Ang advice ni Janice: Inah de Belen reveals mom told her she can live with Jake Vargas

The decision for celebrity couple Inah de Belen and Jake Vargas to live under one roof wasn't entirely their own. The actress revealed that it was her mother, Janice de Belen, who first broached the idea and gave the couple her blessing.

During their recent guesting on “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda,” Inah recalled the suggestion came about five years ago, when she was rarely staying at home.

"Something happened five years ago. My mom was the one who suggested it. She told us, 'Ba't hindi na lang kayo mag-live in?'

 During that time, I was hardly at home anymore. Halos every day, every week, siya na ang kasama ko. That's when my mom said, 'Why don't you guys live together?'"

Inah admitted she was surprised when her mother brought it up. "Sabi ko, 'Totoo ba ito?' But before that, napag-uusapan na rin naman namin.”

She said she and Jake, 34, had already discussed the idea but weren't actively planning it or thinking of bringing it up with her parents. “So when she said it, parang iyon na rin ang blessing niya," she added.

Jake said he was equally surprised and admitted that the decision made him nervous.

"Kasi magli-live-in na kami, iba kasing usapin. Kaya ba namin? Pero inisip ko na lang, love naman namin ang isa't isa."

Inah added, "We'll make it work." Jake agreed, saying, "Yes, makakaya naman namin."

Addressing people who may not agree with living together before marriage, Inah said every relationship is different.

"This is just what works for us right now. This is what makes us happy. We do not judge people who don't believe in this setup, and we also do not judge people who choose to live this way. So, chill lang."

Jake also acknowledged that some people have asked why they chose to live together instead of getting married.

"Pero sa akin naman, iyong pagpapakasal mangyayari din naman. May plan naman kami talaga. Hindi lang namin minamadali. Kailangan talagang swak na swak na tayo sa isa't isa."

Inah then revealed that she didn't want to get married because of what happened to her parents, Janice and John Estrada,  who married in 1992 and had four children together but later ended their marriage through annulment.

"A few years ago, ayoko naman talaga, and I told him this many times. I did not want to get married because of what happened to my parents. But now, medyo okay na ako,” she admitted.

Jake happily added, "Gusto niya na." "Gusto ko na," Inah confirmed. 

Jake also shared that he has a close relationship with Inah's parents. He said he often joins them during family outings and recently celebrated John’s birthday with them.

"Sobrang saya. Sobrang chill lang kami doon. Parang family din talaga kami. Si Tito John pa nga, sinabi niya, 'Oh Jake, chill lang kayo diyan. Magsaya lang kayo. Huwag kayong mag-alala. Dito lang ako,'" he recalled.

Meanwhile, Inah said she is also very close to Jake's family. She shared that they recently went to Zambales together to celebrate his sister's birthday.

Inah also shared one of the most important pieces of advice she received from her mother about choosing a partner.

"What my parents, especially my mom, told me was, 'Kung pipili ka ng partner, magiging husband mo or boyfriend mo, dapat piliin mo iyong lalaking sobrang mahal ang pamilya niya.'"

For Inah, that's one of the qualities she sees in Jake. "Ganun kasi si Jake."