As the third child in a family of six, Francine Diaz said she shares a close bond not just with her parents, JM Diaz and Merdick Saenz, but also with her five siblings — Chantal, Cameron, Cali, Courtney, and Eisa. The busy actress, who currently stars in the FranSeth film She Who Must Not Be Named, shared that her mom Merdick plays no favorites inside their home.
“Lahat naman kaming magkakapatid, close kay Mama. Pero siyempre nandun pa rin ‘yung boundaries na may takot pa rin kami sa kanya kasi grabe ‘pag pinapalo kami dati, lalo ‘pag makulit. Lahat naman kami close sa nanay namin. And ngayon lang kasi, may pinagkakaabalahan siya sa sarili niya and ngayon na summer kasi, so lahat ng mga kapatid ko nasa bahay lang. So close talaga kami,” she shared.
Even at 22 years old, Francine shared just how caring her mom is to her and her siblings even if they are all grown up and have their own plans in life.
When asked what she considers the greatest gift they have given her mom, Francine didn’t have to think long. “Kami! (laughs). Mga wish ko for Mama? Naku simple lang, kasi wala naman siya masyadong hinihiling ‘yung nanay namin eh. Kasi lagi namin napaguusapan ng mga kapatid ko, ang tanging prayers namin lagi is lagi siyang safe and healthy, and that she’s always at her happiest.“
”Kasi anim po kami. So siya siyempre, buong buhay ng ina, inaalagaan niya kaming anim. Kahit na dati pagka may materyal na gift kami kay Mama, ma-a-appreciate niya ‘yun but she would always say na kami ‘yung pinakamagandang regalo sa buhay niya. Kaya ko sinabi na kami! (laughs),” she added.
READ: Francine Diaz on why she ignores her bashers: ‘Hindi naman ako perfect’
The She Who Must Not Be Named star also talked about one of the most memorable bonding moments she had with her mom during the pandemic, when she was able to spend more time at home.
“Kaming magkakapatid with our mom, wala kami masyadong pinakaactivity talaga. Pero kasi, parang two years ago, I learned how to bake. So may time nun na pinagbake namin siya ng cookies tapos nag-bake din kami ng cake for her. Tapos sobrang tuwang-tuwa siya kasi hindi niya akalain na kaya naming magluto ng ganun eh, ng pastries (laughs). Bukod sa siyempre given na kasi ‘yung mga memories na meron kami with her nung bata kami. Pero ‘yun ‘yung pinakatumatak sa akin ngayon na siya naman ‘yung mapaglutuan namin,” she shared.