We spend almost every day with Amy Perez, from noon via "It's Showtime" to afternoon via her radio program. But on this particular day, Amy indulged in pampering time with Bernadette Sembrano."

“Paano mo nagagawa? Buti buhay ka pa,” joked Bernadette, asking about how Amy balances her shows and responsibilities as a wife and mother. Amy confessed that when she was younger, she wasn't used to taking breaks or time for herself. She was deeply immersed in work, especially during the peak of her popularity in "Palibhasa Lalaki" at the age of 18. Afterward, she became a regular host on talk shows.

Balancing numerous roles and commitments, she had little time for herself, even more so while taking on double duties after separating from her first husband and becoming a single mom to her eldest child, Adi.

Amy admitted that it was difficult, particularly when she had to attend special occasions or events with Adi at school. Sometimes, she felt guilty for taking rests instead of spending quality time with her son. However, she also felt Adi's love and understanding for their situation. She recalls a time when Adi's playmates visited, and he asked them to keep their voices down because his mom was tired and sleeping.

Being a solo parent was challenging but she eventually got the hang of it. That's why she didn't expect to still find a partner in life. “Parang pagod na ako, parang ang dami ko na masyadong mistakes na nagawa in finding the one,” she said. So, when she met her now-husband Carlo Castillo, she only saw him as a friend. “Pero nu’ng nakita kong seryoso si Carlo, sabi ko, ‘Una sa lahat, may asawa pa ako kasi hindi pa ako annulled. May anak ako.’”

It's also memorable how she introduced Carlo to her son. Young Adi gave Carlo a "grade" of 85 percent, “Sabi niya, ‘I like him as long as he will not hurt you physically, emotionally. It’s okay to fall in love again, Mama.’”

Over time, the guys grew bonded, especially when Adi needed a father figure to accompany him on a school camping trip. Amy couldn't imagine anyone else but Carlo for the role, though they had only been together for less than a month at that point. Following the camping trip, Adi became even more at ease with Carlo, raising his rating to 95 percent.

It’s no surprise that Amy and Carlo's relationship led to marriage. “Finally, nu’ng kinasal na kami, we had to adopt Adi. So, he is now carrying the last name of his Daddy Carlo,” she shared. “At saka para sa safety rin ni Adi. Kunwari may mangyari sa akin, hindi siya maiiwan na walang pamilya.”

“Lagi kong pinasasalamatan si Carlo for loving me kasi hindi biro ‘yung sitwasyon ko nu’ng time na ‘yun.”

In this episode of “Tao Po,” Amy also opened up about her experience with menopause and how she made Carlo understand that women undergoing this phase need understanding and care rather than sugar-coated compliments or denial.

Amy has three sons. From then until now, she makes sure that when she comes home after work, her kids feel that she is a hands-on mom. “Pagdating ko sa bahay, ‘pag hinubad ko yung sapatos ko, iniwan ko na doon ‘yung artistang si Amy. So, pagpasok ko sa bahay, si Amy Perez ako na Nanay.”

No matter what challenges she faces or how times may change, Amy's role as a mother will never end, which is why she created a weekly one-on-one routine with each of her sons.

But as her kids grow older, she also finds a bit of extra time for herself. She no longer reports regularly to “It’s Showtime” every Saturday, which she now reserves for me-time. On Saturdays, she enjoys playing golf and loves driving while listening to worship songs in her car. She feels that she can now take things a bit slower, as she and Carlo have already provided their sons with what they need.

She takes comfort in seeing the results of the sacrifices and teachings she has sown in them over the years. It warms her heart when people compliment her children's attitude, making her feel that while she may not be a millionaire, everything has already paid off in some way.