Kylie sings Disney songs to her & Aljur’s son due in July

Until last Thursday night when her stepmom-in-law Mariel Rodriguez-Padilla organized a baby shower for her, Kylie Padilla was mum on the gender of her and partner Aljur Abrenica’s baby which is due in July. The color (yes, blue!) of the little gifts and the souvenirs (courtesy of Aprica) gave it all away. The Abrenica firstborn is a boy, and the baby shower was aptly themed Little Prince.

Quoted on a pillow was a line from Antoine de Saint-Exupery’s The Little Prince: It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.

Although neither Kylie nor Aljur would reveal the name of their son, there are reports (one in a scoop in The STAR last February) that the couple’s “Little Prince” would have two first names, one of them Joaquin (significance not explained). In Funfare’s exclusive interview with Kylie, the very first ever since her pregnancy was revealed early this year, Kylie mentioned the name Alas but it’s not sure if Alas would be matched with Joaquin.

Kylie initially wanted to host an intimate party at home but would-be Lolo Robin, Kylie’s father, insisted that a bigger party it should be. Sayang. Had it been held at home, Aljur would have had a chance to make peace with his would-be dad-in-law.

At the venue, Aruga by Rockwell Hotel, Mariel supervised everything — the food, the event styling (by her sister Kaye Garcia), the program, etc. Although Aprica (famous host of starry baby showers) didn’t organize the affair, it set up a juice bar and took care of the giveaways.

Robin’s other daughter, Queenie, is also giving birth to her and her Pakistani husband’s first child anytime soon. Between Kylie and Queenie, who will beat who to the delivery room? With the two babies, the Padilla homes will merrily ring with cute beautiful voices including Robin and Mariel’s daughter Maria Isabella who was born in the US late last year.

Incidentally, Lolo Robin was missing at the baby shower. Guests included Mariel’s grandparents, Aljur’s family and some of Kylie’s Encantadia co-stars.  

Excerpts from Funfare’s interview with Mommy Kylie:

Do you sing or talk to your baby inside your tummy?

“Yes. In the beginning of my pregnancy, I sang to him so many Disney songs. They are the most memorable. Since I love Disney so much, I wanted to share that with him. Now that I’m almost done with my pregnancy I try to do my best to let him listen to all my favorite songs. I hope that he remembers or has a feeling of familiarity when he hears them again.

“I have that feeling when I hear all my mom and dad’s favorite songs. Whenever I hear them my heart gets all fuzzy. I want him to feel that. I talk to him a lot, especially now that I am two months away from giving birth to him. I tell him we are a team and that it’s our job to work together on his birthday. I am planning a natural birth and to achieve that he and I have to be in sync. It’s really touching, ngayon pa lang I want us to have teamwork. We also pray together.” 

Why not by Caesarian?

“I actually plan to have a natural birth, no matter how scary it is! I just did a lot of research. The main thing that helped me decide on going natural is the ‘high’ you feel. Apparently, there is a high from seeing and holding your baby for the first time after going through so much of the pain in labor. I don’t want to see it as a horrific experience, I want it to be a transforming one. With him and I being totally us, no epidural, no drugs. That’s how I would like it. I even plan to have a tub. That is called water birth. But you can’t actually plan your birth. There are many things to consider. That is why I talk to him, try to prepare him as well as mentally prepare myself.” 

Alas sounds good as a baby’s name. Any significance to it?

“It’s special because Aljur thought of the name and it’s a name that is important to him. He has always wanted to name his future son this name. Honestly, I was unsure with the name at first but now I’m getting used to it. I like that it means so much to Aljur. I want the second name to be my choice though. We are still finalizing names, we even went so far as to wait until our baby is mature enough to choose his own name! Hahahaha!!! But it feels like we will call him the names Aljur chose and that’s Alas.” 

Ano kaya ang magiging reaction n’yo ni Aljur the first time you will see your baby?

“I don’t know. I think my heart will not know how to react. Ngayon pa lang pag iniisip ko my heart melts. It feels like being born again. Kakaibang happiness; it’s a new kind of frequency of how I feel love and that’s only from imagining meeting my baby for the first time. What I can’t wait to see is AJ’s face when he holds our baby in his arms. I love watching his facial reactions. Paano na pag anak namin ang nakita nya? I’m excited.”

Will you breastfeed?

“Yes. I believe in the power of breastfeeding. It builds the bond between mother and child and it also protects your baby from getting sick and infection. Also, it’s organic and less gastos! So in some ways I am being eco-friendly by breastfeeding which is a beautiful thing.”

What kind of mom do you think you will be?

“I’m not sure. I don’t like planning but what I keep telling myself is that I hope to be as open minded as possible with my son. I don’t want to force anything onto him. Hopefully, I teach him things not by telling him but by showing him. I want to lead by example which is a very difficult thing. AJ and I don’t want to spoil him and we don’t want him to grow up under the limelight either. We would rather he have a choice whether he wants to be famous or not.” – Photos by NICE PRINT PHOTOGRAPHY