A blended family is formed when a couple decides to be together and brings in their children from their previous relationships.
Resources suggest that it's not easy to make a blended family work, but thanks to these celebrity families, who serve as an inspiration to others, a family that was once "broken" can be made whole again.
Here's Smart Parenting's growing list of Filipino blended families.
9 Celebrity blended families we love
1. Camille Prats and VJ Yambao
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Smart Parenting featured the big, beautiful, and blended family of Camille Prats and VJ Yambao in a cover story in September 2022.
Camille's story in taking a second chance at love after her first husband, Anthony Linsangan, passed away is inspiring.
VJ, who used to be her elementary classmate, is now her life partner in raising four beautiful children: Ice, Nathan, Nolan, Nala.
2. Jodi Sta. Maria, Pampi Lacson, and Iwa Moto
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Who would've thought you could be besties with your ex-husband's lover? Well, that's the current set-up between actresses Jodi Sta. Maria and Iwa Moto.
Jodi and Pampi Lacson are in a healthy co-parenting relationship for their son, Thirdy, 18.
In December 2023, Jodi shared a family photo of them with the caption, "Blended, not broken."
For Iwa's part, she recently said in an Instagram post that they were able to achieve this kind of relationship "through LOVE and RESPECT."
She added, "And syempre with a lot of guidance from our Lord. Thank you po Lord for giving me my PERFECTLY IMPERFECT FAMILY."
Iwa and Pampi have two kids, Eve and Jiro.
3. Jennylyn Mercado and Dennis Trillo
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Jennylyn Mercado and Dennis Trillo are living their best lives, with their three children in tow.
Jazz, Jen's son with Patrick Garcia, found a brother in Calix, Dennis' son with Carlene Aguilar.
Jen and Dennis have been blessed with their first child together, Dylan Jayde, and are experiencing being first-time parents all over again—but this time, with a stronger support system.
Dennis revealed that the secret to building a blended family, aside from having an open communication line, is acceptance.
"Kailangan ma-accept mo, lahat lahat! Siya yung pinili mo makasama habang buhay. So kahit na may ma-discover ka na 'di mo gusto na ugali, kelangan i-accept mo lahat. Kelangan mag-adjust."
Jennylyn is also on good terms with Nikka Garcia, Patrick's current wife.
4. Derek Ramsay and Ellen Adarna
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Before getting married in 2021, both Derek Ramsay and Ellen Adarna have their own kids from previous relationships.
Derek has a son named Austin with his ex-wife Mary Christine Jolly, while Ellen has Elias, with her ex-boyfriend John Lloyd Cruz.
Now, Derek treats Elias as his own.
In an interview, Derek shared a tip for those who want to date solo parents: "If you're ready to accept a single mom or dad... or if you're not willing to accept 150 percent, then don't hurt them by getting into a relationship with them. Tanggap mo dapat yun from Day 1."
John Lloyd is now in a relationship with Isabel Santos.
Read: Isabel Santos: Carving her own path in art
5. Ogie Alcasid, Michelle Van Eimeren, and Regine Velasquez
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Regine Velasquez said it was Michelle Van Eimeren, Ogie Alcasid's ex-wife, who was the "ultimate number one factor" towards building their blended family.
The two were able to talk heart-to-heart in Australia, and Regine said, "Right away, forgiveness was given. Acceptance was given. And so there was friendship and only love."
Michelle and Ogie have two kids, Leila and Sarah. Ogie and Regine, meanwhile, have a son named Nate.
6. Sunshine Cruz, Teresa Loyzaga, Cesar Montano, Kath Angeles
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It's refreshing to see ex-couples like Sunshine Cruz and Cesar Montano celebrating occasions together not only for their kids, but because they respect each other's present lives.
Sunshine and Cesar have three daughters together, Angeline, Samantha, and Francheska. Cesar also has Diego Loyzaga, his son with Teresa Loyzaga.
In a recent interview, Sunshine shared, "Never ko tinuruan yung mga anak ko na magalit sa tatay nila kasi that's unfair. Kung ano yung issue namin ni Cesar, tayo lang."
7. Mylene Dizon and Jason Webb
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Mylene Dizon has two sons with her ex-boyfriend Paolo Paraiso, while her current partner Jason Webb has two daughters from his ex-wife Claudine Trillo.
Read: Is Mylene Dizon open to marrying partner Jason Webb?
Together, they make a "full house."
Mylene has this to say about their unique family, "Hindi naman namin sinadya, nangyari na lang. It turned out na yun pala, kumbaga kung ano sa amin ngayon, ang formula to make things work as a blended family."
8. Andi Eigenmann, Philmar Alipayo, and Jake Ejercito
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Andi Eigenmann is living her peaceful, slow-paced life in Siargao with her partner Philmar Alipayo, raising three kids: Ellie, Lilo, and Koa.
Ellie is Andi's daughter with her ex-boyfriend Jake Ejercito, with whom she has a healthy co-parenting setup.
9. Lian Paz and John Cabahug
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Lian Paz has two daughters, Xonia and Xylene, with Paolo Contis. The two girls are now being raised by her partner, John Cabahug, as his own.
John has a daughter, Lexy, from his previous relationship.
John and Lian together have a daughter named Nina, making them a blended family of six.