oyal viewers of GMA-7's morning show Unang Hirit (UH) have been witness to Suzi Entrata's professional and personal growth—first, as one of the program's co-hosts; then, as a wife and mother.

“Obviously, I've changed since the first day of work,” the 30-year-old Suzi admits. “I got married, had out first baby, and then our second baby. Parang nag-evolve na rin ‘yong character ko sa show. Now, I'm thought of as the mom on the show, kasi ako ‘yong unang naging nanay sa kanila.”

After four years of marriage and two adorable daughters—two-year old Leona and nine-month-old Jade—Suzi is still bursting with the boundless energy that brings smiles to UH viewers early in the morning. She recalls the early years of her marriage to TV host and commercial model Paolo Abrera and what it was like to move to their new home in Parañaque.

“When we moved in, wala kaming helper. We really wanted it to be that way. So Paolo and I used to do everything: cook, clean, maintain the house. Kaya lang, after a while, nagkakatamaran na kaming maglinis!”

Fortunately, the couple could always get backup from the folks next door—who happened to be Paolo's parents, advertising-agency veteran Emily Abrera and the late television producer Carlos Abrera. It was only after Suzi gave birth to her first daughter that she and Paolo got househelp.

That was only the beginning of the lifestyle change. The Parañaque house used to be a place where friends could hang out.

Now, everything had to give way to strollers, toys, and other kiddie knickknacks.

“Medyo parami nang parami ‘yong na-accumulate much space as before. Dati, it was so Spartan. Dati, it was just like all wood, all the furniture. Ngayon, ang daming kulay na. Kasi, siyempre, bright colors for kids, dib a?”

Parenthood also altered Suzi and Paolo's daily routine and interests. The adventurous pair had met on the sports magazine show Gameplan and were then very much into athletic activities such as biking and swimming. Now they don't have as much time for sports or even partying and moviegoing.

“We don't get to go out as much anymore. And if we do, there's always careful consideration. There's always that feeling na ‘Okay, I'm gonna stay home today first, hang out with the kids, before we go out at night, para hindi naman buong araw nating silang linayasan.' Of course, it's not easy to travel anymore or just suddenly watch a movie. I guess in the beginning it was almost as if we couldn't really do anything anymore, aside from just staying home with the kids. But eventually, when you kind of relax and loosen up, okay naman pala. You should go out once in a while, definitely. You just have to preplan it.”

And does she and Paolo still plan on having more kids?

“Siguro, if it's going to be a boy next time around—‘yon, medyo rest for sure na.”

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