Robi Domingo's Wish To Be A Dad Spurs Discussion

TV host Robi Domingo has a wish that all hoping to be parents can relate to. 

On his 35th birthday, Robi said he is no longer wanting anything for himself, but for his wife Maiqui Pineda's "sickness to be gone" and for her to conceive soon.

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"I'm having some birthday blues," he said in a two-part video on his Instagram on Friday, September 27th.

"Some people say it's time na mararamdaman mo na tumatanda ka na, but also, it's a time na pwede kang mag-reflect sa buhay mo."

"My plan in the next five years is to be a better 'houseband' and husband. And hopefully, next year, when the Lord permits it and when her [Maiqui's] condition permits it—depende sa clearance ng doctors—I hope to introduce you to a baby Robi or baby Maiqui, or why not twins?" he continued.

Robi then talked about their initial plans to conceive. He shared how difficult 2023 was for him when Maiqui was diagnosed with dermatomyositis, a rare autoimmune condition marked by muscle weakness and a distinctive skin rash.

"Nakakasa na ako na by this year—actually, by this month—sana meron na akong anak. But then it happened," he said. "It's hard… Maybe it's not time yet, but I'm hoping na mangyari 'yon."

"But first things first, I want Maiqui's sickness to be gone so that we can go back to our original plan. That's my wish for my birthday. It's not for me anymore," he added.

Also addressing their future child, Robi said as he teared up, "I am so ready to give all my love para sa 'yo."

Meanwhile, Maiqui thanked those who offered well wishes in the comments, saying, "Thank you, everyone, for the kind words and prayers!! We appreciate it. Thanks also to the best husband. Our plans, goals, and wishes WILL happen in God's time. I believe!"

She also organized a 'birthday salubong' for her husband, as seen in her Instagram stories. 

Some of the married couple's celebrity friends, Bianca Gonzalez and Kim Chiu, also expressed their support. 

Robi and Maiqui got engaged in 2022, then tied the knot in January 2024.

Robi Domingo's wish for Maiqui to conceive has been flagged as 'insensitive' by some

Despite the well wishes, some viewers were put off by the public video, expressing concern about Robi's wish and deeming it "insensitive."

Others have pointed out that it might put pressure on his wife and make her feel hurt, even though their situation is out of her control.

On Threads, a post by Ann Santillan gained traction. It read: "Saw Robi Domingo’s post about not having a child, or actually, his wife not being able to give him a child. As a wife, I think ang hirap panoorin 'yon knowing na alam mo na ngang may problema tapos 'yung husband mo is also saying those things in public. Na gustong gusto mong ibigay 'yung gusto niya pero wala kang magawa. Masakit yon, at doble ang sakit non bilang asawa."

View on Threads

The social media user even stressed the uncertainty of life and advised being realistic about expectations within a marriage. She wrote, "I also think na trying for a child is hard, so dapat realistic din sa part na "hindi lahat kaya mong planuhin." Lalo na sa mga bagay na hindi ikaw ang may control...Us trying to always control the future will only lead us to unmet expectations."

Santillan then mentioned that she wrote the post from the perspective of a wife who's also struggling to conceive.

Maiqui noticed the post and cleared the air by speaking up about how she felt about her husband's video. She said, "No issues at all. It's something I have openly spoken about before, but of course, he [Robi] has a bigger reach hehe. It's both of our plans, our goals, and our wishes, but we acknowledge the reality of things. We are hopeful, and for now, we put our trust in God’s plans for us."

Luckily, Maiqui was cool with it and even welcomed the different perspectives of the people who were concerned.

Click here to discover five helpful mobile apps for those trying to conceive.