River Joseph shared that his decision to live with his mother, Ida Joseph, comes from wanting to be there for her after she went through several personal losses.
"She lost her son, she lost a husband, tapos last two years ago she lost her brother. Last year, she lost her dad. So kung mahirap sa akin, mas mahirap pa 'yun sa mom ko," he relayed in an interview with Ogie Diaz in his latest YouTube vlog.
With his older siblings living on their own, River decided to stay with his mom, whom he considers his best friend.
"Ngayon sa bahay, kami na lang ng mom ko kasi lahat ng older siblings ko may sarili ng bahay, may family na sila. So ngayon kami lang ng mom ko talaga. Siya talaga 'yung best friend ko ever since I was a kid. We always have each other. And I can say na sobrang lakas niya," he said.
The Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition housemate remarked that his mom is his inspiration for why he is working hard in show business.
"That's why nagta-trabaho ako ngayon. I am doing all of this kasi it's my turn now as a son to give back to my mom. I want her to rest, mag-relax ka lang, gawin mo 'yung anong gusto mong gawin. I want to be the provider. Gusto ko ako na 'yung magiging breadwinner na," he said.
He admitted he once considered moving out but decided to stay when his father passed away.
"There was a time rin na sabi ko, 'Mom move out na ako, kuha na ako ng condo sa north,' kasi ang layo namin sa South. Sabi ko sa kanya, 'Move out na ako,' pero nung nawala 'yung dad ko sabi ko I can't leave my mom kasi siya na lang maiiwan sa bahay and she's all I have rin. Sabi ko it's better na that I'm at home with her," he relayed.
The actor pointed out that our time with our parents is limited, so he wanted to make the most out of his time with his mom.
"At least lagi kaming magkasama, lagi siyang may kasama. And for me right now better din na hindi ako nag-move out nung time na 'yun... Our time with our parents is limited and now that since I lost nga my dad, I want to make time the most out of my time with my mom. I don't know how many years I have left. I don't know how many years she has left. Pero the time na we can spend together, the time we have together, make the most out of it na. Sulitin na," he said.
He added that even when he gets married, he wants his mom to continue living with him.
"Sabi ko sa kanya na parang kahit na may asawa na ako, I will still take care of you. ''Pag may sarili na akong bahay, nandun ka pa rin," he shared. "Nung bata pa ako 'yun ang sinasabi ko sa kanya na parang kahit may asawa na ako, may mga anak na ako, nandun ka pa rin sa bahay."
River, alongside his duo AZ, were recently hailed as the 4th Big Placer in Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition.