It is a riot when three beautiful children are running around in circles, interrupting their parents who are being interviewed, shouting ‘hi’ to the voice recorder and counting themselves in on the photo shoots of their parents Gladys and Christopher, but, it is a portrait of a happy and closely-knit family for the couple and their children Gian Christopher, Aquisha, and Grant Carlin.
Nobody thought that the romance of actors Gladys Reyes and Christopher Roxas, which bloomed on the set of their hit TV series “Mara Clara” in 1992, would defy the odds that surrounded their young love. Gladys was only 14, while Christopher was barely in his teenage years when they entered into a relationship, but eight years after they vowed eternal love, the couple is still making sweet music together.
The half-French Christopher, or Jean Christophe Sommereux in real-life, was 12 years old when he first laid eyes on Gladys and her “big bum,” and fell in love with the rising TV contravida.
“I got attracted to her behind, no kidding” the mestizo actor said in Filipino, “I told my mom, ‘Ma, look at Clara, ang laki ng puwet. My mom said that was sexy. So there.”
However, Gladys initially saw Christopher or Tupe, as a friend. “Of course there was physical attraction but the feelings just developed. People would always tease us on the set. I used to call him “Goldilocks” kasi palagi siyang may bitbit,” said Gladys. Bitbit, as in, Tupe would always have boy and girl friends around.
And this one thing Gladys finds hard to understand, (and continually tries to comprehend until now). For a lady raised by conservative parents, Gladys would rather be with a small company and considers herself as a homebody. She nonetheless gave her sweet signal and they became an official couple in 1993.
This polarity however often led to misunderstandings but they always patched things up until their seemingly happy young romance was tested when Gladys decided to break up with Tupe on their seventh year. “It was like over familiarity,” Gladys explained. They broke up for one and a half months.
“I thought that I could do it without her, I thought I could always have the time of my life, bonding with friends and all, but I realized that it’s her and will always be her,” Christopher said. He then decided to work abroad in order to save money for the future and prove himself worthy of winning her back.
And love found its way back home.
Christopher returned to the country on their 11th year as a couple but on an earlier date than Gladys anticipated. She said: “I didn’t expect that he would come earlier. I remember I was still in my pajamas when he asked me to marry him.”
They have talked about getting married, hence, it seemed not so surprising when they did tie the knot. Gladys was 26 while Tupe, 24. “My mom said that I should have waited until I was 30 but why would I do that when I know that it will always be her,” Christopher said. “My proposal was actually very casual. I just gave her the ring, that’s it. No more ‘will you marry me’ stunt. At least, alam kong pinaghirapan ko yung singsing.”
Saying yes was a no-brainer for Gladys who confessed that her relationship with Christopher was an answered prayer. “He was my first boyfriend and I prayed that he would be my last.” Her prayers were answered; they got married in 2004 at the Iglesia ni Cristo Central Temple.
Christopher admitted that he found it hard to come to terms with being a husband on the first few years of their marriage especially when their first child, Gian Christopher, was born. “Alam kong tatay na ako pero hindi ko alam kung paano magpaka-tatay.” Not until their second baby, Aquisha, came when he knew that he was not getting any younger and thus needed to come full circle.
“I’ve seen how he has leveled up since our kids were born. If he was on level two on Aquisha, he has upgraded when our youngest, Grant, was born,” Gladys said.
Although from time to time, they would have petty quarrels, the couple has always ironed things straight out before going to bed. “Of course, we also have hardships like any other normal married couple. There were times when he went home late when he said he should be home by this hour; of course I expected him to be around. I am very strict on time, but I do try to understand him,” Gladys explained. “There’s really no shortcut in marriage; you have to undergo different situations and problems for you to be a better couple.”
Christopher chipped in and said: “I really believe that the strength and success of a relationship depend on the women because they handle the relationships. If my wife didn’t have patience and understanding with me, we would not have gotten to where we are now.”
“Kinikilig pa rin ako every time he says that, but it takes two to tango, if the guy didn’t want to change and cooperate, wala rin,” Gladys said.
“And always put God in the center of the relationship. If your faith is one, your foundation will be strong.” Christopher decided to convert to Glady’s religion, Iglesia ni Cristo, before they got married, “but not because of her ha, but because I really want to hear the doctrines of God.”
With the Almighty at the core of their relationship, mixed with “bottomless patience” (as Gladys puts it) and love, the blind items, negative write-ups or any imminent challenge will all seem surmountable for the couple.
They admitted to three P’s as the secret to their strong and happy relationship - prayers, patience, and partnership.
On raising their children
She said: Try to be both a disciplinarian and a spoiler but with limits. Of course, we do not want our children to grow up and become materialistic. They should know how to appreciate and value the things they have. As much as possible, we have a reward system. If they get good grades in school, they can have Timezone or we go out, simple things like that.
He said: But that is the problem; sometimes you do not know that you are spoiling them already. I do not think twice in punishing them if they do something wrong, para may katakutan. Of course, it is disheartening for the parents but it helps them to know what is right from wrong.
On keeping the romance alive
He said: I appreciate things easily, whenever I find her beautiful in the morning, I tell her. I have always been very vocal about my feelings and we always say ‘I love you’ to each other. Just always make it a point to remind your partner how much you love him or her.
She said: You should not do things as a routine; instead do them out of whim, out of the blue. Sometimes we go out to places with different environments. And always make an effort to dress up. It’s also good that you’re not always together so that you have something to talk about, like finding out how our respective days went, etc.
On young love
She said: Always pray together and make God the center of your relationship; bear and build your partnership. Hardships are okay and normal but at the end of the day, you must talk about and solve your problems.
He said: Problems will always come but always bear in mind that you married each other because you love each other; you must endure the adversities.
