MANILA, Philippines — Kapamilya actor McCoy De Leon admitted that wedding bells between him and reel- and real-life partner Elisse Joson will not be ringing soon.
At a recent virtual press conference for his upcoming movie “Habangbuhay” with Elisse, McCoy said that they are still in the exploration stage.
"Actually, laging tinatanong sa amin 'yan, 'di lang po kayo, kahit 'yung mga kamag-anak namin, kahit 'yung mga nakakasalubong lang namin," McCoy shared.
"Ang masasabi ko lang, for now, gusto namin i-explore pa ang bawat side namin. Kung hindi niyo po alam, marami pa po kaming ini-explore ngayon. Marami pa po kaming kakaibang nalalaman sa bawat isa. Nandoon kami. Ayaw naming biglain o madaliin," he added.
For her part, Elisse said that they want to be financially stable before getting married.
“Alam naman natin with a baby, sudden din. So we want to be prepared to move forward din with our future. Kasi malaking bagay na ’yon dahil nga mayroon na din kaming anak. So we want to be prepared. Siyempre kasama doon kailangan namin mag-ipon," she said.
"Of course, importante po sa amin 'yon, mayroon pong basbas ng Diyos," she added.
McCoy and Elisse revealed last October 2021 that they are parents to their daughter Felize.
Real-life couple McCoy and Elisse are sure to touch hearts in “Habangbuhay," a Vivamax original movie streaming on April 20 on Vivamax Plus and April 22 on Vivamax.
Elisse Joson plays Bea. Diagnosed with Common Variable Immune Deficiency (CVID), her body has low levels of protective antibodies, thus making her highly susceptible to various infections. Because of this, Bea does not have the luxury to go places. Her over protective mother Lily (Yayo Aguila) just wants to keep her safe at home. In spite of this, Bea maintains a cheerful disposition. She enjoys being in her own world filled with music, dreams, and imagination. She does live streaming to interact with other people. So, all things considered, Bea is doing good. And with JR around, she’s feeling even better.
McCoy is JR, the family’s houseboy. Years ago, Bea’s nanny took him home after finding him roaming the streets in tears. JR grew up taking life too seriously, even calling himself a “sad boy." But as he learns to loosen up, Bea greatly enjoys his company. She’s proud to say that he’s the one who truly makes her feel alive. But suddenly, this man whom Bea considers her “safe space” seems to be creating a gap between them. What will become of his promise that they’ll be together for a lifetime?
“Habangbuhay” is directed by Real Florido, winner of Best Director at the London Film Awards, and Best Feature Film at the Canada International Film Festival for the movie “1st Ko Si 3rd." The same movie also won Gender Sensitivity Award at the QCinema International Film Festival.
This is McCoy and Elisse’s first movie together since 2019 when they starred in “Sakaling Maging Tayo." Since last year, McCoy has been visible on Vivamax because of the comedy series, “Puto," and the musical film “Yorme – The Isko Moreno Domagoso Story."
'On the rocks' or just promo posts?
Recently, netizens and fans expressed their support to Elisse and McCoy after seeing the couple’s cryptic posts on Facebook and Instagram stories, hinting that both had enough already.
It turned out, the posts are part of their promotional campaign for diaper brand Pampers.
McLisse, in a Pampers Power Parents Show Facebook Live with Saab Magalona and Jim Bacarro recently, revealed that they had to wake up in the middle of the night to their daughter, Felize McKenzie, crying because of the discomfort and leaks caused by the previous diaper brand they were using. They recalled that the most difficult time for them was during Felize’s first six months – Elisse would get up in the middle of the night to feed and to change diapers multiple times.
To prevent this from happening again, Elisse and McCoy have taken shifts in changing Felize’s diapers, which eventually left the couple tired, frustrated and not having enough sleep. For working parents like Elisse and McCoy, a restful sleep is important. And when your baby is uncomfortable and does not get enough sleep, that also means that the whole family does not either.
Apparently, this is a common struggle for parents. Most nighttime diaper changes are either done before baby sleeps or around the parents’ sleeping schedule to reduce the need for parent and baby to wake up at night. Parents, however, still experience instances when they wake up in the middle of the night to check their baby’s diaper. They oftentimes worry of “babad” or the soaking in free liquid on diaper’s topsheet.
But after hearing recommendations from fellow parents, McLisse decided to try the new Pampers Overnight and saw the difference in their daughter’s sleep: comfortable, uninterrupted, and free of leaks. It has Zero Babad Technology that can absorb up to a night’s pee based on average overnight loading and Zero Babad NightLock belt to prevent nighttime leaks.
During the same Facebook Live show, the couples discussed how parenting is not easy and how listening and supporting each other is essential. Saab pointed out, “Diaper problems man or other complex challenges, whether emotional, physical, mental - those are valid, and you can also always ask for help… and for us, let’s continue to give them support.”
McCoy and Elisse said that amid parenting struggles at home, they are both grateful that they equally share the caregiving duties which helps in lessening their parenting loads and worries. Saab and Jim added that having the support of other family members also helps alleviate stress as well.
The concept of equal parenting rings even more relevancy now with the celebration of the International Women’s Month last March as it emphasizes that caregiving and housework are the responsibility of both parents, and they mentioned how we need to break outdated stereotypes that women are the sole, full-time caregiver in the early stages of a child’s life.
Last year, P&G launched a program called “Share the Care” that gives its employees, regardless of their gender and marital status, eight weeks of fully paid parental leave and offers all kinds of parents different opportunities to care for and bond with the children new to their family – biological or adopted. This is beyond the standard seven days that is mandated by the Philippine law for fathers. Meanwhile, mothers continue to receive 105 calendar days of fully paid maternal leave.