Pauleen Luna-Sotto with Tali and Mochi for Smart Parenting | May 2024
After weeks of coordinating directly with Smart Parenting, Pauleen Luna-Sotto joined a Zoom interview on a Friday afternoon, ten minutes before the call time, her hair still wet from a bath. For a mom three months postpartum, it's a luxury to be able to shower before 7 PM, a detail the new mom of two points out. The first words Pauleen said upon joining the call were a reminder to ignore the throbbing sound of her electric breast pump.
If you have been following her on Instagram, she has been religiously breastfeeding and pumping milk for her second child, Mochi, an experience she finds enjoyable and challenging. It was different with her firstborn, Tali, whom she wasn't able to breastfeed.
"Since si Mochi na yung last baby namin, sabi ko i-try ko lang mag-breastfeed. Kasi with Tali, I had none. Zero breast milk. And then I learned along the way na pwede pala siyang dumami. As in, tiyagain mo with the right supplement and all. So with Mochi, I'm just really trying my best. I'm not an oversupplier. I'm not even an undersupplier. Just enough," she said.
The 35-year-old actress and former Eat Bulaga! host enjoys a quieter part of the limelight for now because her time and focus are on her two children.
On Pauleen: Magenta off shoulder dress, Jill Lao. On Tali: Floral dress, Gingersnaps. On Mochi: Peach dress, Gingersnaps.
Parenting Tali and Mochi
"Surprisingly, everything's been easy," was Pauleen's quick reply when asked how she's been coping with becoming a mom of two. It's a sentiment most moms who have just given birth might scramble to make. "Maybe because sobrang tagal ko siyang hinintay," she added, referring to her second-born Thia Marceline, whom they named after hers and Vic Sotto's parents, Cynthia, Pauleen's mom and Marcelino, Vic's father. The nickname Mochi was actually Tali's idea. Even before Pauleen conceived, Tali would pray, "Please, Papa Jesus, give us baby Mochi."
A few minutes into the interview, Pauleen's phone rang. It was her firstborn daughter, Talitha Maria, 6, calling from their bedroom. Tali came over to join mom's call to say hi and then reminded Pauleen to come back in the bedroom to play with her.
On Pauleen: Magenta embroidered dress, Sari Lazaro. On Tali: Blush and yellow floral dress, Gingersnaps.
At this point, I wondered what it was like to be a daughter of Pauleen and Vic.
"Normal. Very normal," she said without flinching. Pauleen shared that their household staff often thought Tali and Mochi's life would be different from most children because she and Vic are one of the most popular Filipino celebrity couples in the country.
"I think what they're referring to is that maybe our daughter would be spoiled, that's what they meant to say. They could get everything they want. Like, we'll just say yes [to everything]." Pauleen firmly said, "I really discipline my children. I'm very big on that. Because I want them to grow up well. I don't want them to feel superior over anybody."
"Very, very normal. Nothing out of the extraordinary," she emphasized.
Giving birth
After six years of marriage to Vic Sotto, a veteran actor and pillar of the longest-running noontime variety show, Eat Bulaga!, Pauleen delivered Talitha Maria on November 6, 2017 via emergency caesarean section a month ahead of her due date. Six years later, she underwent a scheduled caesarean section in January, giving birth to Mochi.
"I don't know if it's because it's your second CS, your body already knows [what's happening]. But the recovery was very easy this time," Pauleen shared. In fact, she's already asked her OB-Gyne if she could go back to working out.
"I think the only difference was my recovery this time was two parts. The first part was right after the operation. Weird because the epidural had a different effect on me this time. I kept on throwing up. I filled up about nine bags of vomit. Just clear liquid. But I guess because I was throwing up so much, I was able to get all the medicine out. I was only in the hospital for two days. See?And then, on the fourth day, I took out all my pain meds. I was back to normal. I don't know why. It's so easy. So easy," Pauleen said.
Navigating through having two children
The real challenge, Pauleen said, was figuring out how to split the love between her two kids. "Umiiyak ako whenever I look at Tali before giving birth, kasi parang I'm turning my back on her. Parang hindi ko maibibigay yung 100 percent sa kanya."
"Dito na muna ako sa bahay and I'm happily doing it. I'm happily doing it for my children because you know, truth be told, I can't even remember when it started but it's always been my dream to be a mom." —Pauleen Luna-Sotto
Having Mochi also complicated things between her and Tali, especially during the first few weeks. "It's a different thing kasi when you pray about it and you talk about it and you're excited, versus nandiyan na yung baby," Pauleen recounted.
"The first month was filled with tears. Iyakan talaga. The first two weeks, naging iritable siya. She complained a lot. At first, I got angry, and then it dawned on me na 'What am I doing?' Dapat nga mas iniintindi ko siya because hindi niya ma-explain yung nararamdaman niya," she said.
"I learned that I should've been the bigger person, because I'm really the bigger person," Pauleen said. "She's such a kind and loving kid tapos naging ganun, so ang initial reaction ko was to get mad, but then I should've understood her better. Dapat conscious parenting ang mangyari hindi yung kung ano lang yung matira, kung ano lang yung oras na matira from the newborn yun yung nabibigay ko sa kanya."
On Pauleen: Light blue camisole and blazer, grey pants all from Yoya. On Tali:
Celadon green dress, Gingersnaps.
Her recent prayers, she revealed, is asking the Lord for wisdom to say the right things and to discern how she can manage raising two kids. "I would take her out. Punta lang kami ng arcade for an hour tapos uuwi na kami. Masaya na siya noon kasi nabigyan ko na siya ng time na siya lang eh."
She says she's grateful for having a support system who affirmed her that she doesn't need to split the love that she has for her two kids because it will multiply. Pauleen said candidly, "I was like, how? How do I multiply? When all the love that I have is with Tali na? They said, 'Ah, just wait. Maghintay ka lang. Hindi mawawalan si Tali ng pagmamahal. Madadagdagan ka lang ng pagmamahal para sa bunso."
Raising kids in the digital age
Pauleen began her show business career when she joined Little Miss Philippines, a talent contest of Eat Bulaga! in 1995. She started acting at age 13, and more recently, became a regular host on Eat Bulaga! from 2005 until getting pregnant with Mochi in 2023.
"Dito na muna ako sa bahay and I'm happily doing it. I'm happily doing it for my children because you know, truth be told, I can't even remember when it started but it's always been my dream to be a mom. So ito, sobrang enjoy ako dito. This is my season. I love this season, this part of my life," she shared.
What Pauleen loves about being a mother is having the opportunity to guide her children into the world. In doing so, she is learning a lot from them, emotionally and mentally.
"If you really look closely, you will learn a lot from these children. So, I am having the time of my life. If you ask me if I miss my old work, I do, but not enough for me to give this up," she said.
Their family's fame has inevitably placed them in the receiving end of negative comments and unsolicited advice. "I guess, one of the challenging things is, because it's one thing for the parents to be under the limelight, but it's another thing for the children to be under the limelight," she explained.
"Of course as parents, we're always so proud of our children. In this day and age, we want to share our children. Especially me, I'm so natural. I try to be my most authentic self even on social media. Even if on social media, everyone wants to be that perfect mom, that perfect parent. I try to show that different part of me. Because behind the camera, I am in no way a celebrity," Pauleen said.
"Do not be pressured to be that perfect mom. Because there is no such thing. We trip, we stumble, we make mistakes, and that's okay." —Pauleen Luna-Sotto
She believes she and Vic are simple and ordinary people when they're not working. And one of her fears is if her kids become involved and receive unnecessary bashing from strangers. "People make memes about children. As a mom, gusto ko lang naman i-share yung happiness ko. I just want to share my joy and my happiness. You know, you cannot control other people. There is really a bad side to social media. It's not all happiness and positivity."
Instead of answering comments, Pauleen pours her efforts on her daughters, guiding them to understand and learn how to filter comments. She teaches them to know that does not matter, and to focus on what does.
Pauleen also ensures that what she puts out on social media is who she really is. "Pressure in society is real, and it can affect our daily lives. And since we are on this platform where we can reach out to a lot of people, personally, I want to show them that that side [when she's in front of the cameras] is not real."
She added, "Ito yung totoo. So do not be pressured to be sexy agad. Do not be pressured to be fresh all day. It's a miracle I took a shower at 1:47 PM. Yesterday, I took a shower at 7 PM."
She emphasized, "Do not be pressured to be that perfect mom. Because there is no such thing. We trip, we stumble, we make mistakes, and that's okay. You know, even if that mom has more milk and you have less, that's okay because that is your best. And you're doing your best for your child. You do not need to compare."
Pauleen said that it took her time to realize that she should avoid comparing her life to what she sees online. "Nung simula, I admit na I would compare na bakit 'yung iba sexy agad, bakit 'yung iba can do this agad, bakit 'yung iba mas maraming milk, more than me."
She added, "But then I realized, my child's eyes, they're locked on me. That's the most important thing. What you do for her and not what you do for other people to see. If this is your best, then that's good enough. That's actually more than enough."
Disciplining their kids
In a previous interview, her husband Vic was firm that corporal punishment doesn't work as a form of discipline for his older kids. Pauleen maintains, it applies even to Tali.
"Every child is different. Spanking does not work on Tali at all," she said. What works for her at the very beginning, was giving timeouts. "When she grew up, I think, ang nag-work na sa kanya is 'yung tatanggalan mo ng gadget, or tatanggalan mo ng activity."
Vic recently celebrated his 70th birthday in Disneyland Hong Kong, and Pauleen grabbed the chance to spend some alone time with Tali and the rest of Vic's children, except Mayor Vico and Mochi.
Being a new mom again brought her closer to Danica Pingris, her stepdaughter. Danica gave birth to her third child, Jean-Luc, last year after more than a decade, which means the two were pregnant at the same time.
"Kasi I do not care what I look like when I'm with my children. I do not care where I am in my life when I'm with my children and when I'm with my husband. Talagang punong-puno, kuntentong-kuntento ako when I'm with him. Ganun ka-happy." —Pauleen Luna-Sotto
Pauleen and Danica would often call each other to ask questions and share tips. Danica asked Pauleen to be her youngest son's godmother, which made Pauleen very happy. "Sabi niya, hindi ba awkward? You're my stepmom, but you're also the ninang of of my child. Sabi rin niya, no, I don't think so. I think labels are overrated. I think it shouldn't be confined because of labels. Just because I'm this, just because I'm that."
She added, "I honestly wanted to get her as a ninang as well, pero pinigilan naman ako ni Vic kasi sabi niya, sobra naman kasi ate niya na yun. Sabi ko, 'Ay, oo nga!'"
Pauleen's message for moms on Mother's Day
Pauleen is sure that Mochi will be their last baby, so she is savoring every moment with her newborn. Motherhood may look different for everyone, but for Pauleen, it is a dream that's become a reality. Fulfilling would be the word to describe Pauleen's motherhood journey.
"My eldest daughter is the sweetest kid I know. Pag nagdi-dinner kami, di ba ang laki ng pamilya namin? So, sometimes 'yung mga kids are in one table [together]. The adults are in one table in the restaurant. Two different tables."
Tali would tell Pauleen from far away, "'Mom! Mom! I love you!' Talagang it really fills my cup. All the pagod, all the haters in the world, bahala kayo diyan sa buhay niyo!" she said.
"My small circle—it's so beautiful. It's filled with love. From my husband to my children. It is filled with so much love and happiness and joy. Talagang we're in our own little world 'eh. When I'm with my family talagang nothing else matters. And so I'm so thankful to God for I guess giving me grace and contentment.
She added, "Kasi I do not care what I look like when I'm with my children. I do not care where I am in my life when I'm with my children and when I'm with my husband. Talagang punong-puno, kuntentong-kuntento ako when I'm with him. Ganun ka-happy."
She reminds other moms that while sometimes their efforts go unnoticed, they are the best mother for their children.
"Do not gauge your motherhood with what other people say. Always remember that you are your children's world. What you do for them it's all that matters. How you treat them, how you guide them, it's all that matters to them. These children do not care what other people say. They do not care what other people think and how they see you. They just care what they see and how you are to them. So just do what you can do your best and that will be more than enough for your children," Pauleen concluded.
After an hour-long chat with this new mom of two, one cannot help but feel renewed with hope. What moms do at home may not look noble and perfect at every moment—even to moms themselves—but it's the child's point of view that matters most.
It's no wonder Tali can't help but spontaneously express her love for Pauleen, even in the most ordinary of moments.
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Photographs by Sheila Catilo
Styling by Sidney Yap
Makeup by Denise Go-Ochoa
Hairstyling by Miggy Carbonilla
Editor in Chief: Ronna Capili Bonifacio
Interview by Judy Santiago Aladin
Shoot assisted by Em Cruz, Justine Renee Cruz, and Trish Borromeo
Video producer: Cherrie Julian
Videographers: Micah Moleno and Rolando Pingco Jr.
Assisted by Brixter Brixter Luquing
Editor: Rolando Pingco Jr.
Art Director: Stephanie Ocampo
Socials by Zen Arganda
Marketing Specialist: Marie Bilgera
Growth Lead: Bettina Santos
Publisher: Iza Santos-Cuyos
