Garbed in colorful outfit with matching headdress that adds charm to her happy persona, Tessa Prieto-Valdes never seems to tire while roaming around and posing for souvenir shots with moms and kids before the start of Mongol Color and Magic Show which she recently hosted at the Trinoma Activity Center. The kiddie event was held for the benefit of Diether Ocampo’s KIDS Foundation.
“I’m such a kid at heart,” Tessa says as she mingles with the kids and throws loving glances at four-year-old daughter Athena who was busy with her coloring kit.
“I really enjoy anything that has to do with Athena or coloring because I think I’m in midlife crisis now. My eldest is 24 and the second one, also a boy, is 14. This one (pointing to Athena) came at a time when I was a little over 40. And having her in the house is such a joy so all things like going to school, buying stuff, toys and even parties and events, I really enjoy.”
Tessa adds it is Athena — among her kids — who makes her feel a mom again. “She’s always clinging to me and I so love it. My second to the youngest is 12 and she’s like ‘I have my own lakad.’”
And by the time her youngest hits 15, Tessa assumes she’ll be “a lola na.” Thus, enjoying every minute with her children is tops in her priority list. Besides, Tessa finds bonding with them keeps her young as she enjoys most of the things they love to do.
But have you ever wondered if her daughters dress up the way she does?
“Among all my kids, she (Athena) is my mini-me. We just love to dress up.
Asked how many dresses in fascinating colors does she have, Tessa answers, “Oh my God, as many as Imelda has shoes.”
Does styling and choosing her outfit eat up a lot of time? Every day is different but basically on a normal day, Tessa shares how she divides time for herself, family and work.
6:30 a.m. — I wake up for a run. Having shake between a run is my breakfast na din.
9 a.m. — Attend the yoga class and then a quick shower
I usually go to Mass at noon and have lunch somewhere.
2 p.m. — In the afternoon, it’s mostly work in interior design.
I do have a column on Sundays but that is on my Friday sked.
5 or 6 p.m. — It’s either I’m in an event or in a parlor, ha,ha,ha,ha.
8:30 p.m. — Dinner with my husband. I see my husband only for dinner, ha,ha,ha,ha.
10 p.m. — We either watch a movie (Tessa loves watching sci-fi and romantic flicks) or hang out with the kids at home. Or if we go out, we’re normally at Rockwell.
And sometimes on weekends, we’re in the beach or out golfing, it depends.
3 a.m. — I go to sleep. I try to sleep earlier but I’m on Facebook playing scrabble for like three hours.
Sometimes from 12 midnight to 3 a.m. — I check my e-mails. — Bot Glorioso