Mela and Stela Francisco—daughters of Melai Cantiveros and her husband Jason Francisco—have taken social media by storm with their adorable and funny antics.
Most recently, the two went viral for their meme-worthy "chicken nuggets" video.
Related article: Five cute moments of Ate Mela and Baby Stela Francisco
Last Friday, November 18, 2022, PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) caught up with Melai at the grand launch of Araneta City's Christmas on Display and talked about her daughters' viral funny videos on social media.
Melai is just glad that her kids were able to make people happy and spread good vibes online.
She told PEP.ph, "Natuwa lang ako dahil sa chicken nuggets, talagang na-happy ang mga tao sa kanila, kaya, thank you so much!”
Asked how she feels now that her daughters are certified social media darlings, Melai was just full of gratitude and said, "Salamat naman, sir, salamat sa inyong pagkuwan paglarawan na sikat na mga anak ko.
"Thank you so much! Sobra akong happy kung totoo talaga yan at talagang nagagalak ako na maraming nagmamahal sa mga anak ko.
"Kasi dun pa lang, parang mga ninang niya na lahat yang mga nagmamahal, kaya thank you so much sa lahat ng nagmamahal, mahal na mahal ko din kayo.
"Naa-appreciate ko talaga bilang nanay yun."
Will she allow her daughters to join showbiz, too?
Melai said not anytime soon.
She told PEP.ph, "Kung talagang papalarin sila, kung pagbibigyan ng Panginoon na dito ilagay yung journey nila sa show business.
"Talagang sobra akong happy, pero hindi ko masyado nakikitaan kasi nga si Jayson ang balancer namin, e.
"So, ngayon gina-grab lang namin yung mga opportunities...
"Pero ang focus talaga nila is school, pero kahit papaano nakikitaan ko kasi na ini-invite-invite sila kasi natatawa mga tao sa kanila."
HANDLING SIBLING JEALOUSY
As a parent, Melai admits that she usually plays as the "bad cop" to their daughters. But the Magandang Buhay host noted that her husband Jason is also strict in some ways.
She expounded, "Mas strict sa disiplina ako. Pero sa about sa lifestyle, about sa pagkain mga ganun, si Jayson. Pagkain, sa mga health, si Jayson.
"Pero yung about sa disiplina yung parang malikot, ako yun."
Melai revealed that one of her current struggles as a mom to two daughters is when they often feel jealous of each other.
But one of her constant reminders to Mela and Stela is that they should always love each other and have each other's backs.
"Ang pangaral ko, ang disiplina ko sa kanila is kunwari ang pinag-awayan nila is yung laruan, kahit gaano kamahal yung laruan, tinatapon ko.
"Kasi parang walang… pinapakita ko gaano man kamahal, napakawalang-kwenta niyan kasi mas precious pa rin yung relasyon niyo.
"So dapat pag-isipan niyo muna na pag-aawayan niyo yan bago niyo i-pull off yung gulo. So talagang pag-isipan niyo kung mahal niyo talaga ang isa't isa. In fairness naman, effective."
She added, "Ang pangaral ko is be happy to your ate and be happy to your sister para walang inggitan.
"So, kung anong blessing ni Ate, blessing mo rin yun, yung blessing ni Sister mo, at 'wag kayo mag-compete sa isa't isa kasi ang life is not a competition, your own journey yun."
CHRISTMAS PLANS
Meanwhile, PEP.ph also asked Melai about their plans for Christmas.
This year, they are planning to celebrate it in her hometown in General Santos City.
Melai quipped, "Ang plans namin for Christmas is pupunta sa inyo, charot!"
On a serious note, she continued, "Sa GenSan [General Santos] kami, kasi last year sa Mindoro, so, ngayon GenSan naman kami.”
Has she bought her gifts for Mela and Stela?
Melai said she's planning to buy the toy house her daughters have been eyeing for quite a while.
"May naka-ready na ako kasi parang sobrang mahal kasi nung nakita namin sa mall, 'tapos lagi nila tinitignan, sabi ko naman, 'Ay mahal yan, di pwede yan!'
"So baka yun na yung gift ko sa kanila this Christmas because, napakasipag naman nila...
"Parang house ata yun na may mga rabbit, di ko alam yung pangalan. Basta house na may mga rabbit, yun ang parang nilalaro nila.
"Pero nalulungkot sila kasi [sinasabi ko], 'Uy, mahal yan" ginaganun ko. Pero pag ngayong Christmas, ibibili ko sila.”
READ MORE:
- How Melai Cantiveros teaches daughters Mela, Stela humility
- Melai Cantiveros, moms reveal various ways to discipline children
- Melai Cantiveros reveals battle with postpartum depression: "Para akong baliw."
- Melai Cantiveros to basher who called her daughter "pangit": "mahahanap kita at dedemanda kita"