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Maxine Medina, Vern Enciso, Ria Atayde, and Valerie Weigmann on First-Time Motherhood

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<div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1746851451466first-time moms mothers day 2025 (1).jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">First-time moms Maxine Medina-Llana (with son Timothy Mateus Ezekiel), Vern Enciso-Lim (with son Nathan), Ria Atayde-Marudo (with son Sabino), and Valerie Weigmann (with son Lothar Ryujin)</span></span></span> </div><p style="text-align:left">Stepping into motherhood for the first time is like embarking on a new adventure or navigating an uncharted territory. It is an exciting journey filled with joy, love, and learning. Transitioning into this new role is also an opportunity for self-discovery for new moms—from mastering diaper changes and feeding schedules to understanding different cries. Ultimately, they realize they can be a stronger version of themselves for another human being, and it&#x27;s amazing what a big difference these tiny bundles of joy can bring to their mothers&#x27; lives.</p><p>That it is like riding an emotional rollercoaster is how new mothers often describe first-time motherhood. Caring for a new life is indeed challenging and can take an emotional toll on someone; the anxiety is real, amplified by hormonal shifts, lack of sleep, and the sheer weight of responsibility that comes with fulfilling this new role. However, new moms will surely agree that exhaustion can easily fade when they see their baby smile. </p><p>First-time motherhood is about embracing change, as you see your life transform in profound ways. It is a journey of growth, where every day brings discoveries. </p><div><strong>What does this season in their lives mean to them? Maxine Medina, Vern Enciso, Ria Atayde, and Valerie Weigmann talk about that in this exclusive:</strong></div><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1746851245505491455784_18500507284034836_8197687750530251559_n.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Beauty queen and model Maxine Medina gave birth to her first child with husband Timmy Llana in August 2024; they named their son Timothy Mateus Ezekiel. </span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:left"><strong>What’s the best thing about motherhood so far? </strong></div><p><strong>Maxine: </strong>&quot;<strong></strong>Aside from getting to eat healthy and enjoy the food you love without guilt, the best thing about motherhood, so far, is discovering how far love can go. Having my son, Zeke, has shown me a kind of love I never knew I was capable of: deep, full, and completely unconditional. It’s the kind of love that transforms you in the best way, softening you and strengthening you all at once. Every smile and cuddle from him reminds me that this is the most meaningful and beautiful experience of my life.&quot;</p><p><strong>Vern: </strong>&quot;<strong></strong>The little milestones. Just seeing your baby grow up every day is what makes it all worth it—every smile, every laugh, a roll, or even their little reactions to new food you give them are all etched in my memory bank.&quot;</p><p><strong>Ria:</strong> &quot;Apart from discovering things about myself, the best part of motherhood so far is watching my baby grow and falling in love with him even more everyday.&quot;</p><p><strong>Valerie: </strong>&quot;<strong></strong>Finding an altogether new purpose wrapped up in an indescribably joyful adventure that, I’m told, can be maddening at times. It’s given me a new perspective as well—grateful for all the simple moments with my son and time with our family.&quot;</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1746850847504491465002_18500492347026650_5268401379045679843_n.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Content creator Vern Enciso and her husband Ben Lim welcomed their first son, Nathan, in September 2024. In her vlogs, Vern opened up about her high-risk pregnancy and IVF journey. </span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>What’s something about motherhood that you didn’t expect? </strong></div><p><strong>Maxine: </strong>&quot;I didn’t expect motherhood to be this fun and this challenging at the same time. Every day surprises me. There’s this feeling of being a superwoman—like I can do anything simply because I’m a mom. Even when it’s hard, there’s an inner voice that says, &#x27;Yes, I can do it.&#x27; The strength and resilience that naturally rise from you are something I never anticipated, and it’s empowering in ways I never imagined. Zeke constantly inspires me to show up as my best self, no matter what.&quot;<strong></strong><strong></strong></p><p><strong>Vern: </strong>&quot;<strong></strong>That it just gets harder. Everyone talks about how hard the newborn stage is, but no one talks about how hard it just keeps getting! A new stage for them is also a new stage for a new mom.&quot;<strong></strong></p><p><strong>Ria:</strong> &quot;How difficult and yet worth it breastfeeding can be! But more than that, I guess what I didn’t expect is how much it can transform you physically, emotionally, and mentally—how much autonomy you lose and how much you grow. It’s been the most exhausting yet rewarding experience ever.&quot;</p><p><strong>Valerie: </strong>&quot;<strong></strong>That you can find a whole new community of people who are willing to share their own respective parenting journey.&quot;</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1746851090402486246044_18492446443039522_406129414787203928_n.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">In September 2024, celebrity couple Ria Atayde and Zanjoe Marudo became parents to a baby boy they named Sabino.</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>How do you do self-love and self-care these days as you’re juggling motherhood? </strong></div><p><strong>Maxine:</strong> &quot;For me, self-care is about finding small pockets of contentment, even in the busiest moments. It’s giving yourself space to breathe, reset, and show yourself grace on the hard days. Lately, I’ve made it a habit to fix my hair, dress up a little, and put on some makeup when I go out. It reminds me that I’m still me—not just Zeke’s mom but also a woman who deserves to feel confident and happy. Those little things make a big difference in keeping me grounded and recharged, so I can show up fully both for myself and for him.&quot;<strong></strong></p><p><strong>Vern: </strong>&quot;<strong></strong>Taking time for myself, even just for an hour or two every day—may it be enjoying a coffee and quiet time at the start of the day before my baby wakes up, or skincare before going to bed when my baby is asleep. Every minute counts when you’re a mom!&quot;<strong></strong><strong></strong><br/></p><p><strong>Ria:</strong> &quot;I’m blessed to have a supportive husband, great angels, and a super active family and group of friends who make the journey much easier for me. Because of them, I’m able to take time out for myself when I feel like I need it—be it getting a massage, working out, or going out for date night.&quot;</p><p><strong>Valerie: </strong>&quot;<strong></strong>About the same but a bit more deliberate, as there is, of course, a tendency not to prioritize self-care. Just as the saying goes: &#x27;Mom needs to pour into her own cup first so she can pour into her kids.&#x27; Even during my pregnancy, I would make it a point to have my pamper time. As simple as taking long showers, getting a massage, or just finding time for some exercise. It’s important to keep continuing what brings us fulfillment as individuals without guilt creeping in.&quot;</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1746850791624488169924_18501155161052803_162338728281217168_n.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Model and beauty queen Valerie Weigmann became a mom in October 2024; she and her partner, Bodie Pulido, are parents to a baby boy, Lothar Ryujin. </span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>Lead photos from <strong>@maxine_medina @vernenciso @ria @vweigmann</strong></p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Related: </strong><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/metro-style/people/2025/5/9/winwyn-marquez-looks-back-on-miss-universe-philippines-2025-and-talks-about-motherhood-and-her-mom-1345" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>What Mom and Beauty Queen Winwyn Marquez Is Most Proud Of After the MUPH 2025 Competition</strong></a></div>

<p>What does this season in their lives mean to them? In this exclusive, first-time moms Maxine Medina, Vern Enciso, Ria Atayde, and Valerie Weigmann talk about their new roles. </p>

What does this season in their lives mean to them? In this exclusive, first-time moms Maxine Medina, Vern Enciso, Ria Atayde, and Valerie Weigmann talk about their new roles.

Maxine Medina, Vern Enciso, Ria Atayde, and Valerie Weigmann Open Up About First-Time Motherhood

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Maxine Medina, Vern Enciso, Ria Atayde, and Valerie Weigmann Open Up About First-Time Motherhood

Grace Libero

Published May 10, 2025 12:30 PM PHT

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Updated May 10, 2025 12:43 PM PHT

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