Much has been said about marriage.
But for this celebrity couple who have marked 30 years of being married this year say marriage is a marathon.
To talk about that and more are Anthony Pangilinan and Maricel Laxa-Pangilinan.
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But for this celebrity couple who have marked 30 years of being married this year say marriage is a marathon.
To talk about that and more are Anthony Pangilinan and Maricel Laxa-Pangilinan.
Visit our website for more #NewsYouCanTrust: https://www.cnnphilippines.com/
Follow our social media pages:
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CNNPhilippines
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cnnphilippines/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/cnnphilippines
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NewsTranscript
00:00 Much has been said about marriage, but for this celebrity couple who have marked 30 years
00:05 of being married this year, say marriage is a marathon.
00:09 To talk about that and more are Anthony Pangilinan and Maricel Laksa Pangilinan.
00:14 Hi!
00:15 Thank you so much for joining us.
00:17 Thank you Rico.
00:18 Thank you very much.
00:19 Really, right?
00:20 30 years.
00:21 Me, 25 years.
00:22 We just celebrated our renewal of vows a couple of weeks ago.
00:27 But you guys, stand.
00:30 Stand.
00:31 Applause.
00:32 By God's grace.
00:33 By God's grace.
00:34 That's chapter 8, divine power.
00:38 So when did this idea of writing this book come together, Maricel?
00:42 We wanted to celebrate 25 years.
00:44 When we were 25 like you.
00:47 And then we couldn't even start it or get to the half of it.
00:53 It was like a marathon.
00:54 It took us 5 years.
00:55 5 year marathon.
00:56 It took us 5 years and we were forced to hurry up because our daughter's getting married
01:01 this year and we didn't want to be sabay with all the preparation.
01:04 So we rushed everything and we finally finished it.
01:08 Wow.
01:09 So 5 years in the making.
01:12 And of course, marriage is a marathon because both of you also love to run marathons.
01:18 The word's love.
01:19 So why do you run marathons?
01:22 Because it's like a marriage.
01:23 You gotta endure it.
01:24 But there are also joys and highs and lows.
01:29 So both ways.
01:30 Marriage is like a marathon.
01:31 Marathon is like a marriage.
01:32 Yeah.
01:33 That's how it is.
01:34 Yeah.
01:35 It goes hand in hand.
01:37 And there are 8 chapters in this book, Maricel and Anthony.
01:42 Which one is your favorite chapter?
01:45 Maricel?
01:46 It's taking your loved ones with you.
01:48 For me, the reason why I really enjoyed running our marathon.
01:54 It was because all our children were involved with us.
01:58 They were part of our preparation, our training.
02:01 They were also racing their own races.
02:04 And they would travel with us around the world.
02:06 So it was a great experience.
02:09 Finishing also, seeing them in the finish line and then talking about how we could improve
02:15 or how we did well.
02:16 It was just...
02:17 Oh, you know, Anthony, communication in the family is so important.
02:22 Oh my gosh.
02:23 Oh my gosh.
02:24 It's not just husband and wife.
02:25 Yeah.
02:26 But it's also communication with the children, knowing what their issues are.
02:31 And you really have to start when they're born.
02:34 That's why when you said favorite chapter, I'm not a chapter.
02:37 My favorite is the forward of the kids.
02:39 Forward of the kids.
02:40 So they were involved.
02:41 Yeah, look at that.
02:42 All the signatures here for me is wow.
02:45 The better versions of us saying something good about us is wow.
02:50 Hats off.
02:51 For me, that's wow.
02:52 My kids have signed their names.
02:53 That's so encouraging.
02:56 But what kind of challenges did you face?
02:59 I'll start off with you, Maricel, in your first 10 years of marriage.
03:05 What were the highs and lows?
03:07 Well, when we got married, after six months, we wanted to separate.
03:11 Oh my goodness.
03:12 Oh, what, it was only six days?
03:13 Only six days.
03:14 It was only honeymoon.
03:15 Come on, hon.
03:16 Honeymoon.
03:17 We were in Hong Kong.
03:18 Yeah.
03:19 She took the train to the north.
03:20 I said, "I'm going to the south."
03:21 That's how it was, honeymoon.
03:23 Yeah, but you know, also, in the first 10 years, we had four kids in five years.
03:30 So that was really very hectic.
03:32 And Anthony was traveling to so many places, bringing all of us.
03:38 And wow, it was a stretch.
03:39 But it was really wonderful because we just did everything together.
03:44 What about you, Anthony?
03:45 What were the highs and lows of the first 10 years, apart from wanting to separate within
03:51 the first six days of marriage?
03:52 I was a trainer consultant, right?
03:54 Yes.
03:55 I was a management consultant.
03:56 Forming and then storming, that was around 20 years ago, 25.
04:01 Then maybe norming, and hopefully we're now in the performing.
04:06 It's like building a team.
04:10 And so it's highs and lows, but I think we fight less or we fight better now.
04:15 Fight better.
04:16 We enjoy it.
04:17 I think you really have to understand each other.
04:22 And either the husband or the wife, when one person is not in the best of moods, has to
04:27 step back.
04:28 Yes.
04:29 You have to.
04:30 Because if you always win a fight—
04:31 If your egos always clash.
04:33 May I advise that?
04:35 If you fight, don't always win because if you always win, your wife is a loser.
04:40 Nobody wants to live with a loser.
04:41 Let the other person win, my love.
04:44 But what do you think of this saying, Anthony?
04:49 Happy wife, happy life.
04:51 Amen.
04:52 Amen.
04:53 Definitely.
04:54 Definitely.
04:55 So see how happy I am.
04:56 Look at me, smiling from ear to ear.
04:59 But to be a happy wife, you shouldn't be down.
05:02 There has to be a foundation.
05:04 Because there are many happy things.
05:07 Very superficial.
05:08 Happiness and joy come from even suffering, of having gone through trouble together.
05:15 It should be deep.
05:17 Of course, you are very close as a family, you and your five kids.
05:21 But what about some interference from the in-laws?
05:28 Has that also been a problem in your marriage?
05:32 And could that be a problem for even couples who are watching us right now?
05:35 I don't know because I'm already her mother even before.
05:38 You were sweethearts.
05:39 Even before I got her yes, I got her mother's yes.
05:43 And you know my mom.
05:45 I know your mom.
05:46 I mean, we lived in Singapore and I used to always interact with your mom.
05:51 So if my mom likes someone, she really likes someone.
05:54 I think we're thankful.
05:55 We're so thankful when it comes to in-laws.
05:57 But I know it's a problem for other people.
05:59 They say in-laws or sometimes outlaws.
06:02 Yes, but in our case, that's not the situation.
06:06 And I love my in-laws.
06:08 He loves my parents.
06:10 Perfect harmony.
06:11 Actually, my mother-in-law calls us not in-laws.
06:18 Her daughters or her sons.
06:20 I just thought about it right now.
06:22 Because we were struggling with our own fights.
06:26 We can't afford any other fights.
06:29 But when you fight, do your kids come into the picture and say, "Mom, Dad, let's resolve
06:36 this."
06:37 Daddy, say sorry to mommy.
06:38 You raised your voice up to this day.
06:41 But also we try to protect each other by just keeping the issues between us and a few close
06:48 friends that we can run to.
06:51 We don't run to my mom or he runs to his parents.
06:55 Or to your brother or sister.
06:56 It's hard to have a bond, to have a bias.
07:00 Just keep it within both of you.
07:02 Also, do not express it publicly also.
07:05 Or on social media.
07:06 Everybody will want to have a place in it.
07:08 We talk about our struggles with people close to us when we've already addressed it.
07:13 After that, we have a consensus.
07:16 Okay, can we talk about it openly so we can get advice?
07:19 But I will never share anything without her permission.
07:23 That's a healthy marriage.
07:24 What about chapter 8?
07:26 Never forget to rely on divine power to help you finish strong.
07:30 God being the center of everyone's marriage.
07:34 You know, in the marathon, in the first 5 kilometers, you're excited.
07:39 You know, you're like a kid.
07:41 The last 5 kilometers, you're always calling to God.
07:45 "Father in heaven, I can't do it anymore."
07:49 Same with a marriage.
07:50 Same with a marathon.
07:51 You know, when you're at your wits' end, you really have to call on the divine.
07:55 I can't do it on my own.
07:56 We have to draw from above.
07:58 I think that's one of the reasons why we're still together.
08:00 And strong.
08:01 And strong.
08:02 But you know, you're a power couple.
08:06 You're always very busy.
08:07 You are a life coach.
08:09 You are a management consultant.
08:11 You are a counselor.
08:13 And of course, a mother, housewife.
08:15 You know, that's a big responsibility.
08:18 Huge responsibility.
08:20 More than, like, Anthony and I going to work.
08:24 How do you meet up?
08:25 I mean, how do you merge your schedules?
08:29 We talk.
08:30 We have alignment sessions in the beginning of the week.
08:33 We run together.
08:34 We have planning sessions.
08:35 We work out together.
08:36 We spend a lot of time together.
08:38 And one of the things, actually, that our children insist on us having is our weekly
08:44 dates.
08:45 We go out Friday night, whether we like each other or not.
08:49 But we also give each other space.
08:52 She goes out on vacations with her own family, her parents.
08:55 With friends.
08:56 Or alone.
08:57 Me.
08:58 There has to also be me time.
08:59 Oh yeah, definitely.
09:00 We also have vacation leave for each other.
09:01 We also have vacation leave for my wife.
09:06 Right now, she's in Singapore with our son.
09:08 I'm sure she's so happy without you.
09:10 At least for a few days.
09:15 So let's start off with you, Maricel.
09:17 For all married viewers who are watching us right now, whether a year into their marriage,
09:22 five years, ten years, fifteen years, or even twenty-five years, or maybe even soon-to-be
09:26 married couples, what would be your advice to them?
09:30 Well, just keep on running, but don't run alone.
09:33 Don't be lonely.
09:35 Because there are just too many available sources of help right now that if we just
09:43 humble ourselves, we will get the help that we need.
09:47 And the sooner we get the help, the less problems we will have in our marriage.
09:52 And don't quit on marriage.
09:54 But there are some who just will quit because they keep on fighting every day.
10:00 They quarrel.
10:01 And they say, "Oh, I give up."
10:03 Irreconcilable differences.
10:04 Well, you know, we know of a couple that they've been separated for ten years, but they still
10:09 get back together.
10:10 So if you happen to quit, keep your mind open.
10:12 Who knows?
10:13 There might be another time for you.
10:15 What do you always say?
10:17 In a wedding?
10:18 In a wedding.
10:19 Okay, always.
10:20 Yes.
10:21 Husbands love your wife in such a way that she'll hate to see you leave the house in
10:25 the morning.
10:27 But wives love your husbands in such a way that they will not want to go anywhere else
10:32 in the evening, which requires God's grace.
10:36 Yes.
10:37 That's how it is.
10:38 Unconditional love.
10:39 You really don't have a partner.
10:40 Your partner is your wife and your family.
10:42 Yes, I do.
10:43 We do.
10:44 You're so lucky.
10:45 Animo.
10:46 There you go.
10:47 Maricel Varcada.
10:48 RJ, right?
10:49 Animo.
10:50 So tell us, where can we buy this book, Marriage is a Marathon?
10:56 Maricel.
10:57 Online.
10:58 AnthonyandMaricel.com and Shopee Lazada.
11:00 That's it.
11:01 That's all.
11:02 It's simple.
11:03 Invite our viewers who, thousands, millions of married couples.
11:09 Join us in the journey.
11:11 Journey.
11:12 It's a journey.
11:13 It's a journey.
11:14 It's a journey.
11:15 It's a journey.
11:16 It's a journey.
11:17 It's a journey.
11:18 It's a journey.
11:19 It's a journey.
11:20 It's a journey.
11:21 It's a journey.
11:22 It's a journey.
11:23 It's a journey.
11:24 It's a journey.
11:25 It's a journey.
11:26 It's a journey.
11:27 It's a journey.
11:28 And you know what?
11:29 Till death do us part.
11:30 Yes.
11:31 By God's grace, it gets better over time.
11:32 It gets better over time.
11:33 It's not like I'll just put up with this forever.
11:34 Let's not, you know, don't settle.
11:35 Go for a strong finish together.
11:36 Enjoy the process.
11:37 Congratulations on your book.
11:39 The authors of Marriage is a Marathon.
11:43 Salamat.
11:44 Thank you.
11:45 Salamat.