Power partners
MANILA, Philippines - Their acclaimed names are already credible in their own right but, when joined together, create a power duo. With husbands that are national leaders and wives who are notable career women, these couples share the keys to a happy marriage even if subjected to the ups and downs of a public seat’s challenges. In this age of legal splits, they share the secrets to going strong while clad in renowned lifestyle brand Original Penguin by Munsingwear.
Sonny and Tootsy Angara
The saying “opposites attract” seems to be true in the relationship of education advocate Senator Sonny Angara and wife Tootsy Echauz. Married for more than 10 years, the couple claims to have a good mix of personalities and values that bind them better and deeper as one.
With law fundamentals and political influences as his background, Sonny admits he is the serious and silent type among the two of them and appreciates how his nature complements the character of his wife. “Tootsy has always been warm,” he says. “She has a good sense of humor. Back then, I was studying to be a lawyer and I didn’t want someone who was also serious. I was always analytical, cold, and very unemotional as a person. But I think when I met her, I did change for the better — not only a better person, but also a better public servant.”
As a homemaker with a fulltime job as the corporate sales head of a prominent TV network, Tootsy makes sure she attends to their three kids after a day’s work. Despite hectic schedules and lots of hats to wear, the partners spend time together doing sports and plan vacations for leisure and fun. “Holidays, like long weekends, are really precious to us, because that’s our only uninterrupted time,” says Tootsy. “But even though Sonny is busier and has more weight on his shoulders, he is supportive in his own way. Because for me, being there at the end of the day when you just want to lie down, relax, and crack jokes — in my experience, that’s already support for each other.”
Asked how Sonny is as a father, Tootsy shares: “He is the disciplinarian between us. He sometimes plays rough with our kids, because that’s his language of love. We are a good match because I’m the one who’s a little softer.”
Sonny describes Tootsy as a superwoman who is such a hands-on mom. He said, “She’s a perfect mother. She gets up early in the morning and spends time with the kids. And when she comes home tired from work, she still has energy to play with them and do their homework. That really amazes me.”
Their greatest challenge was when Tootsy was diagnosed with a benign tumor in her spinal cord after giving birth to their youngest child. “Sonny is such a rock. When I had emotional ups and downs, he was the foundation that kept us together,” says Tootsy.
Miguel and Audrey Zubiri
Four years have passed since former Filipino legislator Miguel Zubiri left his post as majority floor leader in the Senate. A lot has changed in his lifestyle, as he is currently focused on family and business. He said, “When I resigned in 2011, I realized my priorities were sort of not what it should have been. So far, I’m having the best four years of my life — seeing my children grow up, being there in all occasions, and making time not just for the kids, but also for my wife. So I think it was God’s gift to me being able to have all that time.”
Married to newspaper columnist and entrepreneur Audrey Tan since 2005, Miguel commends his wife as “the best, most supportive, and sweet partner that anyone can have; a soul mate, best friend, and business partner all rolled into one.” According to Miguel, this is because of her undying efforts in all aspects, such as family, business, and public service, through raising their kids well, being with him in all campaigns, and supporting his vision for the country.
On the other hand, despite being in the limelight, Audrey sees herself not as a wife of a politician but a spouse who does whatever it takes to show love and support in the chosen path of her partner. She considers herself “truly glad and blessed to have found someone” she can spend the rest of her life with. “More than balancing priorities, it’s knowing our priorities,” Audrey says. “It’s not hard for me to be strong because I know it’s just temporary and he’s a good man. Whatever makes my husband happy will make me happy as well. And I think he has a new standard now. I feel that if he’s going to be back in public service, he’ll make it a point to have a better work-life balance.”
As the 2016 elections approach, Miguel took the bold step of running once again in the Senate as an independent contender, his desire to file for candidacy inspired by watching Heneral Luna. “After watching Heneral Luna with my wife, the movie challenged me. The beauty of that movie is it challenges you to do something for your country. Ano ka ba? (What are you?) Are you just going to sit on the fence, do nothing, and watch everything go by? Or grab it and do something? To quote it, negosyo o kalayaan? (Business or freedom?) Bayan o sarili? (Country or self?) I can always stay out of politics and continue what I am doing in business, be successful, make a good living, and earn a lot. But at the end of the day, I have to do something to make this country better again.”
Roman and Shalani Romulo
Three years after the much-talked-about wedding of Pasig representative Roman Romulo and politician-turned-TV personality Shalani, the couple remains in a blissful relationship they have. Grateful to both have backgrounds in public service, the lovebirds share how the transition to married life went and how they manage to prioritize time for each other even when loaded with the demands of their different jobs.
Roman shares: “My wife was in public service for a long time, so she understands what I do. If there’s an out-of-town trip or a meeting to go to, and if it’s something that we can do together, then we go together.” Shalani adds that “the adjustment was really easy. Our relationship is really more of accompanying each other on the things that we need to do. It’s understanding. For me, it’s the best show of love.”
The pair considers themselves blessed to have ample time to juggle work schedules and do things together, since they are still waiting for the right time to have kids. “It’s not difficult because we’re in the same field,” says Roman. “Our priority now should be attending to the people.”
Moreover, Shalani stays enthusiastic about the political projects of her husband. “Being married to a politician becomes an opportunity for me to see how government policies are being made and how it is being implemented,” she says.
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Original Penguin by Munsingwear is a retail brand established in 1955. Known for its sophisticated mix of creative and vintage design, the polo shirt featuring a logo of a penguin’s head with a bowtie has become an American classic embraced by hip and artsy youngsters. To date, the lifestyle clothing line has stores all over America, Europe, and Asia. In the Philippines, Original Penguin by Munsingwear is sold in premier retail shopping destinations around the country.
Fashion by ORIGINAL PENGUIN
Photos by SHAIRA LUNA (for the Angaras) and KENJI ONGLAO (for the Zubiris and Romulos)
Styling by RACHELLE QUE
Makeup by ALLEN ROSALES
Hairstyling by ANDY PASION
Shot at ARUGA by Rockwell in Makati City
