JC Intal: ‘You Have to Learn How to Say No to Your Daughters’

In this Smart Parenting exclusive, former professional basketball player JC Intal reflects on marriage and fatherhood. Speaking during the December 2025 cover shoot, JC shares what he believes helps sustain a long-term relationship, especially as he and his wife, Bianca Gonzalez Intal, raise their daughters together.

“We’re gonna celebrate our 11th wedding anniversary, and for me, itong 11 years na ’to, there’s no such thing as a perfect marriage,” JC said ahead of their anniversary on December 4.

“You have to learn how to compromise, learn how to say sorry, and always see to it that your wife is feeling loved every day. Wala namang perfect na… hindi ’yung gigising ka, you’re so in love with your wife. You just have to make sure to improve yourself as a person, as a husband, as a wife.”

That mindset carries over into how JC shows affection at home.

“I’m very malambing to Bianca, even with the kids. Parang they joke around sometimes when I kiss their mom. ‘Ew, ew!’” JC said. “You know naman kids.”

“I want them to see how I treat their mom. Of course, it’s not perfect. Minsan there are arguments, but I’m very conscious when I raise my voice or when we have small arguments. I make an effort not to do it in front of them,” he explained.

Fatherhood continues to teach JC patience and restraint, especially as a dad to two girls.

“Too many. You have to be patient. You have to learn how to say no to your girls, especially since I have two girls. They just turned ten and seven,” he said of the lessons fatherhood has taught him. “Sometimes, ang mga dads out there, ’di maka-no sa girls, especially sa daughters nila.”

For JC, spending time with his children is non-negotiable.

“Every day, we see to it that we spend quality time with them. One of the greatest lessons I’ve ever learned is to really spend quality time. You have to make sure you’re not just physically present, but you also have to learn how to listen to them,” JC shared.

“Every year, iba-ibang stages ’yung mga kids, so you have to research din and study, and talk to other parents on how to improve yourself as a parent.”

Despite the challenges, JC said fatherhood brings him deep gratitude: “Being a girl dad is the best feeling in the world. It’s truly God’s grace. It’s an undeserved gift, and I just love being a girl dad,” he said. “I can’t imagine my life without Lucia and Carmen.”

JC Intal and TV host Bianca Gonzalez married on December 4, 2014, and together they built a family with daughters Lucia and Carmen, now ten and seven.

Click here to discover the five things you shouldn’t take for granted if you value your marriage.