From all indications, Maritoni Fernandez has totally embraced step-parenting with open heart and mind.
News of the actress' second marriage to non-showbiz partner Mon Dayrit made headlines in July 2020.
Not only did the union bring Maritoni her "forever," but it also gave her two more sons.
Read also: Maritoni Fernandez marries her “forever” at 51
On November 11, 2022, PEP.ph (Philippne Entertainment Portal) got to interview Maritoni about being a hands-on mom.
She shared, "Actually, I have six kids in total, two are my own, two are my husband’s. We’re a blended family, and two belonged to my sister, who passed away."
Maritoni also revealed how her household schedule goes typically.
"From the time I wake up, of course, I do nanay duties like I make sure that the kids have food for the day...
"I make sure that the menu is set, di ba, and then I help my staff at home prepare the food.
"Most of the time, I also cook. My children are very picky because if I don’t cook they don’t wanna eat.
"I have to run a very tight ship. I do the supermarketing myself. I make sure that.
"I actually am very O.C. [obsessive-compulsive]. Once the meat and the fish arrive at home, I actually re-pack everything myself before they go into the freezer.
"I’m really a very hands-on mom."
ON HER KIDS TAKING OVER THE BUSINESS
On top of being a mom, she's also the lady boss of Herb-All Organic Trading Corporation and is part of the board of directors of IAM Worldwide, a multi-level marketing company under the health and wellness industry.
When asked whether she could see her kids taking over the business she built, Maritoni answered, "Hopefully kasi, you know, I’ve put in many years into the industry.
"I really hope that at some point they would be willing to take it over because I worked very hard to build it to what it is now.
"I really hope that at some point I can pass it on and just retire. [But] for now, it’s too early to tell.
"I have a son who lives abroad, and I have a daughter Lexi, you guys know Lexi, she’s on holiday right now. She’s in England.
"But when she’s here, she’s my only girl so she’s like my ka-tandem. She goes with me everywhere,
"We run our errands together, she helps me run our business. She helps with the business from time to time."
The 53-year-old actress then gave updates on her other kids: "And my boys, one is already working with UnionBank.
"The other one is now off to college. He’s in Ateneo. He is currently boarding near Ateneo.
"Then I have my youngest in the house also. Ayun, I have to make sure he gets up in time for school 'di ba and all of that.
"He drives na he’s 17, he’s almost 18. But you know like I said, a mom’s duties are never done."
CHRISTMAS PLANS
For Christmas this year, Maritoni said she had set everything in motion.
She said, "I'm already way ahead. I’m already doing my giveaways slowly, I’m getting ready for all the Christmas gifts.
"Normally, we spend Christmas Eve with the family of my husband and on Christmas day with my family.
"So this year ako yung nakatoka, which means I’m going to do a lot of cooking on Christmas Day.
"And after that normally we just leave, we go to the beach and we spend New Year there para relaxed, and that’s it.
"It’s really simple and a very basic, regular Christmas for us. Nothing out of the ordinary."
She added, "Lexi’s coming home. We try as much as possible for all of us to be together. That’s the most important thing."
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