Another heart-to-heart chat graces the lively set of Melai Cantiveros’ “Kuan On One,” this time with Filipina model, actress, and proud Visayan mom Isabel Oli. “Kuanizens” are treated to a genuine conversation between the two Bisdak mothers, filled with meaningful life lessons about career, marriage, and parenthood.
In the January 20 episode, during the digital talk show’s “Dakong Problema” segment, Isabel and Melai responded to situational questions about their parenting styles as Bisdak wives and mothers with either “Ah Uy!” (easily resolved) or “Aguy!” (difficult to handle).
The first question was adorably simple, asking the two about their kids’ bedtime routines. For Isabel, it was an “Ah Uy!” situation, as her children, taking after their dad, actor-director John Prats, are fond of sleeping. “Masandal tulog!” she quips.
On the other hand, Melai, who answered “Aguy!” has very energetic daughters who often skip afternoon naps, preferring to seize the day.
Moving on to a more career-related topic, when questioned about letting their children enter showbiz, both responded with an “Aguy!”
Melai explains that while the entertainment industry offers big opportunities her little ones could rely on for their future, it also comes with unpredictable challenges, including exposure to various social influences and potential mental health struggles.
Isabel adds that it’s tricky to explain the pros and cons of being a celebrity to their kids at such a young age. She also mentions how amazed she is that her husband, John, started his acting career at age 8 alongside her sister-in-law Camille Prats, praising their hands-on parents for guiding them.
Next up is a generational concern—whether to let their children attend sleepovers with friends. Both gave the same reaction, declining the idea.
Isabel breathed a sigh of relief when she realized Melai related to her perspective, having initially worried that she might be too strict.
Melai jokes that she would probably win a “strict-mom” competition before elaborating on Isabel’s concerns about the horror stories she’d read about real-life sleepovers—also noting that she never got to attend one herself growing up.
In contrast, Melai jests that her younger self would have haunted her by now, since she used to go to sleepovers often—but she expounds that it was a different time back then, mostly filled with harmless chitchats with friends and school projects. Nowadays, things feel oddly different with the impact of unsettling online content.
The mood lightens when the topic shifts to kids having crushes. With this, the Bisdak moms are on the same page, both answering “It depends.” Isabel cheerily discloses that one of her children already has a crush, but she and John are taking a cautious approach.
She further points out that it’s perfectly fine, since she also had harmless crushes in her youthful days—as long as it’s all about appreciation.
For Melai, she notes that her husband, Jason, shares similar views with John. As a mother, though, she says it depends—what matters most is explaining to her two daughters that having crushes is completely normal. She doesn’t want to forbid them from having one, since that’s how she felt growing up except that when she first had a crush, she thought she was already in love.
Isabel contributes to Melai’s point, emphasizing how important it is for parents to talk to their children about the difference between love and crushes.
In another playful turn, the fifth question tackles whether their children should be allowed to get tattoos at 18. Isabel and Melai are on the same wavelength again, exclaiming “Aguy!”
While Melai has a tattoo herself, like John, she wouldn’t recommend it for their kids.
Isabel also states that she’s open to the idea once the children are old enough to know what they really want, especially since tattoos are permanent and even laser removal can leave traces, just like what John is considering at the moment.
Look forward to more cozy conversations with Kuantie Melai on “Kuan on One,” streaming every Tuesday on ABS-CBN Entertainment’s YouTube channel and on iWant.