Iza Calzado on motherhood: This is my biggest purpose
MANILA, Philippines — Iza Calzado shared why it took her two months before telling the public the good news that she gave birth last January to Deia Amihan, her firstborn child with techpreneur-husband Ben Wintle. She officially introduced her baby girl to her followers on March 26.
For the 40-year-old actress, it was the “best decision” to keep one of the, if not the most important event of her life yet private or, at least, off social media for a short period of time. Having been through a lot together, she said she named her daughter after her Encantadia warrior-character Amihan and a place in Mallorca, Spain called Deia, which also means goddess of joy.
“There’s no best decision for everybody. But that was the best decision for me. I know myself and I had to really assess because I remember when I got engaged and married, when everybody is congratulating you at that very moment, it kinda takes you away from that very moment. Ako, it was taking me away from that moment. Hindi ko kaya yun. Even then I was overwhelmed, but I was happy,” Iza admitted.
“This one, it’s a different thing. Kaka-CS (cesarean delivery) mo lang, I was dealing with a lot of things, and some health issues pa at some point. So, it’s a good thing talaga that I stepped away for a bit.”
The Philippine STAR got to speak to Iza as the celebrity endorser for the recently-held New Mama Expo at the SM Megamall. The event was spearheaded by edamama.ph, the “country’s leading shopping platform for baby essentials,” founded by couple Bela Gupta and Nishant D’Souza.
Iza further opened up on the joys and challenges of welcoming motherhood. “The first few weeks were quite a blow. Girl, para kang dinaanan ng train, di ba? In the hospital, you feel like a champion. But when you go home, boom!
“I think it’s because there’s a lot of changes happening in a woman’s body, hormonal changes. Physically, you went through so much change like from the first trimester.
“I don’t think any handbook or one handbook can prepare you for all of this. Every day, I just go with it. I just go with what that day brings me. Because you can’t plan everything. (Makeup artist) Lala Flores told me, no day is the same, it’s true. But I think it’s bringing out the best in me.”
Iza went on to call this new phase of her life as a woman as her “biggest purpose.”
“I was always scared (of motherhood) but I didn’t realize that it was this wonderful. I was operating from a place of fear in terms of having a baby. So, I think God really stepped in and said, ‘Let me show you,’” she reflected.
“This is my deeper purpose pala. After I survived COVID, my biggest question was why am I still here, what is my purpose, and it kinda went left and right… Life happens. Then, God gave me clearly what my purpose is. I guess, this is my biggest purpose.”
She admitted that during this time, she’s been hearing different opinions, beliefs and tips about parenting, and one thing she learned is each motherhood journey is unique.
“You hear them out. You don’t have to always apply it. Nakakapraning talaga. I mean, let’s say karga, naku ‘wag mong sanayin sa karga… ano gagawin ko? Then you read books that say give the baby what she needs in the first three months, so ano ba talaga?” she said.
“So, I’m just doing what feels right… We’ll see. You know what, for whatever reason, it’s my lesson to learn. Parang we all have unique circumstances and realities, we just have to recognize what works for us may not work for them.
“We could say this is what works for me, this is what I do. You can try it out if you want to. If others impose, set boundaries. Be kind to one another. Especially for new mommas like me, kinakapa pa talaga lahat.
“Hindi ako magmamarunong at magmamagaling. Si Darna ay role na nagampanan ko. Although Darna was based on the mother of Mars Ravelo, and I understand mothers are superheroes, everyone’s a superhero in their own right, but you don’t have to do everything that’s why there’s Avengers or the Mamavengers in my case,” she said.
Iza’s parents already passed away, while Ben’s are based overseas so she’s been getting help from what she calls as the Mamavengers, her support group, composed of friends in and out of showbiz who are fellow moms.
As a mom, she described herself as “pretty chill” and “clingy.”
“I can’t leave her yet. She’s actually quite near. I have to get ready somewhere near. Because feeling ko kasi, if I do this today, I’ll be gone for quite some time. So andun lang siya, medyo malapit,” she said.
As for how husband Ben is as a father and parenting partner, Iza said, “Ben has been very supportive. He has always been there for me. He researches also with me.
“He plays with Deia almost every day. Especially now that she has become very animated and responsive. You can really see that the father steps in at that point.
“Ben is in charge of the activities, like reading to her in the morning. He’s done some nappy changes so congrats to him (laughs). But it’s been mostly me and my wonderful angels at home.”
Asked if she’s open to having another baby in the future, Iza said, “Bahala na ang Panginoon. We’ll see.”
So far, she’s been teasing glimpses of her daughter on social media, but she promised her fans that they will be seeing Deia Amihan “very soon.”
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