Actress, model, and TV personality Phoemela Baranda just welcomed her first child with her partner, race car driver Jason Choachuy, this morning of March 5, 2021! The pair announced the joyous news on her Instagram hours ago, along with a photo of Jason kissing Phoemela on the cheek right after she had given birth.
“Thank you for all the prayers & well wishers. Delivery went very smoothly, we’re safe & healthy,” her IG caption read. “I got the best team of @martinpmanahanmd, from first month of my pregnancy till the delivery and @romeonuguidmd Thank you! Beyond happy with you by my side @jason_choa. Most of all thank you Lord for a beautiful, healthy baby. I am forever grateful”
Illya, whose name Phoemela revealed through a series of photos taken during her baby shower, is the actress’ second child. Kim Nichole Baranda, her first baby girl, was conceived when she was just 19 years old. “I've always wanted another child, and my partner [wanted one] as well—it’s his first,” Phoemela told Preview, admitting that her pregnancy, at the glowing age of 40, was perfectly planned. “I’m blessed to be in good health, we have more time at home, and I found the right person,” she continued.
Speaking of Kim, now a college student at 21, the newly minted older sister couldn’t be happier for her mother. “I know a lot of things are going to change, but I’m happy for my mom because this is such a big blessing for us to have an addition to our family since it’s always just been the two of us,” she expressed in an interview with Preview.
Congratulations, Phoemela, Jason, and Kim!
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