This year marked a special beginning for some celebrity couples as they welcomed their babies.
Reports say that the number of births in the Philippines have dropped significantly in the past years.
Based on the preliminary data from the 2022 National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), the total fertility rate of Filipino women aged 15 to 49 years declined from 2.7 children per woman in 2017 to 1.9 children per woman in 2022.
But there are showbiz couples who were not part of this statistics. Instead, they were filled with happiness because of the life-changing moment of giving birth to their babies.
One of the most anticipated births in show business was the arrival of the daughter of Iza Calzado.
Iza Calzado, who got pregnant at age 40 considers this experience as a miracle.
The 'Shake, Rattle & Roll' actress waited a few years before she and husband Ben Wintle welcomed Deia Amihan in January 2023. The couple got married in Palawan in December 2018.
Victor Basa and Fabio Ide are also a source of inspiration for a lot of parents whose children were born prematurely.
'Destiny Rose' actor Fabio documented on his social media pages the weeks that his twins Maya Nicole and Luna Alessandra had to spend at the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
Meanwhile, Victor talked about the challenges of taking care of a preemie like his daughter Alessandra.
“A dream is a wish our hearts made when hoping and praying for our little Alessandra Emmanuele who was born a little sooner than expected but is healthy and lively much to our delight.
“As first-time parents I can imagine it can be more jarring to welcome a baby into the world especially at our tender age of... but am so thankful for the best doctors recommended that kept mommy and baby safe. So thankful to [our] family for being there and praying with us through our fears during these first few days of life and bringing food all the way to the hospital.”
Check out the other celebrity parents who welcomed their newborn kids this 2023!
Iza Calzado unlocked a new chapter in her life back on January 26, 2023, when she gave birth to her daughter Deia Amihan. The first-time mom stated on her Instagram post showing the first photo of Deia that this little girl has already brought so much joy in their lives. “Words can't describe the love we're feeling as we introduce our precious baby girl, Deia Amihan Calzado Wintle. Born on January 26th, 2023, she's already stolen our hearts and brought so much joy into our lives. We're so grateful for the love and support from our family and friends, and can't wait for all the adventures that lie ahead. Big love from our family to yours! #WintleHasArrived,” xx
The 34-year-old soap opera actress Kris Bernal joined celebrity mom who gave birth this 2023. She welcomed her daughter, Hailee Luca, last August 15. Kris tied the knot with her husband, Perry Choi, during the COVID-19 pandemic in September 2021.
The Wintle family added a new member as Iza's sister-in-law, former actress Bianca King, gave birth to her daughternamed Sadie Harlow. Yes, Bianca's husband, Ralph Wintle, is the brother of Iza's hubby. The 'Mulawin' actress announced that she already gavebirth in March 2023.
Rachelle Ann Go was overjoyed with the arrival of Sela Teruah, her second baby with non-showbiz husband Martin Spies on March 23, 2023.
Mommy Rachelle also revealed the meaning behind the name of her daughter. She said on Instagram, “Sela means rock, to pause or reflect, while Teruah means shout or trumpet blast.”
'Pepito Manaloto' actress Janna Dominguez is looking into the future with hope since she also gave birth to a baby boy named Leon in October 2023. This happened days before the passing of her stepdaughter Yzabel,
Yzabel, daughter of Janna's partner Mickey Ablan from previous relationship.
Former child star Trina Legaspi now has a little Hopia! The actress-turned-content creator gave birth to Kaela on March 13, 2023 with non-showbiz husband Ryan Jarina. The Jarina couple got engaged in the middle of the pandemic in December 2020 after six years of being in a relationship. Their first wedding happened in 2021 and a year later, they exchanged “I Do's” again at Christ the King in November 2022.
August 14 will always be a memorable date Jason Abalos because this was the day Vickie Rushton gave birth to their child named Knoa Alexander.
Vickie described her birthing experience as magical. She said, “I wouldn't have it any other way. It was magical and I would do it all over again in a heartbeat.
Toni Gonzaga gave birth to Paulina Celestine in August 2023. This is her second child with Paul Soriano.
Brazilian-Japanese model-actor Fabio Ide and partner Ellen Fröjd experience a roller coaster of emotion after giving birth prematurely to their twins: Maya Nicole and Luna Alessandra, who have spent weeks in the NICU. Fabio informed his followers on Instagram last September 17 that they were able to bring Maya home and on October 1, they got the clearance that Luna could be released as well.
When their kids turned three months old last November, he couldn't help but be in awe of how fast they grew up. “ Can't believe these two little Vikings just turned 3 months old last Saturday. Maya was so happy that she even did the rock and roll sign with her hands. These past few days have been a roller coaster of emotions from pure joy to exhaustion but we are so excited to see them grow and learn new things.”
Former 'Bubble Gang' babe Gwen Zamora received a huge blessing on July 10, 2023 after she gave birth to Amber Mae Su Semerad, who is the younger sister of her and David Semerad's son named Cooper.
The sister of model Georgina Wilson, Jess Wilson has given birth to her first child Philippa Aurora with her husband Moritz Gastl. Jess announced the arrival of her baby in October 1, 2023.
The couple first held a civil ceremony at Sunlight Ecotourism Island Resort in Palawan in June 2021 and almost a year later had a church wedding in Salzburg, Austria.
'My Husband's Lover' actor Victor Basa is a doting father to Baby Alessandra Emmanuele. He and wife Stephanie had to wait a couple of years, before they received this blessing since they exchanged “I Do's” in 2019.
Former 'Pinoy Big Brother' teen housemate Patrick Sugui and social media influencer Aeriel Garcia are now parents as well. They shared a glimpse of their baby girl named Olivia on July 3, 2023 on Instagram.
Another former 'Pinoy Big Brother' contestant Pamu Pamorada is now part of the mommy club, after giving birth to her daughter Zaia on April 13, 2023. Zaia is her baby with chef Mitchell Hapin.
Several celebrity moms also welcomed their second baby this 2023. One of them is host Joyce Pring who gave birth to a baby girl on April 23, 2023.
Two former beauty queens were also blessed with new babies this year including Katarina Rodriguez (Clara Amal) and Rachel Peters (Luis Andres).
Meanwhile, 'The Seed of Love' star Valerie Concepcion gave birth to a baby boy on October 25. It is the same day, Mommy Valerie gave birth to her daughter Heather almost two decades ago.
'Open 24/7' actor Vic Sotto and Pauleen Luna are looking forward to 2024 with joy and excitement since they will be adding another member to their beautiful family. In July 2023, the couple announced that Tali will be having a sister.
Of course, Bossing's co-star in the Kapuso sitcom Maja Salvador got an early Christmas present, when she confirmed on X (formerly Twitter) on December 1, 2023 that she and Rambo Nuñez are going to be parents.
Likewise, Maja Salvador and Rambo Nuñez, who got married in an intimated wedding in Bali, Indonesia on July 31, 2023, are also expecting their first child.
Lastly, fans of the former Kapamilya child star Serena Dalrymple were ecstatic to find out that sher and her French-American husband, Thomas Bredillet, are also expecting their first child next year. In her Instagram post, Serena stated that she is due to give birth in March 2024.