Christine Jacob-Sandejas : Five-star mom

MANILA, Philippines - Happily married to Francisco “Paco” Sandejas for the past 11 years, former Eat Bulaga co-host Christine Jacob-Sandejas is the absolute picture of bliss and contentment, with that radiant smile never failing to escape from her angelic face.

“My first priority has always been my parenting and my kids; I work everything else around that. I’ve always enjoyed and envisioned myself to be a mom, stay home with the kids and raise a family. I’m now living that dream,” reveals the Taurean-born mom.

Christine and Paco are fulfilled in having raised their brood of five kids, Paolo (nine), Gabby (eight), Nina (six), Luis (three) and Jaime (one) with the proper values.

 “I’m not so strict when it comes to disciplining them; I choose my battles with my kids. I’m quite lenient because I want to be a cool mom. When I got married and had my family, everything just had a purpose and became more peaceful,” Christine beams.

The Sandejas couple tries to find one day in a week to watch a movie at home or in a nearby cinema.      

Bonding moments with the kids, meanwhile, find Christine and her family out on weekends for a swim in the pool or out-of-town at the beach, dining out, or again, watching movies while having their fill of popcorn.

The host of QTV 11’s Full Time Moms also takes pride in having breastfed all of her five children. Even in church and at the malls, Christine has no qualms breastfeeding.

 “I’m really all for it because it’s a great bonding experience! It’s something natural, something that God has given to us women, and He allowing us to take care of our children with our own milk. I would always hope that people would understand. Like if my baby is crying, instead of him or her disrupting everyone’s attention, I would rather breastfeed my baby discreetly in one corner. I always have a ‘cover’ wherever I go,” she shares good-naturedly.

Being a staunch advocate of breastfeeding, Christine likewise advises mothers and moms-to-be to read about this wondrous deed and give it a shot. “Despite the difficulties that one may encounter (during breastfeeding), there’s always something rewarding at the end. The satisfaction that a mother gets from holding her baby in her arms while the child dependently looks at her, wide eyes and all, is simply amazing. You definitely won’t regret it because the bonding between you and your child is totally incredible! To this day, all my kids are really so close to me because of my breastfeeding them,” Christine attests with a flash of her pearly whites.

Photography by Jo Ann Bitagcol • Styling by Corine Alegre • Makeup by Mickey See of Shu Uemura • Hairstyling by John Valle for Loreal Professionel • Jewelry by Miladay