December 10, 2024 | 12:00am
It will never be a reason for Mariel Rodriguez-Padilla to feel offended when someone labels her as “old-fashioned” for firmly believing that the wife should be submissive to the husband.
The TV host-actress is the better half of actor-turned-senator Robin Padilla. They have two adorable daughters, Gabriela and Isabella.
“It can never really be pantay (equal), Tito Boy,” responded Mariel to my query if she believes that men and women can be equal during our conversation on “The Talk” segment of “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda.”
“The respect for each other can be equal. But the girl should be submissive to her husband. I really believe in that. I also believe that it’s the woman who carries the relationship,” she added.
Mariel wants people to know that women have the right to give the go signals and the power to make things happen. “Tayo ‘yung magsasabi na ito ang magaganap; ganito ‘yan. Why am I saying this? Because there was an issue that came out and then, people were saying, ‘Oh my gosh, kawawa naman si Mariel.’ ‘Oh my gosh, you’re married to that…,’ ganyan. I wanted them to know that women are so empowered. Tayo ang nasusunod. May mga bagay na tayo ang nasusunod.”
The issue Mariel was referring to stemmed from Robin’s “insensitive” remarks relating to spousal rape a couple of months ago.
“That’s why, I cannot say that we’re completely equal because I feel even more, mas nakakaangat ang babae, especially in Robin’s religion, mas binibigyan ng pagpapahalaga ang mga babae.”
I asked Mariel, to correct me if I’m wrong, that men in the Muslim religion are allowed to marry four women to which she replied in the affirmative.
“They are really allowed to marry four but I have only one condition: it can only be me. That’s it. Everything else, I can do it, no problem,” she declared.
From the very beginning of their relationship, Mariel shared that Robin also made clear on matters he considered “untouchable.”
“Robin was very clear, ‘yung untouchable sa kanya is Mindanao and his children (Queenie, Kylie, Zherileen and Ali, with ex-wife Liezl Sicangco). So never ko ‘yun ginagalaw. The time he gives Mindanao or let’s say, even before he became a public servant, ‘yung donations sa Mindanao, the service, whatever. Basta hindi p’wedeng pakialaman ang Mindanao.”
“And then, of course, the children. I only have one condition: it can only be me. And to this day, he’s working very hard to keep that promise,” added she.
A strong marriage does not happen overnight. It’s a result of genuine commitment and hard work. Having been together for 14 years now, Mariel and Robin continue to love and respect each other. Additionally, they know the importance of open and honest communication.
No wonder, Mariel has been living happily. She described her being 40 as one of the best times of her life “because I think when you’re 40 (years old). You already know who you are. Tapos ka na dun sa gusto mong patunayan pa. Now you know who you are and that makes you comfortable.”
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