Maricel Laxa-Pangilinan is not just meticulous about her work in front of the camera, but as her husband of 17 years Anthony Pangilinan reveals to Working Mom Magazine, Maricel is also conscious about her duties to her family. “She’s always conscious about areas of improvement, always looking forward to better ways of doing things, of being a better mom, and being a more intimate couple,” said Anthony about Maricel who is on the cover of Working Mom together with their children.

In her exclusive interview with the magazine, Maricel has found a new bonding activity with her family.  Now she and Anthony and their four children—Ella, Donny, Benjamin, and Hannah—train six days a week in preparation for triathlon competition.  According to Maricel, it was her husband who influenced her two years ago to do a triathlon. Anthony has been into the sport for a long time already, while Maricel has been into swimming since her high school days.  But every time Anthony run together with their children, Maricel is left on the sideline. “I found myself carrying their stuff, being their photographer, and I got tired of it because I knew I could also do those things.  ‘Yun na ‘yun, I got hooked.”

While many perceive mothers to be tied only to domestic duties, Maricel considers being into sports and physical activities a good thing. “I don’t see being tough as a negative thing.  You need to be strong to be able to pull yourself together, survive having four children in five years, and a busy husband who travels a lot – just keeping up with his fast paced life, making sure that all of us are included in his life.”

Read Maricel’s full interview on the latest issue of Working Mom now available in newsstands.  She also makes a special appearance in the upcoming comedy-fantasy series Kokey @ Ako.