Making a lively home, the Laurel way
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Living in lockdown for months has drastically changed our way of life. Gone are the days when we could spend our days outdoors, travel, and eat out. For families with children at home, this is an unprecedented event.
It can all start to feel a little dull if you have lots of free time to spare but little to do. Keeping the little ones preoccupied is quite the challenge, especially in the absence of playdates, children's parties, and their usual hobbies and activities.
But for the family of award-winning actor, singer, writer, and proud family man Franco Laurel, the lockdown was an opportunity to spend time with wife Ayen, and kids Sofia, and Lucia. In a three-minute Instagram video titled Rediscover Home with the Laurel Family, Franco gives us a glimpse of what it’s like to live in a house with young children and what the family does to keep things productive and interesting.
“Living in our ‘new normal’ for eight months has brought so many changes and challenges in our lives. But there is one thing @ayenlaurel21 and I are committed to and that is raising our children in a healthy, loving, caring and fun environment. We give you a day in a life with our daughters Sofia and Lucia as we share with you all how we got to rediscover our home the Laurel way. A huge factor in making our 'new normal' work is that, at the end of the day, whether for learning or for family bonding, our @pldthome Fibr gives us the best internet experience,” Franco captions in the post.
Happy and bubbly, all day and every day
The Laurels begin their day with Sofia and Lucia waking up at 7:30 a.m. After fixing their beds, they sit down for a healthy breakfast. Of course, prayers come first before meals. Afterwards, they get ready for online school. Franco and Ayen make sure to spend some quality playtime with their little girls through playing, singing and dancing together, even gardening. Of course, there’s always 'Lambing Time' as a form of family bonding.
To end the day, the Laurels wrap up with one of their favorite activities yet, Watch Time. All four sit down to watch their favorite TV shows and movies online. “This is one of the routines that we have, make the kids relax by watching their favorite kiddie shows. This is a very limited time when they watch their shows online, especially when they have school,” he adds.
Enjoying life at home
Meanwhile, in his blog, Franco also talks about how the family takes advantage of the extended quarantine as a learning moment to follow their individual creative pursuits. With his kids, Mariella, Angia, Sofia, Lucia, and Hasan Jefri, whose ages range from two to 29 years old, Franco says there are a lot of things keeping them busy these days.
PLDT Home Fibr plays a huge part in both family bonding and personal alone time, which, as Franco says, each member of the family gets and spends engaging in creative endeavors.
“Ayen makes sure to spend a quiet time for praying and watching the news. My kids also enjoy their time learning new things. Mariella is a director and an actor, so she works on her projects. My son, Hasan Jefri, does movie editing and musical scoring for his short films. Angia is so creative that she’s decided to come out with a clown series with makeup, and records her own songs. The two little ones, Sofia and Lucia, are the ones who are attached to us,” Franco shares.
After a whole day involving a healthy dose of exercise, schoolwork for the kids, prayer and alone time for everybody, the Laurels strengthen their bonds over a delicious homemade dinner.
“I have not seen my wife in the kitchen as much in the last three or four years. Now, she’s in the kitchen almost every day, experimenting. Kaya din ako workout nang workout. Bawal tumaba,” he laughs.
PLDT Home can help turn quarantine time into a worry-free family bonding time. To learn more, visit www.pldthome.com.
Editor’s Note: BrandedUp is designed to provide you with insightful, inspiring and educational content created by PhilSTAR L!fe in collaboration with brands like PLDT Home.