Anne Curtis On Setting Her Priorities, Achieving Work-Life Harmony, And Bonding With Dahlia

In February this year, Anne Curtis-Smith returned to the Philippines from Australia, where she gave birth and spent her first months as a mother to daughter Dahlia. During that time, she really put family first and set aside work for the meantime to focus on transitioning to her new and greatest role.

It has only been about half a year since she returned, and yet it has already been hard to keep up with what Anne is up to these days. Not only is she an actress and host, she’s also an entrepreneur and a sought-after brand ambassadress. Anne has been actively promoting her beauty brand BLK which regularly comes up with new products, collaborations, and promos. 

Last March 2, Anne and her husband Erwan Heussaff celebrated Dahlia’s first birthday with a simple celebration at home, with their adorable little one digging into the traditional smash cake. Their family also got to squeeze in trips to Boracay and Palawan. 

Despite the challenging times, this entrepreneurial multi-hyphenate also introduced two new brands that were done in collaboration with those nearest and dearest to her: activewear line Recess with her friends like Isabelle Daza and babywear brand Tili Dahli with her sister-in-law Solenn Heussaff.  

Life may not be back to the old normal just yet, but Anne’s plate is full and her heart is fuller. With her career commitments back in full swing, she said, though, that she always reminds herself of her priority now. “Sometimes I still can’t believe that I’m now one of those celebrity moms I look up to. Ngayon ko lang na-realize na celebrity moms are really heroes in terms of managing their career and time for family. When I have endorsements and shoots, medyo matagal talaga at minsan umaabot ng gabi. So, I really need to manage my time and make sure I come home before Dahlia’s dinner,” she says.

One of her latest collaborations is with foodpanda, with which she did a campaign shoot that featured a catchy popstar concept which Anne really liked filming. “That was so fun to shoot, and I miss singing talaga! That’s why when foodpanda reached out to me and told me about the concept, I said yes right away!” (Anne is yet to return to hosting It’s Showtime but she and Vice Ganda recently reunited onstage at “Gandemic: The VG-Tal Concert” after almost two years of not seeing each other. And Anne got the chance to belt out a bit!)

Anne pointed out the timeliness and relevance of the foodpanda service in making sure more Filipinos stay safe by staying home and ordering online. “Food delivery is really what everyone needs right now, especially during these times. I also noticed that there are a lot of home-based sellers on foodpanda and that they support small local businesses. That’s important to me that behind the fun concepts, it’s really about endorsing a brand that is relevant to people now and it’s something I would personally use, lalo na kung busy ang chef namin sa bahay. That’s why I’m really grateful that I am part of the foodpanda family!”

Quality time with her own family gives her such a thrill. Anne shares, “I feel so kilig every time I see Dahlia and Erwan doing things together. When Erwan would prepare dinner for Dahlia, she would want to be there beside her Papa and would automatically do these cute little dances and gestures that are just so adorable.” 

She talks further about the bond between this father and daughter, saying, “They’re like twins! Sometimes I get jealous,” she jokes. “Dahlia really looks like her father. Sobrang carbon copy. But I’d like to believe she got everything else from her Mama. Even her love for K-Pop! Every time maririnig niya talaga, for example, ‘Dynamite’ from BTS, she’ll dance talaga! Diba, total performer, mana sa Mommy!” 

Earlier this month, in time for World Breastfeeding Week, Anne also opened up about the bond she formed with her daughter through breastfeeding. “17 months of breastfeeding in some pretty random places,” she begins. “It wasn’t easy. I had my own struggles (let’s just say there was curling of toes & frozen cabbage involved -thanks mum) but it’s been an unforgettable first time journey so far. One I’ll always cherish. All the little moments shared between her and I (hair pulling and biting included).”