Actress, dancer, and businesswoman Regine Tolentino said that she and her family had to overcome a lot of challenges after the birth of her third child Rosie in March.

Regine and partner Dondi Narciso welcomed Rosie on March 17, just as the coronavirus lockdown in Metro Manila began.

In an online press conference Saturday, September 5, where she was introduced as the new endorser of vitamin brand Radiance C, Regine said she went through a lot of stress, and at one point experienced postpartum depression.

Regine said Rosie was born with pneumonia and had to be confined in the hospital for 10 days.

“I went with so much stress parang napaaga ‘yung post-partum depression ko kasi I felt I was crying morning until night everyday – that I was in the hospital kasi na-CS (caesarian section) din ako,” she said.

(I went through so much stress and felt the post part depression come early. because I was crying like morning and night every day because I was in the hospital because I also underwent CS.)

She said she was stressing over so many things – not seeing Rosie right away, worrying over her breast milk, when she’d finally see her daughter, and how they’d eventually bring her home.

“It was a really very traumatic experience for me to be honest, and it was challenging more to take her home because they actually wanted to keep her there for another 2 weeks and I had to talk to a lot of doctors and consult many professionals to make sure na safe siya iuwi,” Regine said.

Regine said she is grateful that Dondi and her two daughters from ex-husband Lander Vera-Perez have been by her side. She also said that Rosie has been the best blessing during these challenging times.

“She’s my wakeup call. She’s my silver lining that makes me realize that this is my purpose here on earth. To take care of these lovely children and to make them good people.” 

During the press event, Regine was asked how she manages to look good while keeping a busy schedule.

“I ask that question many times, what can I do to feel beautiful, to be more radiant every day. Because it truly is a challenge not only for new moms but for everybody – men, women, children, it truly is difficult to look your best,” she said.

“It wasn’t easy and still an ongoing process for me because when the pandemic started I felt my ugliest. I felt so disgusted with myself because I sort of let go and enjoyed my pregnancy and then after giving birth, tapos not moving around and being so lethargic… and just doing nothing and just holding your child.”

“So I really had to pick myself up out of bed and just do anything and everything to inspire myself to move and to dress up and to take care of myself. And it’s an effort and it’s not easy and it’s a slow process.”

PPEs, faces masks, and online dance workshops

Regine, who owns a dance studio and a dress boutique, also shared that she had to pivot her businesses since they were affected by the pandemic.

“Yung business ko for the garments costumes, dance clothes, and all of that we had to change it. We had to stock everything and we’re not doing PPEs, we’re doing face masks, we’re doing protective apparel that is fashionable, that people still feel confident and that they look good and protecting themselves at the same time,” she said.  

“Sa studio naman namin unfortunately, we have to shut down and reformat the whole system. We are doing online classes now and you know it’s hard to adjust because like me, when I have to do Zumba or ballroom dancing or even performances, live shows or whatever, it’s all about that physical touch.”

The dancer and TV host admits she misses the close interaction and connection she has with students.

“It’s really hard to adapt and adjust but slowly na-appreciate ko yung beauty of having online classes because somehow, kahit hindi physical, you still have that connection mentally. It’s a little bit more challenging because you are in a different environment and iba talaga yung energy when you are together with students or when you are also a teacher and I am slowly learning how to embrace it.”

(It’s really hard to adapt and adjust but I’m beginning to appreciate the beauty of having online classes because somehow, even if it’s not physical, you still have that connection mentally.)

“It saddens me cause everything changes from here on now. And I don’t know whether babalik iyon but naappreciate ko lahat ng moments of working out and having those events and dancing and performing because I don’t know what to expect now in the future,” she said.

(It saddens me cause everything changes from here on now. And I don’t know whether it will return but I appreciate all the moments of working out and having events and dancing and performing because I don’t know what to expect now in the future.)

Regine admits having mixed feelings now that she’s had to tweak her businesses in order for them to survive.

“Nakakatuwa na nakakalungkot so like sort of a sweet sorrow (I’m both happy and sad, it’s sweet sorrow) but I always had that little thing in my heart you just have to learn how to adapt and appreciate what you have now.” – Rappler.com