Ever since Jennica Garcia rose to stardom, it has been a dream for her supporters and plain showbiz onlookers to see her alongside her famous mom, esteemed actress Jean Garcia, in one project. And while we’re still waiting for that much-awaited moment to come, we recently had the chance to see them together for the first time in an exclusive interview with Karen Davila for her YouTube channel.

Yes, this is the first time that the well-loved mother-and-daughter tandem appeared in an interview, so both of them are delighted about it. Jennica told Karen, “anything naman with her, work-related or not, basta I get to spend time with her.” Since both of them are in the industry, there are instances that they get super stressed with the slew of work they have to do, which they ease by doing karaoke. Whenever their day-offs align, they make sure to maximize those days by bonding a lot and having endless chikahan.

With the tremendous breakthroughs that her daughter is attaining, the seasoned actress couldn’t be any prouder of her. She conveyed, “I’m very proud, at saka deserve niya kasi very hardworking ang aking anak. Tapos mahal niya ‘yong trabaho niya, at ang maganda [sa kanya], marunong siyang makisama. Kaya mahal din siya ng mga staff, ng mga crew. Kasi pinalaki ko naman sila na gusto ko very humble, marespeto sa mga tao.”

They then reminisced about the time when they had to be apart as Jean was compelled to leave Jennica here in the Philippines to work in Japan for more than 2 years. Although she never told her mom about it, Jennica confessed that she, of course, felt a strong longing for her to be by her side. Instead of relaying to her how she felt, Jennica just made sure that Jean would feel nothing but loved and appreciated every time she was here in the Philippines for vacation.

Thus, when she was offered the role of Madam Claudia Buenavista in the iconic teleserye Pangako Sa ‘Yo, Jean considered the opinion of Jennica, who told her that it was okay if she did not earn as much as she did in Japan because what was more important to her was that they’re together. Jennica was also happy for her Mama when she found a new partner during her stay in Japan, which brought them her beloved younger brother Kotaro. She actually had rapport with Kotaro’s Japanese daddy, which made her feel blessed to have two fathers, along with her biological dad, Jigo Garcia.

Jennica took her turn of “flexing” her Mama, who she regarded as her father growing up since she’s the provider of their family and the one who works in order for her to go to a good school. Her “ninay” or grandma, on the other hand, was her mother since she’s the one who took good care of her while Jean was away. Besides, she also never felt that they were financially strapped since her Mama was so generous to her, trying her best to give her anything that she desired.

“Kaya rin po siguro hindi ako gano’n ka-vocal kasi alam ko na sobrang love ako ng Mama ko. Parang walang hindi gagawin para sa akin ‘yong Mama ko. Hindi niya ipaparamdam sa akin na kailangan kong mag-adjust,” Jennica said.

She also took the opportunity to clear her Mama’s name, which was put in a bad light after she opened up on Instagram about how delighted she was to finally afford to have an airconditioning unit and water heater at the house where she and her two daughters live. Many people bashed her Mama for not helping her with it, but they clarified that Jean actually didn’t know about it and she chose not to tell her in the first place since she knew that she would give those to her with no hesitation. Jean also imparted that even though they’re already well-off in life, her children are not the type who would ask her to buy stuff for them or depend on her.

Instead of getting offended that Jennica didn’t ask her for help, Jean implied that she really felt proud of her because she was able to make it on her own. She related, “Sobrang proud ako sa kanya kasi kumbaga, kakahiwalay niya [lang] sa asawa, tapos ngayon nag-start siya ng panibagong buhay. Ngayon, nakakabili siya unti-unti dahil hardworking siya. Tapos nanay siya, naaalagaan niya ang mga anak niya. [Sa akin], okay lang i-announce mo kasi ‘yan ang realidad.”

When asked why she chose to endure not asking her mom about it, the Dirty Linen star told Karen that she didn’t feel sorry for not having those “luxuries.” She explained, “’Yong reason ko rin talaga bakit ‘di ko sinabi kay Mama kasi alam kong ibibigay niya. At hindi naman niya kailangang ibigay kasi kung wala naman kami, hindi naman po namin ikamamatay.”

Jean added that she actually never visited Jennica and her daughters at their home because it is them who go to her house. Besides, Jennica also feels shy to accommodate her at their home since it’s relatively small, considering that they’re just starting in life again. But even though she’s aware that her mom is wealthier than her, Jennica still gave her mom money recently as her way of making her feel that she can take care of her as well.

Now that she’s also a single “careerwo-mom” like her Mama, Jennica shared that she idolizes her even more now. She enthused, “Sobrang idol ko na ‘yong Mommy ko dati…especially now. And I think, a lot of the big decisions that I made in my life and my confidence also came from how I saw my mom, na parang she was able to handle it well. And if my mom was able to do it, I’d be able to do it, too.”

Jean wasn’t able to hold back her tears upon hearing those words from her daughter, as well as when she told Karen how Jennica is able to make up for her shortcomings by never speaking ill against her. That also touched the heart of Karen because it’s rare for her to hear from a parent like Jean that it’s her child who filled the void and made sacrifices, too. Thus, whatever happens in her life, she still feels complete because she has her kids right by her side.

When quizzed by Karen how she’s able to develop that kind of mindset and love that she has for her parents, especially for her mom, Jennica revealed, “Di ko po alam eh. Basta ang alam ko lang po, mahal ko po ‘yong Mama ko, mahal ko po ‘yong Papa ko. Hindi ko man po nakuha ‘yong childhood na nakuha ng iba, ang sa akin lang po, ayoko po silang mas mahirapan pa. Pakiramdam ko po, kung dadagdag pa ako, sobrang kawawa naman po ‘yong mga magulang ko.” Jean attested to it by disclosing how Jennica would always adjust for the family ever since she was young.

With Jennica’s separation from her ex-husband, actor Alwyn Uytingco, Jean shared that she initially advised her to fix the misunderstandings or differences they had before coming up with a decision since they have two children. But whatever her decision would be, she would completely respect it. She also went on to remind Jennica that her life would just go on.

Love life may have been a running joke among her and her friends, but Jennica clarified that she’s actually not looking for romance at present because she’s already fine being single rather than being hurt that same way again. For now, she only hopes to give her two girls a happy life and everything they need, as well as for them to end up with a spouse who will never forsake them.

If there’s one thing that Jean wishes to happen to her unica hija, it would be for her to be able to stand on her own, know her worth, and be proud of herself. On the other hand, Jennica wants her mom to be able to find a life partner. But Jean isn’t really keen, as well, to be in a relationship again because she rather take care of Jennica, Kotaro, and her adopted child Jessica Mae, as well as of her apos Mori and Alessi, whom she spoils so much.

Both of them also have no regrets about how their romantic lives turned out because Jean is blessed with two beautiful offspring, while Jennica is able to muster the courage to come out of her shell through the inspiration brought by her kids.

The interview capped off with the mother-and-daughter pair giving each other poignant messages.

Aside from their heartwarming conversation, Karen also made them play a fun and simple game called “Sino Ang Mas?” According to them, it is Jean who’s the “mas mataray” and “mas maarte,” while it’s Jennica who’s the “mas malambing” and “mas mabait.” None of them is kuripot or stingy and both of them easily forgive.

The pair then disclosed that both of them can sing, with Jennica even giving us a sample of a popular Filipino rap song. As Jennica mentioned that she wishes to have Coco Martin as an onscreen partner, Jean also revealed that she likes to work with him, too!