For many Filipinos who grew up watching local television since the '90s, Anne Curtis has always been a constant presence onscreen. Showbiz enthusiasts have witnessed her evolution through the years—from a charming teenage star, to becoming one of the country’s A-list actresses and hosts, and now, a hands-on mother to her daughter, Dahlia Amelie, whom she gave birth to in 2020.
People often say that motherhood changes a woman in ways far beyond the physical. It reshapes her priorities and introduces a new strength accompanied by personal growth. That can be said for Anne, who we used to know as the carefree “It girl,” navigating her youth and vibrant social life in the public eye, before settling into a more intimate, more nurturing era as a wife and mom.
Anne has become more open about conversations on the emotional realities of raising a child since then. On "It's Showtime," we've seen glimpses of that beautiful change through these heartfelt moments that reveal her vulnerable side as a mother.
In a November 2018 episode, a year after tying the knot with restaurateur Erwan Heussaff, Anne turned emotional after a 'Tawag ng Tanghalan' contender opened up about sacrificing her own dreams for the sake of her child. Deeply touched, Anne admitted, “When I hear stories like this, it makes me even more excited to be a mom.”
Adding to the sentimentality of the moment, Vice Ganda shared a sincere message to her beloved co-host, “It won’t be such a big surprise na makita ka namin kung gaano ka kagaling na nanay. You don’t have to be a perfect woman to be a perfect mother. All you have to do is have a beautiful heart and that is enough." Vice really manifested it for her "sisterette" because exactly a year later, Anne would announce her pregnancy.
Anne’s fears as a mother were stirred during an episode of ‘Miss Q & A,’ where two candidates debated over who gets hurt more when a child eventually earns their wings—the parent or the child. When asked for her thoughts, Anne turned emotional as she could not imagine the sadness that comes with watching a child grow up and slowly become independent, even if she understands that giving them freedom is an inevitable part of parenthood.
“As a mom, eventually, as they grow up, you have to let them spread their own wings and fly,” she shared through tears, before trying to lighten the mood by joking that she still has a long way to go before facing that reality herself (Dahlia was only two years old at the time). So instead of worrying too much, she said she simply wants to cherish every stage of motherhood while she can.
Perhaps because they understand the weight of it firsthand, mothers tend to become especially emotional whenever they hear another mom’s story. Anne became fragile as Solid Showtimer and 'Laro Laro Pick' player Shine shared the devastating experience of losing her young child, and how some people tried to comfort her with comments saying it was somehow “okay” because her child was still young, implying that the attachment was not as strong yet.
Tearfully, Anne validated Shine's grief and reminded her that no one has the right to dictate a mother’s healing process. She emphasized that whether a mom spent only a brief period or many years with her child, a mother’s love remains the same, making the pain impossible to measure.
Only a mother knows how deeply she thinks about the kind of world her child will grow up in, which is why conversations about the future of the younger generation never fail to tap into Anne’s “mom mode.” There was an episode of 'Laro Laro Pick' where calamity survivor Fatima admitted that life’s hardships had made it difficult for her to dream big anymore, aside from wanting her children to finish school.
As a mother who dreams deeply for her Dahlia's future, Anne (alongside Vice) encouraged Fatima to continue aiming higher and believing in bigger possibilities. Speaking as a mother herself, Anne expressed optimism that despite the country’s present struggles, the younger generation still has the power to create change. “One day, maybe not in our lifetime, but I will continue and pray and hope,” she said, reflecting how mothers will always do everything they can to help create a better world for their children.
Like many moms, Anne also knows the importance of having a dependable partner through the highs and lows of parenthood. Her emotions were deeply felt during an episode where the hosts talked about their everyday heroes in life. Upon mentioning her husband, Erwan, Anne got tearful, barely needing words to express her gratitude for him.
Because Anne struggled to explain further due to her emotions, Vice Ganda took over, saying that she understood what Anne was feeling. "Minsan ang hirap talaga bitbitin ng lahat... pero kapag alam mong mayroon kang katuwang sa bigat, parang may time huminga." She told Anne, "It's very hard for you to juggle work and being a mom sa isang araw nang sabay. Niloloko-loko ko lang 'to pero ang hirap ng ginagawa niya – nanay, asawa, tapos kailangan niya maging entertainer [ng Madlang People]."
Anne’s evolution through the years has been so beautiful to witness, but even more meaningful now as we see her in her most authentic self through motherhood. Happy Mother's Day, Anne!
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