For his 35th birthday, host Robi Domingo reflected on his life and went back to what matters the most. Ultimately, he wished for the full recovery of his wife Maiqui Pineda from her rare autoimmune disease. Robi posted a two-part sitdown Reels, talking freely to his fans and followers about his plan for the next five years while making birthday noodles.
Admitting to birthday blues, he still shares his hopes. "My plan in the next five years is to be a better house-band and husband and hopefully next year when the Lord permits it and when her condition permits it, depende sa clearance ng doctors, I hope to introduce you to a baby Robi as well or baby Maiqui or why not twins—him, her.”
In 2023, Robi revealed that his wife Maiqui was suffering from dermatomyositis. "But last year was really a blow sa puso ko," notes Robi about the situation in the video. Despite all the trials on the road to healing, Robi is looking on the positive side of things. "So if ever makita ito ng anak ko, wala ka pa ngayon sa mundo, I am so ready...to give all of my love para sa iyo."
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In the second part of the video, a tearful Robi accepts that though it may not be time yet for him to have a child, he's still hopeful that it'll happen. "First things first, I want Maiqui's sickness to be gone, so that we can go back to our original plan. And that's my wish for my birthday. It is not for me anymore." He ends the video saying, "I'm 35 and I feel so alive."
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Here's a quick recap of their relationship: Robi and Maiqui knew of each other in high school, started dating in 2017, became official in August 2018, then got engaged in 2022. Months before their January 2024 nuptials, Maiqui received her devastating diagnosis that would have possibly delayed their wedding.
In an interview with ABS-CBN, Robi said that it was their wedding that gave Maiqui strength to keep going. Robi said, "We talked about it. And honestly, because of her condition, I was the one who told her baka dapat i-delay natin ng konti, kasi medyo iniisip ko na 'yung health niya. And then, siya 'yung nagsabi na ,'Don't. Give me something to hope for,' And upon hearing that, siyempre, iyak ako. 'Lalaban tayo, lalaban,'"
The Internet reacts to Robi Domingo's birthday wish
Robi's message may seem tear-jerking for some, but there are also people who thought otherwise. Some online users expressed their sentiments saying that Robi's statements didn't sit right with them.
One post on X (formerly Twitter) read, "He's so RED FLAG. his wife just recovered from autoimmune crisis. then announced on public media his wish for baby. How insensitive to his wife's feelings."
Another individual posted on social media, "These are matters you talk and keep privately. What a way to add pressure on your wife." Thecommenter's reaction to Robi's emotional birthday wish video was deemed to have put pressure on Maiqui, who is yet to be physically ready to bear a child. Maiqui is now 33 years old.
ALSO READ: Is There A 'Right' Age To Have A Baby?
While some agreed with the user's comment, some disagreed and tried to understand the whole context behind Robi's words. "Idk for me the way he said it parang hindi naman niya pine-pressure wife niya, he also used 'we' and 'our' so maybe mutual lahat ng decisions nila," one commenter said.
There's also another person giving Robi the benefit of the doubt. "Maybe let's not judge him agad?" they said. One person also defended Robi and wrote, "It's his wish na gumaling na wife niya sa autoimmune condition po. You really know the context po ba?"
Maiqui Pineda responds to backlash on Robi Domingo's birthday post
After the Internet's mixed reactions, Maiqui took to Instagram her side of the story as well. In a series of Instagram stories posted today, September 30, Maiqui did a Q&A session. One of the questions read, "How did you feel about the post?" pertaining to Robi's birthday wish post.
Maiqui got real and said that she had no issue with Robi's statements at all. She disclosed that it has always been their plan to have a family, but for now, they have to wait. Her response read, "No issues at all. I've openly mentioned it here before but he has bigger reach hehe. It's both our goals, our plans, and our wishes but we acknowledge the reality of things and have chosen to trust God's plans and timings instead. But we are hopeful! Just have to wait a bit and do some work for now."
READ MORE:
- Who Is Maiqui Pineda, Robi Domingo's Wife?
- Robi Domingo Reveals Losing His Lola On Wedding Day: 'My family didn't tell us'
- Robi Domingo Says Fiance Maiqui Pineda Wants Their Wedding To Push Through As Scheduled
Maiqui also clarified that she's not any bit pressured to have a child, contrary to how some people on the Internet perceived it after watching Robi's video. "Don't worry, there's really no pressure at all. No one has made me feel that way. But I know it's what I want so I'm just doing what I can to hopefully make that happen one day," Maiqui declared.
She even added a lighthearted photo on her IG Story saying, "For now this is my baby," and then she posted a photo of her fur baby. Hope everything goes well for you, Robi and Maiqui!
