second name means little light). We no longer fight the way we would when we were teenagers,” reveals Melai.

Their baby, she explains, can sense their moods and cries when mom and dad are feeling the crunch.

“Sensitive siya kapag may pinag-uusapan kami at grabe ang emotion. Kunwari, tungkol sa kapitbahay namin. Umiiyak siya. Kaya very careful kami doon.”

Jason is very careful to the point of overprotectiveness when it comes to his daughter.

“Ayaw nyang kinakagat ang baby namin ng lamok. He is overprotective of our daughter,” says Melai.

When he arrives home exhausted from taping at 3 a.m. and sees the baby crying, Jason jolts himself awake to prepare milk for Amelia.

Needless to say, Melai appreciates it and makes sure she matches her husband’s utmost devotion to their baby.

“Gusto nya safe anak nya. Pag umalis siya, pressured ako sa pag-alaga sa baby kasi pag may kagat siya (ng lamok), sinasabi ko (sa baby), ‘Patay tayo sa ama mo.’ Pag uwi ni Jason, nagtatanong siya.”

If Melai thinks Jason’s overprotectiveness is the only downside to her marriage so far, it’s because her husband neither drinks nor smokes. He stays home when he doesn’t have TV work and shuns nights out with the boys after a busy day on the set.

“Hindi siya nag-so-socialize kapag wala siyang work. Kaya ako, nahihiya din ako sa sarili ko. Hindi rin ako gumagala.”

Gone are the days when she and Jason had spats the public got wind of.  Jealousy has never reared its ugly head in their marriage and everything is literally and figuratively quiet in the home front.

“We are secured to each other,” smiles Melai.

She can focus on work — Two Wives and preparations for Your Face Sounds Familiar, which premieres today and tomorrow, March 15 on ABS-CBN.

Melai is one of eight celebrities — including Jay-R, 6Cyclemind vocalist Tutti Caringal, Karla Estrada, Maxene Magalona, Edgar Allan Guzman, Nyoy Volante and Jolina Magdangal — who will completely transform themselves to impersonate a music icon and deliver a concert-like performance.

Melai, who wants to mimic Rihanna and Cyndi Lauper, is moving heaven and earth to come up with performances of a lifetime for the next 13 weeks.

“I never drink cold water. I would stretch for the dancing part. Baka mabigla ang katawan ko at mahilo ako. I have to be fit and I need to exercise. Malaki pa rin ang  tiyan ko.”

The comedienne feels flattered that this early, Maxene thinks she (Melai) will offer stiff competition because of her funny, entertaining ways.

“She’s working very hard. Hindi lang kasi singing (ang involved). You will be surprised,” Tutti describes Melai.

He must have read Melai’s mind.

“My edge over my fellow contestants? I will do anything and I will not give up to life’s challenges. Rehearsals pa lang, seryoso ako talaga.”

This never-say-die spirit makes Melai the person to beat, not only in Your Face Sounds Familiar, but in the bigger battle that is life.