Bakit Single Ka Pa Rin? Jennica Garcia on Love and Standards

It’s past 9:00 PM. The kids are finally asleep, the sink is miraculously clear of dishes, and the school uniforms are prepped for tomorrow. You collapse onto the couch, let out a deep exhale, and grab your phone. Between laughing at funny reels and checking work emails, this sneaky thought often gets in: Will it always just be me carrying the load? Is there still room for real, lasting love in my story?

When you’ve been rocking the solo parent life for a while, the waiting season can feel long… like, lining-up-at-the-bank-on-a-payday-Friday kind of long. And when well-meaning relatives hit you with the dreaded “O, bakit single ka pa rin?” at family reunions, it’s easy to feel a pang of doubt. You might even catch yourself wondering, “Am I being too choosy? Should I just lower my standards so I don't end up alone?”

Mama, pause right there. Another single mama has words of wisdom for you.

In a super candid, heart-to-heart chat on the Think Talk Tea podcast with host (and good friend) Kring Kim, celebrity mom—and happy single momma—Jennica Garcia shared a refreshing perspective on love, solitude, and boundaries that might make you say, “Ah, maybe I should not rush into finding love again.”

In this era of fast DMs and mixed signals, even bare-minimum gestures can definitely make you kilig. But Jennica was quick to remind solo moms that craving companionship doesn’t mean welcoming low-effort suitors into your hard-earned peace.

"Ang nangyayari, you know what you want, but because hindi clear sa'yo kung ano talaga 'yung gusto mo, kinikilig ka na sa mga bagay na pwedeng ginagawa niya din sa iba."

Let’s translate that: A flame emoji on your IG story is not a lasting sign of true devotion, mamas! Having high standards doesn’t make you “maarte” or unrealistic. When you’re a mom, your heart comes as a package deal with your children and their emotional well-being. Keeping your standards high isn’t just about protecting your heart—it’s also about being mindful of who you allow into your children’s lives.

Jennica shared a funny yet insightful story about a guy who seemed like an answered prayer at first—Christian, charming, and respectful in his messages. But when she took a closer look at how he lived his everyday life and who he followed online, his private habits didn’t match his godly talk.

"We can share the same faith, but have very different practices in life,” Jennica shares.

She realized that holding out for a partner who takes his own healing and maturity seriously is completely non-negotiable.

"If a man comes up to me and [he’s] not doing the work to heal so we could give each other the best version of ourselves, I'm not the one for you."

If he hasn’t done the work to grow, think twice before giving him a front-row seat to the lovely life you've built.

One of the most liberating truths Jennica shared is that waiting doesn't equal loneliness.

When asked what happens if she never ends up remarrying, her answer was filled with peace, not fear.

"Wala pa rin akong talo, kasi I raise my children by letting them know that I want you to know that you have a Heavenly Father in Jesus Christ."

Being single isn't a waiting room of sadness where your life is on hold. Perhaps it’s a season to nurture the warm, full, and joyful life you’re already living. If a good, honorable man comes along, he’ll be a wonderful bonus to an already rich life.

On the days when solo parenting feels exhausting and the quiet of the night tries to tell you that you’ve been forgotten, tuck Jennica’s reminder into your pocket:

"Single moms, please remember: the greatest lie of the enemy... 'You're alone.' You're not alone."

Whether your strength comes from your faith, your trusted village, or your own incredible resilience, you are holding it down beautifully.

As host Kring Kim gently added during their chat: "Motherhood is a role, but that's not just you. You're also an identity that's outside of motherhood."

So go ahead, mama. Guard your heart, enjoy your peaceful solo evenings, and keep your standards high. Waiting for the right kind of love isn’t a sign that you’re falling behind. It’s proof that you know what kind of love deserves a place in the life you’ve built for yourself and your babies.

Drawing from her experiences, Marjorie Barretto shares her advice on choosing a partner.