This LGBT couple from Tondo is excited to welcome their second baby this year!
Kim Adrian Juanico and Apple Hilari’s relationship became official in 2015. But they eventually broke up after dating for quite a while.
“Hindi nagtagal kasi natakot siya [Apple] kasi‘yung discrimination, ‘yung tukso ng mga barkada lalo na puro sila tomboy. Nag-ano kami non, nag-quit. Kasi nga ‘yung mga sulsol, ‘Bakit katomboyan mo tapos bakla ‘yung ano [karelasyon] mo,’ ganon. Hanggang sa nalaman na ng parents niya, ng parents ko. Parang hindi pa nga handa,” Kim told the Philippine STAR.
“Maraming pag-a-adjust kasi marami akong nakarelasyon dati na babae. Mahirap talaga no’ng una,” Apple added.
After five years, Apple and Kim proved that love is sweeter the second time around.
They tried to work on their relationship and decided to build their own family. Apple gave birth to their first baby girl, Adrianna Louise, in July 2021.
According to the couple, they had to learn every step of the way on their journey to parenthood.
“Sobra akong nahirapan. Natakot ako kasi hindi ko alam kung paano mag-uumpisa. Hanggang sa lumabas na si baby, hindi ko alam paano mag-alaga,” Apple recalled.
Not to mention the unsolicited advice and discrimination they received while Apple was pregnant.
“Sa’kin lang, pwede ka naman magsalita. ‘Wag ka lang magko-comment pagdating sa anak ko kasi doon talaga ako makikipagbardagulan. Kasi wala namang kinalaman ‘yung bata sa nangyari sa relasyon namin, bakit pati ‘yung bata nadadamay sa bashing?” Kim noted.
Apple said that she was moved by the dedication of Kim to provide for their family.
“Bilib ako sa kanya kasi maraming nagbago sa kanya. ‘Pag alam niyang marami akong nararamdaman hindi niya ako pinakikilos. Dati tambay lang talaga siya. Ngayon, nagagampanan niya ‘yung pagiging padre de pamilya niya sa amin,” Apple stressed.
For his part, Kim said he wholeheartedly accepted his responsibility as the head of the family.
“Sobra-sobrang pagche-change. Minsan kahit pagod ako, pag-uwi ko naglalaba pa rin ako, para magampanan lahat ng kailangan gawin. Minsan naglalako pa ko ng longganisa,” Kim said.
Despite the hardships that they experienced, Apple and Kim said that being a parent was one of the best feelings and greatest blessing they received.
“Mapapagod ka lang talaga pero kinabukasan ‘pag nakatulog ka, nakapagpahinga ka, laban ulit. Hindi ka na mapapagod ‘pag magulang ka na. Laban ulit sa buhay,” the couple said.
Apple is expected to give birth to their second child in October 2024.
The two said that they are ready to explain their little family to their children when the right time comes.
“Papatunayan ko sa kanya na mas karapat-dapat niya kami ipagmalaki kaysa pakinggan ‘yung kwento ng iba. Kasi sa totoo lang, ang gender hindi naman malaking katanungan ‘yan,” Kim said.
“‘Yun ang pagmamalaki ko sa anak ko. Kaya kahit kailan hindi ako matatakot na malaman niya. Alam ko matutunan ‘yun ng anak ko––kung ano kami––at mas mananaig pa rin kung ano ‘yung nagawa namin para sa kanya,” Kim added.
