In case you missed it, actor and host Robi Domingo recently shared an emotional two-part video for his 35th birthday celebration. It drew mixed reactions from netizens, prompting the actor’s wife, Maiqui Pineda, to share her story. Here’s everything that went down.

Robi’s birthday wish

In the two-part video, the host shared one of his five-year plans: “To be a better house-band and husband, and hopefully next year, when the Lord permits it and when her condition permits it, depending on the clearance of the doctor, I hope to introduce you to a baby Robi as well or baby Maiqui or why not twins, him her.”

While preparing for their wedding last August 2023, Maiqui Pineda was diagnosed with dermatomyositis, a rare autoimmune disease that causes muscle weakness and inflammation.

His birthday wish this year is for his wife’s sickness to be gone.

While their supporters cheered for the birthday boy, some called Robi “insensitive” towards his wife for “add[ing] pressure.”

“Ang lungkot lang malaman na gusting-gusto niya na maging tatay pero hindi pa nangyayari. On the other hand, he shouldn’t add pressure to his wife lalo na’t meron itong pinagdadaanan,” an X (formerly Twitter) user wrote.

“Ramdam ko si Robi. Pero this is painful to read sa part ng wife. Surely sisisihin niya sarili niya,” another wrote.

But Maiqui says otherwise.

Maiqui’s Q&A for their supporters

Maiqui posted a Q&A prompt on her Instagram story asking followers to send in questions while she waits in the hospital. “Robi and I didn’t expect the overwhelming response that his birthday post received. Saw a lot of different perspectives but I’m just here to freely message if there are any questions about it,” Maiqui wrote.

Maiqui doesn’t feel the pressure to get pregnant

“Don’t worry, there’s really no pressure at all. No one has made me feel that way. But I know what I want, so I’m just doing what I can to hopefully make that happen one day,” she wrote.

She also attached a photo of their dog, which she called her baby.

“No issues at all”

When asked how she felt about the post, Maiqui said she had no issues. “I’ve openly mentioned it here before but he has a bigger reach,” Maiqui wrote. “It’s both our goals, our plans, and our wishes but we acknowledge the reality of things and have chosen to trust in God’s plans and timings instead. But we are hopeful! Just have to wait a bit and so some work for now.”

“It’s my plan too”

“As a wife, do you feel pressured when your husband said, ‘I should’ve been a father already at this point’?” asked one of their supporters.

Just like other couples who communicate well with each other, Maiqui clarified that Robi’s plans are her plans, too. “I do not feel pressured by him or by anyone. It was my plan, too, because I know it’s what I want. And that’s what I’m working towards. Maybe I should write about my pregnancy planning too,” answered Maiqui.

Supporters cheer for the couple

“I’m having some birthday blues, some people say it’s time na nararamdaman mo nang ‘okay tumatanda ka na’ but also it’s a time na puwede kang mag-reflect sa buhay mo and that’s what I am gonna do right now,” the actor opened in his video.

Despite the initial backlash, supporters cheered the host and wished for his wife’s health.

“He shared lang naman sa mga supporters niya nuthin wrong – if that’s his way to cope let him be,” one user on X (formerly Twitter) wrote.

“Happiest birthday po. How I wish mabigay ni God ang mga hinihiling mo dahil mabuti kang tao. God bless po,” one Instagram user commented.

“I’m 35, and I feel so alive!” Robi cheerfully exclaimed after allowing himself to be vulnerable and sharing one of his deepest desires.

“Robi Domingo’s birthday message is a beautiful reminder that life doesn’t always go as planned, but hope keeps us moving forward,” one X (formerly Twitter) user wrote.

The couple happily celebrated Robi’s birthday, with Maiqui sharing a photo from their simple celebration. “ILYSM, Robi. It’s been the best being married to you. Not a day goes by without us laughing together,” she wrote.

Follow Maiqui’s journey

Maqui writes a blog documenting her journey with her autoimmune disease, creating a safe space for people battling similar illnesses.

“For the full story of what happened, I created a blog to help document my own personal progress and for anyone who may need it one day,” she shared.

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