Iza Calzado on entering her ‘stage mother era’ with daughter Deia: ‘Mama will be right here cheering her on’
Actress Iza Calzado is embracing her “stage-mother era” as she proudly cheers on her daughter, Deia Amihan, after being moved by the little girl’s recent singing performance at home.
In an Instagram post on October 25, the celebrity mom shared a video of her daughter singing “Reflection,” the Disney song from Mulan. While the actress said she was used to seeing her daughter sing and express herself, this particular performance caught her attention for a different reason.
“This little performance caught me by surprise. Not because Deia was singing and emoting (she does that quite often 😂), but because this time, I watched her tell a whole story,” Iza wrote.
The actress said that she did not direct her daughter on how to perform. Instead, Deia naturally expressed herself through her movements and emotions as she sang, even closing her eyes and placing a hand on her chest.
“From where she stood to how she moved, it was all her. No direction from me!” she added.
The moment became even more meaningful for Iza when she recognized something familiar in her daughter’s performance. She said Deia reminded her of her late father, Lito Calzado, who was a choreographer and director.
“And in that moment, I saw my father in her. His vision, his gift for storytelling, his creative spirit and his passion. It was a beautiful reminder of how parts of the people we love live on through the next generation. 🥹❤️” Iza shared.
Seeing her daughter express herself so naturally, Iza said she hopes Deia continues to nurture her creativity and find happiness in exploring her talents as she grows up.
“I hope she continues to nurture this gift, wherever life takes her. More than anything, I hope she never stops finding joy in creating, imagining, and expressing herself,” she wrote.
“Meanwhile, Mama will be right here cheering her on. Entering my stage mother era! 😂Ladies and gentlemen, our dearest Deia Amihan! ❤️,” she concluded.
Several celebrities joined Iza in celebrating Deia’s performance, writing encouraging comments on her post.
“Great job baby girl 👏,” singer Regine Velasquez wrote.
“Jusko naman!!!! Napaka cuute!!!! ❤️😍❤️😍❤️,” actress Jodi Sta. Maria commented.
“Wow! Performer! And with passion talaga! Nasa stairs lang pero may sariling blocking! She got it from you and Tito Lito! Aww👏👏❤️,” former actress Jennifer Sevilla also wrote.
Deia is Iza’s child with her husband, Ben Wintle. The actress gave birth to their daughter in 2023.
In a previous interview with PUSH ABS-CBN last May, Iza opened about how motherhood continues to shape her as a person, saying she is still learning and discovering new things about herself as she raises Deia.
“It’s a continuous discovery. Again, that I am able to love this much, and sacrifice as much as I have for Deia and the family, the Iza back then was not the same person. I’m not the same person,” she said.
“What I discovered is I am really a student of life. But even more so now. Talagang bukas na bukas ako at gustong gusto ko matuto because I want to be better for Deia and for myself, of course,” Iza maintained.