How stardom changed Eduard Folayang for the better throughout the years

Money and fame can turn a person for the worse. While stardom can easily get into the head of an individual, some use their public stature to become a better role model to society.

Take Eduard Folayang as an example. The former ONE lightweight world champion touted as the face of Philippine mixed martial arts only grew far more grateful and humble along the way according to his wife, Genevieve Folayang.

"He remains the same. Even if I'm not his wife I'll be very proud of him because he's not a show-off," she said.

"I thought he might change when his name gets big but he never changed that's why I get to respect him more as time goes on. I didn't think he will go this far and now I have such high regard for him, so as his friends and our neighbors."

Folayang's rise to superstardom came with a boost to their household income, but Mrs. Folayang shared that they maintain a frugal lifestyle through it all.

"As a husband, Eduard is a very good provider. There's nothing he won't give though we live a simple lifestyle," Genevieve shared.

Folayang's friends and teammates can attest that being an MMA icon, it's often that the Team Lakay superstar gets stopped by fans for photographs all the time. While other public figures can get irked by such, the Folayangs, including their two children Yeshuareigns and Yahamaziach, would rather enjoy it.

"I often get asked how I feel being his other half, it's both a joy and challenging given his life as a fighter," she noted.

"I often pretend not to know him when we go out, move back, and offer to take photos for fans. We are so proud of him especially our kids. My 3-year-old is very proud and happy when she sees someone asking to take pictures with his dad."

And regardless of how far he has gone in his career, how big his name has grown over the years, Folayang maintained the same down to earth nature and comes home to his family not as an athlete but as a hard-working dad and husband.

"Eduard wants to give all of his time to his kids," Genevieve said.

"The moment he gets home he gives them a big hug and plays with them. He feeds them himself, he is very hands-on." -- BAP, GMA News