MANILA, Philippines– Singer and actress KZ Tandingan opened up about the pressures of parenthood, saying that the weight of being a mother is often heavier than people realize.
Expounding on her earlier remarks, Tandingan explained that the journey of motherhood transforms women not only physically but also mentally and spiritually. “‘Yung pressure ng pagiging parent, ang bigat-bigat sa nanay. You’re not just carrying the child, you’re changing yourself,” she said.
She continued, “Kahit napanganak mo na ‘yung bata, you are completely changed as a person: physically, spiritually, and mentally. Sabi ko kanina, ayokong maging nanay kasi nape-pressure na ako.”
(The pressure of being a parent is heavy for a mom. You’re not just carrying the child—you’re changing yourself. Even after giving birth, you are completely changed physically, spiritually, and mentally. I said earlier that I don’t want to be a mom because of all the pressure.)
Tandingan also touched on societal expectations, noting that many people pressure women into having children even if they aren’t ready. “Sinasabi kasi ng mga tao, ‘Kailangan mong magkaroon ng mag-alaga sa iyo pagtanda.’ Gusto kong maging nanay dahil alam kong kaya kong alagaan ang anak ko. Ayokong iluwal ‘yung batang ito para lang pahirapan siya sa mundo dahil hindi ako prepared. You will never be fully prepared as a parent, but [you can’t] just go and be a parent blindly,” she said.
(People say that you need to have someone who’ll take care of you when you’re older. I want to be a mother because I know I can care for my child. I don’t want to bring a child into this world to make them suffer just because I’m not ready. You will never be fully prepared as a parent, but you can’t just go into it blindly.)
For now, Tandingan and her husband, Christian Monterde, are focused on “working hard to build a future” together. They expressed gratitude for the public’s excitement about the possibility of them becoming parents.
The couple recently concluded their four-day “In Between” concert at the Araneta Coliseum, which featured both Tandingan and Monterde performing their hit songs in a romantic setting, alongside solo performances.
Tandingan and Monterde have married twice—first in 2020, and again in 2023 in a ceremony that included family and close friends. The 2023 wedding was possible after COVID-19 restrictions had eased, allowing for a larger celebration.