All is well in the Yllana household again. After a brief storm in their married life, Anjo Yllana and Jackie Manzano are starting to enjoy family life again, especially now that their fourth child, Sean Nathan, has turned a year old.
Last Friday, January 9, the celebrity couple hosted a belated Madagascar-themed birthday and christening party for Sean Nathan, who was born in the U.S on December 6, 2007. The party was held at the Greenmeadows Subdivision clubhouse in Quezon City.
Sean Nathan was baptized under Christian rites. Celebrities asked to be godparents to the child include former senator Tito Sotto, Gretchen Barreto, Michael V, and Sharon Cuneta.
Anjo said he could not resist naming the baby "Sean" after well-admired Hollywood celebrities.
"Yung Sean kasi, Sean Connery, Sean Penn... Yung anak ko kasi na 'yan, ipinanganak sa States, so first time kong magkakaanak na Amerikano. Ang asawa ko kasi, sabi niya, 'Miguel' [ang ipangalan sa bata]. Sabi ko, ‘Huwag naman, kano 'yan e, tatawagin mong Miguel?' Dapat 'yan American, Sean," Anjo told PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) and YES! magazine.
The couple got the second name Nathan from the suggestion of the baby's nurse abroad.
Jackie took care of the party preparations herself, even spending a week poring over design ideas for a car-shaped birthday cake with Madagascar charters riding it.
"Ito ang uso ngayon saka hilig ng mga bata. Ang hirap kaya maghanap ng Madagascar! Yung cake, isang linggo niya [Jackie] hinanap sa Internet yung design," Anjo said about the theme of the party.
Nathan's birthday and Christening party included unlimited access to snack booths that kids ogle at the mall like Dipping Dots ice cream, Potato Corner, Candy Corner, and The Big Chill. There was also a face painting and glitter tattoo booth that children and adults enjoyed.
"Yung wife ko lang talaga ang nag-asikaso. Ako, yung financer lang," he smiled.
"Yun talaga ang role niya!" Jackie seconded.
Though the couple entertain the possibility of having another child, Jackie's present medical condition would still not be advisable for another pregnancy.
In the early months of her pregnancy with Sean Nathan, Jackie was diagnosed with enlargement of the heart, which made her pregnancy precarious.
"Sabi ng doctor, puwede pa daw mag-recover. Kaya lang, years, and with medication," said Jackie.
Jackie and Anjo said that after their brief separation last year, their relationship is now more intact.
"Ngayon maganda ang relasyon namin para sa akin. Kasi dati para kaming may wall lagi. Dati kasi para kaming mag-ama. Ngayon, para kaming magkasing-age. Parang magkabarkada lang," Anjo said.
The couple has a 13-year age gap.
"Dati parati kaming nagkokontrahan," he added.
Anjo said being active in Bible studies strengthened his resolve to improve their marriage.
"Ang laking tulong sakin nung Bible study, especially sa marriage," he said.
CLICK HERE for more photos of Sean Nathan's birthday celebration.