Melai Cantiveros opened up about why she and her husband, Jason Francisco, have a conservative and strict approach to parenting.
The celebrity couple has two daughters, Stela and Mela.
"Bantay-sarado, kasi kapag ilabas kasi 'yun baka magulo ang mundo. Ang ingay kasi ng mga batang 'yan,” she quipped in an interview with Karen Davila.
Joking aside, Melai said they want their daughters to grow up with strong values and become good, responsible people.
"This is a serious na kasi talaga. Hindi na ito 'yung parang MelaSon lang kami na magloko-loko lang kami na love team na para lang kaming mag-jowa-jowa. Nung pinasok na namin ang marriage, meron nang serious na life, na meron kaming dalawang tao na bubuhayin. Dapat lumaki itong, hindi siyang lumaking salot sa lipunan, lumaki silang maayos na tao," she said.
When asked if they plan to have another baby, Melai replied: "We want a boy, but then again kung maging kamukha ko lang din o kamukha ni Papa, siguro we will just, we're gonna leave it to God."
As for whether they are trying for another child, the comedienne quipped: "The trying is always there, alam mo naman ang marriage. Always naman talaga pero hindi ko alam kay Jason."
In the same interview, Melai was also asked who does the decision-making in their household.
"Ang boss talaga sa bahay 'pag mga decision talaga, talagang si Jason talaga because I submit myself sa mga decision si Jason, pero ako lahat ang gumagawa ng first step. So ang unang gagawin natin, tapos ilalatag namin sa aming punong-guro, 'Ito na po gagawin natin Mr. Jason," she explained.
Melai also shared how Jason has never been insecure about her fame.
"My husband is a very secure person," she remarked. "Hindi na siya nagsho-showbiz pero may commercial kami because meron siyang businesses. My husband is a very secure person kaya nga dati gusto niyang mag-security guard eh."
She went on: "Oo, gusto niya mag-security guard talaga bago siya pumasok sa PBB. Bago siya sa PBB nakapasa na siya sa security guard so PBB na lang."
Melai added that even when it comes to their finances, Jason has always been open and generous, never making her feel pressured about her earnings as a celebrity.
"Very secure ang husband ko... You know what, my husband ever since pa lang, I am proud to say talaga bago kami mag-marriage talagang very old school siya na [sabi niya], 'Ang pera ko ay pera natin. Ang pera mo, pera mo.' Wala talaga siyang pakiaalam sa pera ko pero ang pera niya pini-present niya sa akin, ganito niya ginastos, binigay niya sa akin. Kasi sa aming dalawa talaga, siya ang mahilig mag-invest. Matipid. Hindi siya makatulog. Kunwari may pera siya, i-invest niya talaga 'yan," she relayed.
In a past interview with Ogie Diaz, Melai also discussed the secret to having a strong and happy marriage with Jason. "Understanding at respect, 'yun ang number one sa relasyon. Love, kahit ihuli mo na 'yun," she said.
"'Yung love, 'yun ang opening remarks. Pero sa relasyon, para magtagal, respect na at understanding. Intindihin mo. 'Sangkatutak na intindi talaga," the television host added.
Melai also said that they will always choose each other. "Andun pa rin na pipiliin ang isa’t isa, kasi para sa mga bata. At para sa 'I do' namin sa simbahan," she stated.
Melai and Jason tied the knot on December 9, 2013 at the Holy Cross Parish in General Santos City.