Amy Perez opens up about marriage and motherhood

Amy Perez sees no reason to be alarmed at the current competition among noontime shows —It’s Showtime on GTV Channel, E.A.T. over TV5 and Eat Bulaga on GMA 7. She believes it is a healthy one and a good sign to create more job opportunities for people in the entertainment industry.

“I’m very happy because it’s healthy. ‘Yung industriya natin sa television is back. Hindi ba lahat may trabaho — mapaharap ng camera, likod ng camera, utility — and it’s good for everybody,” Amy said.

Being one of the hosts of It’s Showtime makes her feel young because, according to her, “the vibe in the show is different. You see a different kind of energy with Madlang Pipol, it’s fun.

Makakalimutan mo ‘yung problema mo when you do a noontime show, ng panandalian lang naman, but after that, you have to face the daily things you have to deal in life,” she added.

The noontime show also allows her to be herself even while in front of the cameras.

“With the Madlang Pipo

Photo shows Amy with kids and husband Carlo.

TV HOST'S INSTAGRAM

l, I can dance, I can sing kahit na minsan mali-mali na ako at pinagtitiwalaan nila ako, it’s still me, so okey lang.”

Amy joined It’s Showtime in 2016, but before that, she had hosting stints in various morning and afternoon shows. She, too, appeared in Eat Bulaga when it aired on ABS-CBN.

She finds hosting a morning show requiring a certain dedication and a “different level of responsibility” to put into it as opposed to doing an afternoon show. Waking up before the sun rises is never easy and “one needs an extra spirit in order for you to get up,” Amy described the amount of effort needed to make it to the morning show on time.

“But you can also do a lot of things after the morning show. Nakakapag-exercise pa ako and then, I attend to my kids (Adi, Kyle and Seyah),” she remarked.

It is not often that we get to hear Amy talking about her personal life. Thus, no one knew that there was a time when she was faced with many challenges and personal tragedies that she was ready to give up life.

“It came to a point that I challenged the Lord. I went to the rooftop of the condo (building) where I lived before. I said, ‘Lord, are there still many challenges that You’re going to give to me? Give them all to me, I will take them all.’ Then, I realized ang dami ko palang ipinilit na bagay bilang isang tao. Ako ‘yung tipong lahat planado, lahat detalyado.”

Amy described her first marriage with ex-husband and former vocalist of South Border Brix Ferraris as the most challenging and darkest phase she ever went through. “I came to a point that I surrendered everything to the Lord.”

She fervently prayed for peace of mind and let God take care of things beyond her control. Amy shared, things slowly turned out smooth for her and found a new love. She met Carlo Castillo whom she married in 2014.

Get to know more about Amy through our exclusive interview. Below are excerpts.

Right now, what do you know for sure about love?

“Love takes time. No one can force it to happen. I don’t believe in love at first sight because when I first met Carlo, I never thought na magugustuhan niya ako. Ako, na-gwapuhan lang ako ng very, very light (laughs).”

What do you know for sure about heartache?

“It’s really painful to be heartbroken but the time will come when you feel you’re already healed and when that day comes, it feels good to look back at it and you get to share that heartache with other women and they try to learn from that heartache.”

What do you know for sure about being a mother?

“It was very tough (being a mom). There’s no secret formula. I realized that every child has a different personality and you can’t compare one to the other. You also have to honor their feelings. This generation now, their feelings are so important to them that they get to talk to you whatever it is they’re feeling about, they open up. When you stop them, they feel like, ‘How can you do that to me?’ But during our time, when we’re told to stop, we stop. ‘Pag sinabi sa atin na tama na o hindi mo p’wedeng tanungin yan, wala na, it stops there.”

What do you know about marriage?

“It’s only during the pandemic when I learned that when you say unconditional love, it’s like something that you have to give up your own, not your happiness but your pride, talagang ibababa mo, and then, you’ll ask yourself if you really love this person and spend the rest of your life with him (or her). Can you also swallow your pride when your beliefs have been compromised na parang sa iyo alam mong tama, pero sa kanya hindi?”

“I agree that unconditional love does not give permission to any of the parties to hurt anyone, but for you to be together for a long time, meron kang iibahin na perspektibo mo sa mga bagay-bagay.”

Family or career?

“Family.”

Host or actress?

“Host.”

Mabuting asawa o maarugang ina?

“Maarugang ina.”

Describe your children.

“My joy.”

Describe Carlo.

“My everything.”

Sexiest part of Carlo’s body.

“His eyes.”

What’s the best thing about being in your early 50s?

“I can now do whatever I like, I am relaxed now.”

What’s the most important lesson you learned about marriage?

“It takes time. Everything takes time.”

What’s the most important lesson you learned as a host?

“Value your craft.”