Judy Ann Santos thinks having a child shouldn't force couples into marriage

Five years of marriage to host Ryan Agoncillo has not dimmed actress-host Judy Ann Santos’s fascination with her husband.

“Parang girlfriend –boyfriend pa rin kami,” she told media at the presscon of ABS-CBN’s reality show “I Do,” which she hosts.

Her secret?

Monthly sum

Freedom from money woes is one. Judy Ann says Ryan gives her a monthly sum for the tuition of their children, Yohan and Lucho.

“We respect each other’s each other’s personal expenses. Meron siyang (Ryan) intrega sa’ kin. Ako naman may sarili akong account. Hindi kami nagkukulang sa tuition fee.”

The celebrity couple even has extra money for travel and each other’s hobbies – cars and motorcycles for Ryan; food, groceries and pairs of shoes for Judy Ann.

They don’t argue over who gives more to the household kitty. They know it will just shake their peaceful marriage.

Extra income

“Papangit ang relationship. Magkakasakitan kayo. We value our profession. Hindi namin pinag-uusapan ang sweldo ng isa’t isa.”

Judy Ann has her own extra sources of income (e.g. corporate shows) the way Ryan does. Each has a hands-off policy about where their respective money goes.

But expenses for the children – tuition, books, etc. – are another thing. So, too is where to put Yohan and Lucho’s earnings from endorsements. Judy Ann and Ryan discuss this issue between themselves.

The actress-host explains why couples – married or not – must give money special attention.

Save a lot

“Kahit wala kang partner ang unang problema natin ay pera. It’s a necessity. We have to do something about it. Nabububuhay tayo para magtrabaho at nagtatrabaho tayo para magkapera.”

She advises couples to save a lot before taking the plunge.

“Magsisimula pa lang ang buhay nyo after the wedding. You’ll be spending a lot. Kung wala kang pera, malaking issue yon. Before okay lang kasi hindi pa ganito ka heavy ang situation. Hindi pa magastos ang ekonimiya. Pero ngayon, dapat i-take into consideration ang economic crisis. Kung wala kang pera, mahirap bumuo ng pamilya .”

Time for each other is just as crucial.

Emotions and children

”I advise couples to spend time with each other and time alone (as individuals). May sawa factor kasi yan (time together). When you spend time with your partner, you don’t talk about responsibilities. Just enjoy your date and talk about emotions para hindi mag-surface and problema.”

She also warns couples who want to tie the knot just because they’re drowning in emotions or because they have a child.

“Marrying is not jumping into a pool of emotions. At hindi dahilan ang isang anak para magpakasal.”

Judy Ann knows others will question her. But she insists couples should first be sure about their feelings for each other. If not, the child might even ask, ‘Bakit kayo nagpakasal?’ when he grows up. A mistake, she explains, cannot be corrected by another mistake.

‘I Do’ power couples

The remaining power couples of “I Do”, Chad and Sheela and Jimmy and Kring are learning a lot, not only from Judy Ann, but from the show itself.

“Nagbago ang buhay namin, spiritually, emotionally, mentally – lahat. Tinulungan kami to become what we are now. ‘I Do’ is not just a reality show. It changes lives.”

Chad adds that every challenge he and Sheela hurdle shows them that they can dream and give their best. Most of all, they succeed because “nandito ang Panginoon sa sentro ng relationship namin.”

Sheela recalls how she helped finance Chad’s studies while he was still a working student since she finished college ahead of him.

Win or lose

She’s convinced “I Do” is for her and Chad because of a recent incident.

“Habang inaayos ko ang wedding ng sister nya (Chad), I prayed hard at umiyak ako. Sabi ko, ‘Lord, gusto ko ng magpakasal.”

Lo and behold! A commercial calling for couples to audition in ‘I Do’ suddenly appeared before her.

The couples vow to walk down the aisle whether they win or lose in the grand finals. In fact, the Chad and Jimmy already talked to their respective girfriend’s parents about it.

Sharing their journey

Still, it would be nice to share their wedding to the public who have witnessed their journey.

Jimmy and Kring and Chad and Sheela hope text votes will swing in their favor on Saturday, November 8, when the online poll ends (it started Monday, November 3).

Viewers may vote for their favorite couple by texting IDO A for Chad and Sheela or IDO B for Jimmy and Kring, and sending it to 2331 for Globe, TM, Sun Cellular and ABS-CBNmobile subscribers, and to 231 for Smart and Talk ‘N Text subscribers. A SIM card can only send  30 votes for a couple per day. at most.

Will Kring or Sheela wear the Paul Cabral and Pepsi Herrera bridal gowns? Who between Jimmy or Chad will wear Randy Ortiz in his grand wedding?

Who will the Grand Couple, with the free honeymoon and negosyo package , home appliances, P1-million and house and lot be?

The answer is in the viewers’ hands.