If there's one topic that can make the shy Lucy Torres-Gomez talk nonstop, it's her unica hija Juliana.
During the media junket of her latest endorsement, which was recently held at the Annabel's Restaurant on Tomas Morato in Quezon City, Lucy said her seven-year-old daughter is growing up so fast that, as much as possible, she spends time with her.
"We bake, we cook together," said Lucy. "The activities she has with Richard are more physical, like sliding down the banister of the staircase, doing Muay Thai, pillow fight. She always says that whenever she's with her dad, they do danger. ‘Me and dad, we do danger.'"
Lucy also noticed that Juliana's interests are changing as she grows older. "She's really growing up fast because on the wall, where her bed is, I already see posters of the [Disney's] Jona's Brothers and Hannah Montana. And I tell her, ‘Juliana, you remind me of when I was a bit older than you, I had a Menudo poster.'"
The proud mom added, "She likes arts and crafts, she likes painting but she likes rocker fashion. She likes edgy fashion, like black and pink together."
Aside from the arts, Juliana, who is already in grade one, is into sports like her dad. "She likes sports, she's into football. She also takes ballroom dancing lessons. She rides her bike around the village. She's very active."
Although Juliana seemed like a shy type of girl, the 32 year-old mom said her daughter has a comic side.
"You know, Julianna, she's actually a very funny child," said Lucy. "Kakatawa 'yong sense of humor niya but she's very shy. Pinapalabas lang niya 'yong pagkakenkoy niya kapag kami lang ng daddy niya or yaya, my parents; yung close lang talaga sa kanya, 'yong best friends, 'yong family. Kapag dito [press conference], tumitiklop 'yon. Pero when she's comfortable, kenkoy talaga. Puwede siyang comedienne."
ON CHILD DISCIPLINE. For a fine mom like Lucy and a serious dad like Richard, how do they discipline their child when her "kakulitan" strikes.
A reporter asked, "Namamalo ka ba?" Lucy replied, "Palo hindi. Palo ganito lang [soft tap of her hand]. Never belt...Never belt because I remember sabi ng teacher sa school na, ‘When you use your belt to hit your child...Sinusuot mo 'yong belt so they see that's part of you. Every time they see you, kahit hindi ka galit kapag nakasuot ka ng belt na 'yon, naa-associate nila with [your actions]."
She continued, "So, the teacher recommends should you want to reprimand your child by making palo, gently lang and you use a naughty or a naughty spoon. Parang a wooden spoon na 'yon lang talaga 'yong tool na gagamitin mo daw pampalo.
"It's effective naman. Kapag medyo nagiging matigas ang ulo, I'll ask her, ‘You want a naughty spoon or a naughty stick?" [She'll answer], ‘No, mommy. No.' I don't really believe 'yong sinasaktan. I reprimand, I believe in disciplining. There are other ways naman in disciplining."
How about her husband Richard?
Lucy said, "Si Richard kasi doesn't believe in disciplining na, ‘O, basta pinagalitan kita, huwag ka na magtanong kung bakit.' He always explains to Juliana why he has to do it, why he has to ground her from watching TV."
In the end, Lucy left a reminder for the other parents. She said, "You always have to explain to the child. You cannot take them for granted because they're smarter than you think they are and they can understand."