Moms and Dads

Angelia Ong: Waiting For Her Little Earthling

by Alexa Villano
December 13, 2024

Miss Earth 2015 and mom-to-be Angelia Ong shares how she and her fiancè Aaron Kemmer have been preparing for the arrival of their baby daughter

The past months have been busy for beauty queen, entrepreneur, model, and environmental advocate Angelia Ong. Aside from traveling and projects, she has been helping with friends, she and her fiancè, Aaron Kemmer, will become parents in the first quarter of 2025. The couple announced the good news in October and confirmed they are expecting a baby girl.

In an exclusive interview with Modern Parenting via email, Angelia and Aaron shared how they’ve been preparing for their baby’s arrival and the realizations in the early stages of parenthood.

Navigating the first trimester

Like parents-to-be, Angelia and Aaron had their initial worries, more so that Angelia had a little health scare in the first trimester.

“It’s been an amazing journey so far,” Angelia shared. “It’s challenging at first because I had a subchorionic hemorrhage in the second month, but I’m so happy that we’re finally out of the woods and now healthy going forward. I have to admit, we were scared (and we still are) but now it’s a good kind of scared mixed with so much excitement.”

Aaron, on the other hand, is excited and nervous. “We’re both looking forward to starting our family, maybe a bit nervous, but that’s normal. I’m trying to maximize every moment before the baby comes with either work, travel, or, if we can, sleep.”

As an expecting mom, Angelia has experienced the changes in her body and has taken things in stride. ” It helps a lot that I have a lot of friends who’s either gone through a pregnancy and even currently pregnant like me and so I had a lot of support and advice on how to adjust and handle the changes since it is my first time. It’s a whole new experience and I’m learning so much. Going through the pregnancy has given me more respect towards my mom and all the moms I know. It’s not easy but I heard it’s always worth it.”

She said the mood swings are still there, but manageable, joking that she has gotten extra hungry, emotional, and irritated at times.

Her situation has given Aaron a different meaning to his mom.” I have so much respect for her and all mothers out there for what they have to go through. I’ve become even extra thankful for my mom for what she had to do to bring me into this world.”

Photo from missearth.angelia and goal_diggi Instagram

Enjoying their moment as a couple

As a couple that travels, have they set their sight where to settle once the baby is out? Angelia beamed about the prospects.

” Traveling has always been part of our relationship,” she said. “Aside from our work taking us places, we’ve always loved exploring new cities/countries together. We just finished our baby moon and anniversary in Europe and Egypt where we also thoroughly planned the next next steps until our baby arrives.”

“We do have a couple of options in mind, but we haven’t come up with [a]final location where we’d welcome our little angel.”

Aaron echoed his fiancee’s statement. ” We love to travel and can’t wait to start traveling as a family. We’re currently still deciding where to settle down soon.”

The pregnancy also gave them new perspectives, and now that they are months away from welcoming a little earthling, they have learned things about themselves.

” This pregnancy has taught me how resilient a woman is and how amazing what our bodies can do,” Angelia mused. “I learned a lot about myself and just solidified how much I’ve always wanted to be a mother.”

Admitting she had her eggs frozen to give birth one day, Angelia explained she was surprised when she first found out she got pregnant. “This gift of life is a beautiful surprise conceived naturally. And now that that dream is so close, it really makes me see life differently. My baby is already bringing so much joy and comfort especially after Aaron and I lost our dads last April. I’m now realizing how much love one can posses even before meeting my little one. It’s unconditional and overflowing.”

Aaron has been working on patience. ” I’m especially [need to] when she’s had a rough moment in the pregnancy. Back scratches go a long way,” he laughed.

The journey to parenthood

The past months have been a whirlwind for the couple, but their respective families have been helping them make adjustments. Angelia shared that both their families have been on stand by for their needs.

” Aaron’s family is in the US and we have a family channel where we update them of the weekly fruit size my baby is in and of course the ultrasounds and doctor visits that we’ve been on,” Angelia shared. “My mom has been so kind to take care of me on my most vulnerable state and have cooked all of my cravings. And my brother has been extra patient with my tantrums whenever I ask him to do my errands for me. I do love the part of how I’ve become closer to our pets especially my cat, Cloud. She was the first to sense my pregnancy and they’ve given me so much comfort especially when I had to be in bed rest for 3 weeks.”

Aaron said they’re on the road for now but are glad to have some tips from his brother, who is a dad. “My little bro is a girl dad himself. He’s been very helpful [with us].”

Speaking of tips and advice, what have they learned so far from their friends who are parents? Aaron chuckled. “Get as much sleep as I can before the baby comes out.”

Angelia smiled. ” Having friends that are pregnant at the same time has made me appreciate and navigate the pregnancy with more confidence. It’s comforting to know that they’ve already went through the things I’m about to go through and that there’s always a solution or an explanation when things get confusing for me.”

She added that her best friend had sent books about preparations, including postpartum. “There’s a lot of patience required, but whatever discomfort I feel, it’s good to know that it’s only temporary and the reward of bringing new life into this world makes it worth it.”

The adventure awaits

As the baby bump emerges into its next stage, Angelia and Aaron are looking forward to the day their daughter arrives. One thing’s for sure – the little earthling will have the values and upbringing of two cultures.

“Both my parents have sacrificed and loved me in their own ways,” Angelia explained. “My mom worked hard as a single parent to provide and equip us with skills and education that have shaped me into the person I am today. My dad on the other hand has taught me how to dream bigger than usual. But together they’ve always reminded me that I am more than enough and capable to live a life of happiness and greatness. They’ve taught me to be God-fearing and always be kind. I carry that with me always and I intend to pass that on to my child.”

Aaron added: ” Hard work, fast work, and getting things done. And no matter what you do in life, make sure you love it. You only get 28,000 days, so make them count. Dream big, be kind, and always be truthful.”

One can never be prepared, but both are ready for the adventure that awaits. ” I’m not sure how ready I am skill-wise yet, but emotionally I’m sure I am. This is an uncharted territory for us, but I’m glad and very blessed to have the best partner one could ask for in this new chapter.”

” It’s gonna be a fun ride. We got this! ” Aaron grinned.