Four of a kind: Batangas father’s adorable struggle with identical quadruplets goes viral
MANILA — A father’s hilarious struggle to tell his identical 5-week-old quadruplet daughters apart has captured the hearts of over 22 million viewers online, turning the young family into a viral sensation.
Mark Edrian Sanchez, 29, and his partner, April Mercado, 31, welcomed their four baby girls—Aria Irene, Briella, Camila, and Dahlia—five weeks ago in Barangay Balitoc, Calatagan, Batangas.
In the now-viral Facebook video, Mark Edrian can be seen comically scratching his head and mixing up the identical infants — a daily struggle for the doting dad.
“Since identical po sila kaya same po talaga halos mga mukha nila kaya hirap po si daddy na makabisado,” Mercado shared in an interview with ABS-CBN News. “Ako po bilang mommy nila at mas hands on sa kanila mas nakikita ko po yung pagkakaiba ng mga mukha nila kaya natandaan ko na po sila.”
Before focusing on her growing family, Mercado managed “Amara’s Home Salon,” a small business set up in her grandmother’s former home. However, due to relocation for a more spacious living arrangement, she had to leave the location behind.
Meanwhile, Mark Edrian works as a Resort Officer-in-Charge (OIC) in Calatagan. They also have an older daughter, 5-year-old Amara.
Raising quadruplets, the couple admits, is both a massive blessing and an immense challenge.
“Masaya na mahirap, masaya kasi ang dami nila at ang cu-cute nila pagmasdan, mahirap dahil andun yung times 4 na pagod at gastos,” Mercado said. “Hindi po talaga namin inaasahan na magkakaroon kami ng anak na quadruplets. Medyo malalayong side ng kamag-anak po ang may twins.”
Keeping up with four babies has also placed a heavy strain on their household expenses. A pack of 60 diapers barely lasts a single day, and formula milk costs continue to rise. Fortunately, help has come from unexpected places through social media.
“Nagpapasalamat po kami sa mga followers na natutuwa sa quadruplets dahil kahit hindi namin sila kakilala o kamag-anak ay hindi sila nagdadalawang-isip na magpaabot ng tulong para sa mga bata,” she said.
Mercado offered words of encouragement to couples struggling to conceive or facing parenthood challenges.
“Huwag po kayong mawawalan ng pag-asa, kung hindi man po kayo mag kaanak ngayon, ay darating din po yan sa tamang pagkakataon, ipagkakaloob po yan ng Panginoon sa inyo kung talagang ‘yan ay para po sainyo, patuloy lang po kayong magdasal dahil wala pong imposible sa Diyos,” Mercado said.
The parents say they dream of a bright future for their children, though they plan to leave career choices entirely up to the girls.
With four healthy babies completing their family, Mercado confirmed they are closing their chapter on having more children.
“Ligate na po ako, tama na po at baka mabuntis po ulit tapos apat na naman,” she said. “Sobra sobrang blessings na po itong quadruplets sa buhay namin, tangi ko lang pong hiling ay ang kalusugan ng aking mga anak at ng buong pamilya.”