Top 5 lessons on motherhood from Jolina

MANILA, Philippines - Since her return to showbiz, Jolina Magdangal has reaped many accolades  for  her  performance  in Your  Face Sounds Familiar (YFSF), and  the  afternoon  drama Flordeliza with Marvin Agustin. But her flourishing career hasn’t stopped her from being a hands-on mom to one-year-old Pele.

A self-confessed praning mom, Jolina enumerates the Top 5 motherhood lessons she has learned since she gave birth to son Pele.

1.) Motherhood comes first, everywhere. Even with her busy  schedule, Jolina is devoted to being a hands-on mom. In fact, his son often comes with Jolina on her taping schedule. “I want to be there for Pele’s every milestone. I don’t want to miss a thing,” Jolina says. “I’m glad the production staff of my shows understands where I’m coming from as a mother. They help me ensure I have space to breastfeed, and to set up Pele’s playpen and cot so he can be safe and comfortable.”

2.) Keep calm. Pele getting sick is one of Jolina’s biggest worries. “He is generally a happy baby, so I know right away when he isn’t feeling well. Because I am a first-time mom, I used to panic at the slightest sign of fever — I call my pedia right away. Mark (husband Mark Escueta of Rivermaya) is usually the calm one, and he reads a lot of parenting books, ako yung madaldal at nagwo-worry,” Jolina says. “Mas panatag ako ngayon with Paracetamol Calpol because it is pedia-recommended, and I have the support of the #GoGinhawa community to share experiences with.”

Jolina is a #GoGinhawa Mom for Paracetamol Calpol, along with Suzi Entrata-Abrera and lifestyle blogger Jackie Go.

3.) Involve your husband. Jolina says it is Mark who keeps her balanced. “Ay mas involved siya kasi siguro nakikita niya na nagwo-worry ako, so dalawa yung inaalagaan niya eh,” Jolina elaborates. “Yung emotions ko parang roller-coaster na pag masaya si Pele e di ako rin masaya, tapos pag nilalagnat na ulit parang maiiyak na naman  ako.  So  ngayon  yung  asawa  ko  siya  yung  nagbabalanse  sa  amin.  Kung  ako konting kibot magte-text agad sa pedia, siya, nakabalanse sa baby and sa akin, hands-on talaga siya.”

4.) Mommy knows best. Jolina appreciates the guidance from her own mom. “Siya yung nagturo sa akin paano maghawak ng bata, kahit mahina likod niya dahil sa scoliosis,” Jolina says. “So tinuro niya pa rin sa akin bago pa bumigat si Pele. As in talaga from Tagaytay umuwi siya para turuan ako.

5.) Share best practices. Aside from the Calpol #GoGinhawa community, Jolina swaps mommy tips with other celebrity moms. “Kami ni Kyla — our kids are almost the same age, months lang ang pagitan. Tapos yung OB ko nakuha ko kay Juday. Ngayon, sa Your Face, kami ni Melai (Cantiveros). Minsan naglalaro sa playpen ni Pele yung anak niya. Tapos si Ate Karla (Estrada) rin.”