EXCLUSIVE Mikee Cojuangco talks about being a mom: ‘I think na may pagka-strict din ako’

As one of the national ambassadors for World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Philippines, MIkee Cojuangco-Jaworski is helping spread WWF’s solutions on climate change, conservation, and environmental education. As a mom to three growing boys Robb, Raphael, and Renzo, she said she tries to include them in her advocacies as much as she can. "They try to participate. Of course they have school so I can’t bring them everywhere with me. But they were with me when we did the Kung Fu Panda special screening and of course that was also with WWF so for them mostly they see the fun parts. I don’t think really they have a complete grasp of the things I do. I tell them but it’s different to experience it,” she shared.

At the launch of this year’s Earth Hour Philippines which will happen on March 19, Saturday, Mikee and new national ambassador Iza Calzado encouraged Filipinos to turn off their lights from 8:30 to 9:30 pm. The wife of Pasig City Congressman Robert “Dodot” Jaworski, Jr also shared some tidbits about her life away from the camera. "You know the nice thing about marriage and the nice thing also about having kids is you really grow together. Every stage of life is new and every stage of life is different and God has a way of bringing different things to your life para talagang magkasama kayo through the journey,” she shared.

After almost five years of not being active in showbiz, Mikee said it wasn’t deliberate to keep such a low profile on her personal life. "Not really. I think kasama lang talaga sa personality ko. I think also because I do a lot of things. Pag naisip ko man na kumuha ng litrato hindi ko kagad na-po-post and then I move on to the next thing and then it feels like not new anymore. Ever since I was a kid I wasn’t really the type to take a lot of pictures which I regret. I wish I wasn’t really like that. So now I try but I’m not that good (laughs),” she admitted.

Whenever she attends her sons school activities, Mikee said she is treated just like any other regular parent. "I think it’s more of being a mom. On those occasions the other moms and parents are there also kasi may mission kami dun di ba kaya kami nasa school ng mga anak namin? (laughs) I think everyone is more focused on what they’re doing there and what they need to be doing. When the atmosphere is a little bit more relaxed then there’s a bit more time to get to know each other also,” she said. At home, Mikee said things are peaceful. "I try to be an understanding mom but I think na may pagka-strict din ako,” she added.

Now that she is in her 40s, the former commercial model turned actress shared her secret to looking youthful. She said doing sports with her family is a big factor. "Well it’s not easy I have to say. There’s a little bit of discipline, food choices. It’s all about balance. Horseback riding I don’t do it not as much but I do play basketball with my kids and Dodot so that’s fun. It doesn’t really feel like a chore. Kasi minsan yung sasabihin mo na mag-wo-work out ka ngayon or bukas parang chore siya di ba? Hindi yung masyadong ma-e-enjoy. But when I play sports with them, then that’s fun (laughs),” she said.

When asked how domestic life is for her, Mikee admitted her husband is actually more useful in the kitchen than her. "I don’t really know anything about me that is very surprising or interesting (laughs). Hindi naman kasi tungkol sa akin eh na si Dodot yung nagluluto sa bahay. Siguro mas surprising pa yun,” she said.

Mikee said she also manages to keep the bond strong between her and her sisters Mai Mai and China who are also busy with their own families. "Well we see each other once a week kasi every Sunday nag-di-dinner kaming buong pamilya and on special occasions siyempre magkasama kami and I have to say, malaki yung contribution ng technology to keep us together. So at least kahit malayo si Mai Mai kasama pa rin siya. So that’s very helpful,” she explained.