John Prats To Isabel Oli: ‘Mas Nararamdaman Kong Nag-Eexcel Ako Kung Nasa Likod Kita’

In an interview with Boy Abunda, celebrity couple John Prats and Isabel Oli opened up about their enduring love and the joys of parenting.

Approaching their ninth year of marriage, Boy asked the couple what their new vows were to each other. John went first and expressed profound gratitude for Isabel, declaring, “Thank you, I mean it’s not a perfect [relationship], kumbaga yung ilang years natin hindi naging perfect. But I’m always thankful and blessed that you stayed and pinipili mo kami ng mga anak [natin]. And thank you for supporting me dahil sa mga hirap nung mga ginagawa ko, especially when it comes to directing. Mas nararamdaman kong nag-eexcel ako kung nasa likod kita, at alam kong grabe yung suporta mo sa akin. And I will always choose you, even sa next life.”

Isabel, for her part, said that she’ll always support John no matter what, “I know, hindi talaga siya perfect but let’s just try to have a perfect story for us. And nung sinabi ko sa vows natin before na I will be forever na defender mo sa social media bashers, ganon pa din ngayon. And I’m always here for you. Hindi man tayo always happy, pero we choose love always. And thank you sa patience mo, and sa love, and sacrifice mo para sa amin ng mga kids mo. And I love you even sa next life.”

Isabel also imparted valuable marriage advice she received, emphasizing the importance of forgiveness and letting go of past wrongs. “Always be patient and don’t keep records of wrongs,” she shared.

In another interview, the couple also expressed their commitment to each other, with John saying, “Separation is not an option.”

“Alam namin yung paghihiwalay hindi option and pareho naming gusto yun. Alam namin na mahaba pa ang tatahakin namin. But dun sa journey namin na 10 years together, sobrang happy kasi ako. Ang hirap na kasing makahanap din ngayon ng babae na ka-match mo,” John further shared.

The couple got married in May 16, 2015 in Batangas.

John and Isabel as parents

When asked how motherhood changed her, Isabel admitted, “Grabe, a lot. Mas selfless ako ngayon.” And both she and John affirmed this, with John saying that the adage “Iyung isusubo mo nalang, ibibigay mo pa sa anak mo,” is “totoong, totoo.”

John also shared the best advice he heard about fatherhood, “Enjoy every moment, because dadaan lang talaga sa iyo yan.”

The couple has three children, Lily Feather, Daniel Freedom, and Lilla Forest. All of whom, they admit, seem to take after their parents when it comes to performing and being interested in showbiz. But the couple admits that they prefer for their children to finish their studies first.

“Until naman ngayon, gusto namin tapusin nila pag-aaral nila but hindi ko alam kung nasa dugo talaga. My eldest, actually lahat sila, even yung pinaka-bunso namin, si Forest, gustong-gusto niya,” John said.

John also recounted how much their kids enjoy the projects they get, “Like may mga brands na pumapasok kay Feather, naiinggit si Forest. Dumating yung time na grabe, si Freedom din. Sabi ko kay Liv [Isabel], okay lang siguro if we do brands, yung mga ganyan, social media mga ganyan. Pero yung talagang artista, patapusin ko muna siguro sila ng pag-aaral…”

The couple are aligned on this aspect, as Isabel shares, it’s similar with her, “Ako, gusto ko din na makapag-tapos sana, kasi yun naman din yung sa akin eh, pinatapos muna ako before entering showbiz. Pero kasi, nakikita ko na ngayon, iba talaga, lalo na yung youngest and si Feather. Iba, they enjoy, they like to dance. They like to act.”

“They’re comfortable kapag may guesting. They’re comfortable in front of the cameras,” John added.

And while they prefer to prioritize their children’s studies, it seems that the couple is also keeping an open mind on their kids’ career path. John said, “Actually I don’t want to say anything muna kasi hindi ko din masabi. But syempre, kung gusto naman nila, well as a parent, we just have to support and guide them.”