Page 153 - Philippine Tatler (April 2019)
P. 153
The couple had planned to have the
kids earlier, but their surrogate had
to travel, delaying the arrival of the
twins by several months, falling right
smack into the campaign season
get attacked for not having children of my “That morning after the initial count, we
own. But even though I knew in my heart I held hands tightly. No words. It meant, “we
would one day have kids, I also always said move on.” A week later, we were climbing a
that women can choose not to have children, mountain somewhere up north.”
too. Having children does not define us. We The call to public service, nevertheless,
define ourselves. And daughters should also proved too strong to ignore, and Mar has
be taught this.” returned to the political fray, running for
The last couple of years have been a time senator once more in the forthcoming mid-
of reflection and rest, particularly after term elections.
Mar’s failed presidential run. The loss was “Mar was tortured deciding if he should
a blow, she acknowledges, but the couple run again,” Korina confesses. “That’s why he
took it in stride. announced it quite late. There were many
“Mar is a big boy and a very smart one. He essential considerations to settle in his heart
is keenly aware of what Philippine elections and head. We were also living our best life
are like. It is a costly game. But you throw away from the daily demands of work. Since
your hat in the ring because you want to we met, we’ve both led crazy, busy, and
make the world a better place to live in for separate lives. Now we get to do activities
as many people as possible. I think the risk together more often—we get to sleep in and
he took with the physical, emotional, and binge-watch our favourite tv shows and we
financial investment alone, for that chance, get to plan for our future. For so long, it was
earns him a ticket to heaven. But he wanted always about getting through the day, for so
to see the Philippines at its best in his long. And then we found ourselves on top
lifetime—and one of the biggest means to do of mountains touching the sky or under the
that is by being President. sea swimming with sharks and whales. Who
“We hardly ever talked or talk about would want to go back swimming with sharks
defeat. We’re the same that way. You’re who walk the land on two legs?”
a victim, you’re defeated if you believe Starting a family when they did also made
yourself to be a loser. Naku, we both hardly Mar’s decision to run an even more difficult one. dog’s life
ever think ourselves as unable. This is not The couple had planned to have the kids earlier, (opposite)
to say we both didn’t learn valuable lessons but their surrogate had to travel, delaying the Korina’s
here. Mar had to process. So did I. I respect arrival of the twins by several months, falling love for her
Mar’s space and, as much as I’m never a nag, right smack into the campaign season. dogs led
her to found
I also don’t like shoving my face into his Campaigning for senator, fortunately, is The Korina
when I know he needs to be alone. There’s scaled down compared to campaigning for Sanchez
not much talking between us about certain president. Korina thinks she doesn’t need to Adopt a
subjects because I think we already know be involved. “I’m there when needed. How Dog & Cat
what the other is thinking or feeling. I do I feel about it? Even while he was thinking Foundation;
Leopard print
believe we are in agreement in our analysis through running again, I already knew in sheer dress by
of what happened in 2016. agreement he should continue to serve. It is Longchamp
.
philippine tatler april 2019 153
