Pops Fernandez On Blended Family, 'A Sibling Is A Sibling, No Divisions'

Pops Fernandez opened up about the realities of a blended family.

In an interview with Smart Parenting, the country's Concert Queen shared how it became possible for her sons to have a brotherly relationship with their half-sibling: “A sibling is a sibling, no divisions.”

Pops has two sons, Robin and Ram, with ex-husband Martin Nievera. Martin has another son with his ex-girlfriend Katrina Ojeda, 16-year-old Santino.

All of them got together during Christmas in 2019. Pops happily shared the photo on her Instagram, and wrote, “Christmas begins with Christ... merry Christmas!"

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A post shared by Pops Fernandez (@popsfernandezofficial)

READ ALSO: Pops Fernandez on Spending Christmas With Martin's Ex-GF Katrina: Nawala Na Yung Galit Ko

Pops Fernandez on sons' sibling relationship

Four years later, Pops shared how it became possible. She said, “With my family, I have half-siblings. So I’m very aware and used to that concept. We grew up under one roof. We deal with our relationship like any normal sibling relationship.”

She credits her mother, who taught her the importance of sibling relationships, “Maybe because napagdaanan ko na 'yun, I already experienced it—a sibling is a sibling, no division. That’s how my Mom raised us.”

Today her sons continue to care for their younger sibling Santino. “Now that my boys have a brother, gusto ko din na they would grow up and care for each other. Kahit na they don’t live together, they still feel na they are very much related. And I want that.”

She continued, “Happy ako. They take care of each other, Kuya (eldest son Robin), is very responsible. He always checks on his brothers. I like that setup. Ayoko rin na may division sila.”

Pops Fernandez on their blended family

Even before the terms “blended family” and “co-parenting” became popular, Pops and Martin were already navigating this unique journey.

Smart Parenting asked Pops how it all started, and she jokingly said, “A lot of people may find it strange. Sometimes, I would also wonder na, ‘Uy ang weird naman.’ Pero iba na ang panahon ngayon, hindi na tayo 1970s, I guess?”

Pops continued to share the backstory, “Before that Christmas, may mga talks na kami. Katrina reached out to me, and we decided to have a get-together. It was an early dinner.”

READ ALSO: 9 Celebrity Blended Families We Love; Plus, Lessons On Acceptance And Forgiveness

She also added with a fair warning that she hasn’t shared with anyone what she and Katrina talked about, “When we talked, we just agreed—we want our kids to grow up close as brothers. 'Yun yung gist nung talk.”

“We agreed for them to grow up together, to love each other, to take care of each other. After all, they are brothers. Eventually, yun na yun. Kakapunta dun (visiting them in the US), na-develop na yung pagiging friends and brothers,” Pops shared.

READ ALSO: Camille Prats Recalls The First Time Her Stepson Called Her Mom

Pops also said that meeting Santino was a "game-changer" for her, “And may Santino, na-meet ko na din si Santino. I think game-changer for me na na-meet ko si Santino physically. I think it helped take away kung may natitira pang angst, anger. Whatever man yun, nabura na.

Pops Fernandez's journey toward healing

Even though Pops exudes a positive vibe and always carries around a beautiful smile, she admitted that her journey towards healing wasn’t easy.

“It took a lot of time, personally, to be really okay. I thought I could not get over it,” she said.

"Tao lang naman tayo, we go through all of that, but what we do to overcome it, and move on, makes a big difference."  —Pops Fernandez

Pops continued, “Isa yun sa napakasakit na pinagdaanan ko sa buhay ko. To be able to get over that, and be okay with all of that, I’m really proud of myself. It’s really hard to do it, but when I decided to do that. Ayun na.”

She always remind herself and say to others, “The past is the past. Yun na yun. Yun lang ang masasabi ko, no need to look back. Sinabi ko na din naman sa sarili ko, okay naman na ko. Na-accept ko na yun.”

Pops Fernandez and Martin Nievera's grandchild

When asked about Martin's comments on their family setup, Pops laughed and said, “Well you need to ask him!”

But she also added, “At the end of the day, I’m sure he’s happy. Wala nang tension, parang that chapter is done.”

Pops and Martin not only remained friends after their separation but also continued to work and perform together. Pops said, “I’ve said this, we’re friends. Even before pa, we’re friends. I think that helped a lot. Siguro dahil we really work together well, performing on stage. We really enjoy doing that. That helps a lot.”

They started doing shows together, have misunderstandings, then perform together again. Pops felt that it was ‘paulit-ulit’ and said, “That’s the time I decided na okay na.”

READ ALSO: We Can Learn A Thing Or Two About Co-Parenting From Paulo Avelino And LJ Reyes

“I realized na kung may naiiwan pa na kahit konti na anger, sadness, all those negative emotions, may maliit na situation lang, you’ll be back to square one again. Hindi ka pa talaga nakamove-on. That’s why I decided, okay na ko. Tama na yan,” Pops shared.

“I also thought that time, I hate being sad. I hate being depressed. I hate being kawawa. Tao lang naman tayo, we go through all of that, but what we do to overcome it, and move on, makes a big difference,” Pops said.

Pops and Martin also welcomed their first grandson by their eldest son, “I can’t wait to see my apo physically and finally feel what my friends say about having an apo.”

Pops Fernandez is set to have her solo concert “Always Loved” on February 9 and 10, 2024, to be held at The Theatre at Solaire. Tickets are available on Ticketworld