"I always think about my kids when intrigues like this comes along," sabi niya. "Parang automatic na kapag malungkot ka, you think of your children. You don't want them to see you na nahihirapan ka or nalulungkot ka. You want to always be strong sa paningin nila. Kaya nga my kids are my source of strength, always."

CHRISTMAS WITH HER KIDS. Nitong nakaraang Pasko ay nakasama ni Pops ang dalawang anak niya. Hindi raw siya nagpaka-busy this holiday season kasi gusto niyang maka-bonding ang kanyang mga anak.

"Last year kasi, hindi ko nakasama sina Robin at Ram. So last December 25, magkakasama kami. I missed my kids kasi nga the rest of 2009, I was always doing shows here and abroad. I only get to talk to them sa telepono or kapag nag-aabot kami sa bahay before I leave or before they leave.

"Kaya nga this December, wala akong birthday concert na plinano because I want to spend lots of time with my kids. Natupad naman ang wish ko kasi after Christmas, we went somewhere out of town. Doon na kami nag-bonding and we caught up on so many things. Tapos nag-exchange gifts kami. It was so fun at na-miss ko gawin 'yan with my kids," masayang kuwento ni Pops.

This New Year ay makakasama niya ulit ang mga anak for a simple celebration sa kanilang bahay.

"It's going to be a simple dinner for us sa bahay. Wala naman akong tinanggap na work on New Year's Eve kasi nga I want to focus on my kids for a change. Kahit na mas malalaki pa sila sa akin, para pa rin silang mga babies kapag kasama ko sila."

Binati ba siya ng ex-boyfriend niyang si Jomari Yllana nitong nakaraang Pasko?

"Oo naman, kasi nagkita kami ni Jom sa isang Christmas party ng common friend namin. Nagkagulatan pa kami kasi hindi ko alam na he would be there. Parang instinct na magbabatian kayo ng Merry Christmas, di ba?

"But we didn't get to talk naman, kasi he was with his friends and I was with mine. 'Tsaka nandoon pa rin naman yung feeling na naiilang kayo sa isa't isa. I think hindi naman mawawala 'yon. It will take some time before you get adjusted again, di ba? But what's important naman is we greeted one another and that's okay na."

Sa kanyang ex-husband na si Martin Nievera, hindi ba ito nagbalak na maki-join sa kanila noong Pasko at sa Bagong Taon?

"Nagpadala na lang siya ng regalo sa amin!" tawa ni Pops. "I guess he's very busy during the holidays kaya nag-send na lang siya ng greetings niya at ng mga regalo. But we will be working again naman together sa 2010. May reunion concert ulit kami kaya abangan na lang nila 'yan."