Christine Jacob: A Shining Example

If there’s one woman who is the true epitome of the quintessential Glam-O-Mama it is the beautiful Christine Jacob-Sandejas. The list of accomplishments is endless and too long to enumerate but here are a few. She’s an Olympian. She’s an established television host (for over 20 years). She’s genuinely nice, compassionate and caring. But her biggest accomplishment and success in life  as she will tell you is her family.

She is wife to Paco Sandejas and they have one of the most loving and solid marriages you have ever seen, admired by all who know them. Chris is also mother to five of the most beautifully behaved, studious and gregarious children you’ll ever have the pleasure to meet. Her secret? I believe it’s that she has managed to find what most of us are still searching for: the elusive, magical balance between family, career and personal fulfillment. Chris is also one of the most hands-on mothers I know which is no small feat considering the size of her brood and her successful, established television career. Not to mention her passion for running marathons (she just finished a 26k in under 2 hours. Yes, she is the REAL Super Woman), yoga and swimming. The Sandejas family is also firmly anchored in their faith and their deep-seated spirituality seems to be the glue that binds them all together.

Amanda Griffin-Jacob talks to her sister-in-law Christine about motherhood, family, and the secret of her success. She also gets her nieces’ (Gabby & Nina) opinions on their shining example of a mother.

What are you up to these days?

Lately I’ve been busy finishing up my show on GMA news TV “Full Time Moms”. I have a new show called game also on GMA news TV. It’s a sports show. My first sports show. Plus taking care/tutoring my 4 kids in school.  Jaime my 5th is two and a half yrs old  so no homework YET….

 

 

 

 

What’s a day in your life like?

I wake up at 6. Have my coffee, bring my 4 kids to school (Jaime 2yrs old school just started in June) , Then ME time…I play tennis or yoga or run or workout…pick up the 4yr old from school and have lunch with them. Then do errands (bank, grocery etc). Pick up the 3 older kids from school and bring them to various activities (ballet/ gymnastics/ soccer/ reading/ little gym/ cheer dancing/ violin guitar/ piano…etc (never ending activities..wait till summer ) Then come home and do homework, Dinner then Sleep by 8:30. And the cycle starts again……

CHRISTINE AS A WOMAN AND AS A MOM

How has motherhood changed you?

Motherhood changed me in more ways than one. The moment I found out I was pregnant it stopped being about me and more about the wonderful miracle of life in my womb. (from the things I ate to the things I do). My children are my life.

How have you been able to balance motherhood with everything else?

Priorities! Family First. Then everything else comes after. Learning how to organize your time wisely.

Gabby and Nina tell us what they think of their mom:

“She is athletic, outgoing and ELEGANT” says Gabby Sandejas.

“Outgoing? Not too sure about that. Elegant?  Wow! I like that coming from her!” Christine exclaims.

How would you describe yourself as a mom?

Gabby and Nina said: “As a mom : an EXCELLENT role model, responsible, hardworking, FUN, loving and HUGGABLE …..

Christine says “The best! I LOVE MY KIDS!!”

What is your beauty regimen like?

Beauty regimen prior to motherhood nothing much. Low maintenance. Just the basic cleaning / toning of face. Was not that into wellness. Now after motherhood…better diet more of vegetables less carbs. More active physically. For the face unfortunately I need more creams, antioxidants..anti wrinkle cream, sun block,…etc..But the best is more laughter and more chocolates (my favorite)

Why do you think it’s important for a mom to take care of herself?

Being a mother is just another dimension added to your life. It does not change who you are but makes you a better, more loving and caring person. If you are happy you will naturally want to smile more, dress a little better for yourself, your husband and your children.

What makes you a Glam-o-Mama?

What makes me a Glam-O-Mama Hmmmm…Gabby said my spirit because I am always open to new things and I encourage the same with them. Nina said because I am “fit”. I think it because I LOVE being a MOTHER!!! It brings out the best in me.

ON SPORTS

How important is sports in your life?

Sports are very important in our family since Paco and I grew up with sports being a big part of our lives. I want the same for our kids. They do sports every afternoon after school. It teaches them so many important lessons in life.

What sports are your favorites?

I play tennis on a regular basis. We join club tournaments.  I started running to help my tennis. I did more yoga when I was pregnant and now I do it twice a week for a good stretch. 
I enjoy running because its something I can do anytime, anywhere. Its outdoors, which I love. It’s a sport anyone can do.

What marathons do you have coming up?

I ran my first marathon march 2011, its call the dream marathon. It’s a first timers marathon held yearly in Nuvali. my husband Paco and I plan to run a marathon in San Francisco in October this year.

 

ON HER KIDS

What is it about your children that you love? How would you describe them?

What is it about my kids that I love…Is that they were given to me by GOD. My 5 kids are all special and so different from each other.

Paolo (the eldest) is very creative and has a big imagination, Gabby is full of life and confident, Nina is a sweetie pie and a positive thinker, Luis is very loving and a brave boy, Jaime  is the baby of our family. He is very smart and active since he has to keep up with 4 older siblings.

How do you make sure each of your kids receives individual time?

I make it a point to spend time alone with each kid. It can be by taking them to school. Or lunch together or even doing the grocery together helps a lot.

 

ON HER FAMILY

How important is Faith in terms of your life and family?

Faith plays a very important role in my parenting style. They seem to understand better when I discipline by stating examples of the life of Jesus or how we should behave. It’s more than just a religion but a way of life.

Is there any secret to your happy family?

No secret. Just love and respect each other. Spending time with everyone especially my husband. Lots of prayers.

Any tips for mothers out there with multiple kids?

Tips for multiple kids:

1)   Be organized.

2)   Teach the older kids to watch out for the younger kids.

If you had a “Do Over” for anything in your life, would you?

If I were to do something over, what would it be? Nothing , life is perfect the way it is.