Are Richard Gomez, 53, and Lucy Torres, 44, still thinking of giving their 18-year-old daughter Juliana a sibling?
In the past years, the couple had been vocal about wanting to have another baby, and in their latest interview with PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) during the celebration of the 3rd Piña Festival in Ormoc City, Leyte, last June 23, they admitted to considering the scientific option.
The mayor of Ormoc City said, "Last month, I told Lucy, 'What about the idea of freezing our sperm cells and eggs just in case ba, one day, we want to have another baby?' Sabi ko, I think it's a good idea din.'"
But they are not yet completely sold on it, especially the representative of Leyte's fourth district.
Richard continued, "Ang ayaw lang niya kasi dun sa idea na, if you want to bear a child, you have to fertilize mga five eggs, 'tapos pipiliin mo kung ano yung pinakamalakas, 'tapos ika-cull mo na yung maiiwan. Yun ang ayaw niya."
LUCY SAYS NO TO SURROGATE MOTHER
In case they both agree on conceiving via the in vitro fertilization, a process where an egg is combined with sperm outside the body, Richard revealed that Lucy prefers not to have a surrogate mother.
"I'm sure she wants to carry it," said the actor-politician.
If that happens, Lucy said she will watch the food she eats, "Oo naman, gulay-gulay lang iyan."
Richard threw in, "Ayoko kasi ng surrogate mother, e. Kasi, alam mo yung… blood transfusion nga lang, coming from another person, meron kang mapi-pick up from that person.
"What more if that child grows inside another person?
"Maaaring yung traits nung bata, makuha niya yun dun sa nag-carry."
Lucy then brought up her misgivings.
"Hindi ko nga alam, e," she said, carefully choosing her words.
"I don’t know how to feel about it, kasi the idea is nice… I like the idea, nakakatuwa when you see all these mga surrogate babies.
"Hindi ko lang alam if that's something we will eventually do or consider."
If she will have her way, Lucy would want to get pregnant again naturally.
"Kasi ako, I'm always na parang all in God's plan and time.
"Parang, life for me is the art of the possible ba, and also acknowledging that there is somebody greater ang bigger than yourselves."
A prayerful woman, she believes things will happen if it's part of God's plans for her and Richard.
"All my life naman, marami akong ipinasa-Diyos, ipinaubaya sa Kanya.
"Parang wala na talaga akong naiisip na plan, 'no?
"If I look back, wala akong nakapanday na kung saan ako itutulak ng Diyos at ng tadhana. Sumusunod lang ako.
"God, this is what I want, but give it to me according to Your will.
"If it's meant for me, it happens. If it doesn't then, so be it," she said.