“Okay na okay na ‘to!”
That’s the resounding affirmation of Grace Tanfelix when asked if she approves of Ysabel Ortega for her son, Miguel Tanfelix.
During a recent interview on Fast Talk with Boy Abunda, the veteran host directly inquired, “Nagustuhan niyo ho si Ysabel [noong] first meeting? (Did you like Ysabel during your first meeting?)”
Without hesitation, Grace responded, “Yes po. Siguro kasi ano eh, genuine. Nafi-feel ko na genuine ‘yung kabaitan nung bata and alam ko na sa galaw pa lang niya, she’s family-oriented (Yes. Maybe because she’s genuine. I feel that the young lady’s kindness is genuine, and I can tell from her actions that she’s family-oriented).”
Grace recounted that Miguel casually introduced Ysabel to her at a restaurant. According to Miguel, he and Ysabel were just friends at the time of the introduction.
“Pinakilala [ni Miguel si Ysabel nang ganito], ‘Mommy, si Ysabel. Ysabel si [mommy].’ Kung naalala ko no’n, sa restaurant. Gano’n lang ka-casual (Miguel introduced Ysabel like this, ‘Mommy, this is Ysabel. Ysabel, this is [mommy].’ If I remember correctly, at the restaurant, it was just that casual),” Grace shared.
Miguel clarified, “Baka wala pa po kami no’n kasi na-meet muna ni mommy si Ysabel nang hindi pa po kami. As friends muna kami (Maybe we weren’t together yet because my mommy met Ysabel before we were. We were just friends then).”
Abunda followed up with, “Pero botong-boto ho kayo? (But you approve?)” to which Grace said, “Of course! Sino ba namang hindi boboto kay Ysabel?” (Of course! Who wouldn’t approve of Ysabel?)”
However, when the topic shifted to marriage, Grace admitted she isn’t quite ready for Miguel and Ysabel to settle down, believing they still have much to achieve in their careers.
“’Pag halimbawa, napapagusapan na ‘yung pagpapakasal, paglagay sa tahimik na buhay, bilang may-asawa, okay na ba? (If, for example, the topic of marriage comes up, settling down as husband and wife, would that be okay?),” the seasoned host asked.
“Parang ayaw ko pa (It’s like I don’t want it yet), Grace honestly confessed.
“Parang ‘wag muna, Tito Boy. Pero kung gusto na niya, why not? Pero kung ako [ang tatanungin], marami pa siyang pwedeng mangyari sa career niya. Parang nagsa-start pa lang siya eh, so gusto ko sana mag-focus muna siya sa career niya (It’s like, not yet, Tito Boy. But if he wants to, why not? But if you ask me, he still has a lot he can do, a lot that can still happen in his career. It’s like he’s just starting, so I hope he focuses on his career first),” she added.
As their interview drew to a close, Grace and Miguel exchanged heartfelt appreciation to on another.
Grace said, “Thank you anak sa, always kang nagsu-support sa family until now. Naa-appreciate ko ‘yun ng sobra. And maraming salamat na very responsible ka talaga na anak, ‘yun talaga ‘yung ipagmamalaki ko. And, hindi dahil sa nanay ako ni Miguel [pero] mabait talaga ito. Sobrang mabait (Thank you, son, for always supporting the family until now. I appreciate that so much. And thank you very much for being so responsible, son, that’s what I’m truly proud of. And you know, it’s not just because I’m Miguel’s mother, but he’s really kind. Very kind).”
Miguel’s message to his mother was equally touching: “Thank you dahil pinaparamdam mo sa’min na mahal mo kami, kaming pamilya. Parang si mommy kasi ‘yung laging nagyayaya na, ‘O ano, labas tayo, kain tayo,’ ganiyan. Siya ‘yung parang, gusto niya laging bonded ang family. Siya nagyayaya lagi ‘pag lunch and dinner. Thank you for keeping the family together. Siya ‘yung parang glue. And sorry dahil madalas akong wala sa bahay dahil busy (Thank you for making us, the family, feel your love. It’s like mommy is always the one suggesting, ‘Hey, let’s go out, let’s eat,’ like that. She’s the one who always wants the family to be bonded. She’s always the one suggesting lunch, dinner. So, thank you for keeping the family together. She’s like the glue. And sorry because I’m often not home because I’m busy).”
“Naiintindihan ko naman ‘yon (I understand that),” Grace lovingly replied, showcasing the strong bond and understanding between mother and son.