MOTHERHOOD is definitely one tough job.
As you wear different hats during different situations, there are instances when you need to be in different persona at the same time.
How does Joanna Lizares-Co manage being a yoga instructor, doting wife, and a hands-on mom all at the same time?
A native of Cebu City, 46-year-old Joanna had to move to Davao City in 2002 as she fell in love and got married with Dabawenyo businessman Zosimo Co.
“I moved to Davao in 2002 and when I went home to Cebu, my time centered on my dad. Whenever my dad asked me to come home, I was there right away," the superwoman recalled.
Being an undeniably loving daughter, she promised her siblings that she would continue to visit their hometown even after her father's death.
As she settled here, a place she described as "laid back" compared to the Queen City of the South, Joanna admitted that it is something she loves about Davao City, especially that she is enjoying life here with her husband and her daughters, 12-year-old Gianna Simone and nine-year-old Simmina Christina.
"It wasn’t so bad. I’m a homebody and my husband Sim made it quite easier. He had a lovely home and saw to it we would enjoy what Davao had to offer," she said. "My happy place is with my two girls and my husband."
Talking about her daughters, Joanna said that despite her hectic schedule as a yoga instructor, she makes sure that none of her responsibilities suffer.
"I’m up at 5 a.m. Monday to Saturdays since my first yoga class is at 7 a.m. Some time after, I check if my girls are up for school. I teach three to four yoga classes spread out in the day so I get to go home in between classes or do my chores," she narrated.
Apart from this, Joanna also pointed out that spending quality time with her family is a must. This means that no matter how demanding her career has become, she ensures that she gets to bond with her girls and her husband regularly. In fact, they travel together at least once a year.
"Dinnertime is with my husband and kids, where we talk about anything. I cap off the day reading. At around 10 p.m., I’m asleep," she said.
"Weekends are with my girls and they have all my attention. We play board games, do arts and crafts, go to the mall, watch movies, and eat," Joanna said.
"We get to be more adventurous only when Sim and I travel on our own,” she added.
Considering the super tasks she needs to fulfill daily, how does she complement these with fashion? Which style does she follow?
A self-confessed Marks and Spencer lover, Joanna shared that the clothing brand's designs suit her needs.
"You won’t find me jumping on the latest fashion just because it’s the trend. I have to like it a lot and be comfortable in it for me to wear," she said.
She admitted that shoes and bags occupy the most space in her closet, along with stretch pants, white shirts, cardigans, day dresses, sleeveless tops, scarves, and shawls.
When asked about the fashion pieces that every supermom must have in her closet, Joanna said that it should contain a white cotton button-down shirt, a little black dress, dark denim jeans, white shorts, knit tops, black pants, printed day dress, plain sheath dress, blazer, black pumps, neutral ballet flats, metallic evening shoes, scarves, and black tote.
To be as fashionable yet laid back as Joanna, Marks and Spencer has the right fashion staple for the working mom. In Davao City, they are located at Abreeza Mall and SM Lanang Premier.
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