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MANILA -- Kathryna Yu-Pimentel, wife of Sen. Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III, revealed Tuesday that she enjoys a close relationship with the lawmaker's children from a previous marriage.

Martin and Akio, Pimentel's children with former beauty queen Jewel May Lobaton, initially called the chef "Tita Kath," but when they saw her more often, they began calling her "Mama Kath," a development that delighted the legislator.

In their first interview as a married couple, Yu-Pimentel said she endeared herself to the senator's kids "slowly," recalling that pasta was Martin's favorite food and it was also her specialty.

She said she was surprised when the two asked her if they could call her "mama" because it was "unexpected."

Pimentel said he was lucky that his sons were "yearning for a mama" and that his bride "fit their concept of a mama" because she's "very caring."

When he proposed to her, Yu-Pimentel recalled that the senator's line over dinner was: "I think it’s time to be a family with the boys."

Asked for advice to women who are also in a relationship with a man who have kids, Yu-Pimentel offers this: "Just be yourself and be sincere. You should show them that you really love the kids na parang pagmamahal mo sa partner mo. Dadating lang din siya, spontaneous, kasi kung pilit, hindi rin magwo-work."

The two tied the knot in a civil wedding at the Coconut Palace last Thursday in a ceremony officiated by Acting Chief Justice Antonio Carpio.

• Koko Pimentel weds chef Kathryna Yu