Five years and three children later, Divine Lee acknowledges she still has much to learn and share about motherhood.
Divine’s IVF journey is subject to many opinions, both good and bad. It doesn’t matter to the socialite, as she believes her story has done more good to women.
READ Divine Lee no regrets about having "IVF kids"
She recalled her IVF journey in an exclusive interview with PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) during the Southeast Asia launch of Elizabeth Arden’s new Advanced Light Ceramide Capsules at Sheraton Cebu Mactan Resort last May 18, 2023.
Divine first reflected on why she chose to freeze her eggs, giving much credit to Korina Sanchez.
READ Korina Sanchez creating a happy home with Pepe and Pilar
The broadcast journalist advised Divine about harvesting her eggs, despite not being sure when Divine would get married.
"When I did it, it wasn’t normal. It was really frowned upon.
"Because I am so open about it, parang it’s my advocacy now," Divine says.
"I did it because it was like future-proofing myself. Korina Sanchez knew that I was so high on life.
"She said, ‘Alam mo, ang dami-dami mong ginagawa, ang saya-saya mo sa buhay mo, pero yung edad mo hindi match. Why don’t you freeze your eggs?'
"What Korina saw, I didn’t see it sa sarili ko na I am so high on life. She saw me rushing from one meeting to another ganap and working, working, working.
"Sabi niya mukhang hindi pa ako mag-aasawa, tapos she asked me about marriage wala akong masagot. But I knew I wanted a family."
Divine revealed that she and Korina both underwent egg freezing at the same time.
"So, technically, Pepe and Pilar and my son and my daughter are all the same age.
"Same doctor, same everything because at that time I was in my 20s, sino naman kabarkada ko na may alam niyan? No one was thinking about it."
READ Pepe and Pilar Roxas have cute requests on their first day in school
DEALING WITH SKEPTICS
At the beginning of her IVF journey, Divine encountered skeptics who questioned her choice to freeze her eggs.
"Everyone was saying, even my aunts: ‘Anong kalokohan iyan? Waste of money. Ayaw mo ba mag-asawa?'" she recalled.
Divine faced discouragement from some individuals who believed that the high cost of IVF made it an impractical choice for her.
"Sasabihin nila mahal ang IVF. For me, it’s not mahal because I divided [the cost] by three kids. And meron pa akong dalawang extra na I am planning to do after I finish my house [in Cebu]."
Despite the discouragement, Divine and her husband, businessman Blake Go, are overjoyed with the success of their three IVF journeys. Divine also expressed a desire to have more children in the future.
"It’s the best advice anyone gave me. I am always thankful to Korina.”
helping others
Divine remains committed to sharing her knowledge and experiences with others.
"Because I am so open about my story, hindi mo alam ilang tao ang umiyak sa akin because they want a child and they don’t have a chance anymore.
"Kahit naman iyang IVF, may time limit iyan. They are saying, ‘Bakit walang Korina sa buhay namin? Bakit walang nagsabi?'
"I heard so many sad stories, I have so many people crying to me. Some of them people I don’t even know, they message me on IG.
"And I answer because I know it’s a hard place to be. No one is forcing anyone, but at least, they know they have that option."
It’s because of these beliefs that Divine remains unfazed by the criticisms from bashers of IVF.
"I was bashed, but wala sa akin yung bashing. Medyo deadma akong tao. I feel kasi mas marami akong natutulungan."
She continued, "Just because of the articles you guys write, I get a lot of messages.
"Siguro, lagpas na yung 50 na ninang ako online. They say, ‘Alam mo dahil sa nabasa namin pinuntahan namin yung doctor mo.’
"Even my doctor said of me, ‘You know she is my biggest marketing billboard.’
"People come, and the doctor asks, ‘Paano mo ako nahanap?’ and they say ‘Kay Divine po, pero hindi niya ako friend.’
Divine repeated, "For me, okay lang i-bash niyo ako kasi mas marami akong natulungan."
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