Now more than ever, Zoren Legaspi and Carmina Villarroel know how important it is to be prepared.
This is especially true when it comes to their finances, as millions struggle with unemployment during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 48-year-old actor tells PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) in a recent digicon via Zoom, “Siyempre, bilang padre de familia, hindi mo hihintayin na magkaroon ng pandemic. So whether there’s pandemic or none, dapat palagi kang prepared.
“So, ang situation namin, na-prepare ko iyong family in a sense of, kung ano man iyong kinita namin sa mga commercials, it was invested and it was saved. Hindi siya ginastos ng kung anu-ano.”
"NAKA-PREPARE TAYO"
Unlike other celebrities who own multiple properties in posh subdivisions, Zoren and Carmina have been living in the same house since twins Cassy and Mavy Legaspi were seven years old. The twins are now 18.
Zoren says, “Wala naman kaming planong lumipat sa mga first class na subdivisions or first-class condominiums. In order to save money.
“Ang akin lang, ang foresight ko doon, to save up, at kung meron man mangyari, somehow, hindi ka magwu-worry, you have enough time to recover.
“E, biglang nagkaroon nitong pandemic. It’s only been five months, so, ayun... like I’ve said, sabi ko kay Mina [Carmina's nickname], 'Huwag kang mag-alala, naka-prepare naman tayo diyan.'"
What if it gets extended to, say, 2021?
Zoren reveals his back-up plan.
“If ever na mag-prolong itong pandemic na ito at umabot ng year 2021, we can sell Mavy first.
"Siyempre, mauubos ang pera noon, ibebenta mo na si Cassy,” the dad of twins jokes.
BASIC LIFESTYLE
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the Legaspis were busy with their respective shows in the Kapuso network.
In particular, Mavy, Cassy, and Carmina were busy hosting Sarap 'Di Ba?
They have continued filming the show from home during quarantine, so fans enjoy fresh episodes of Sarap 'Di Ba? Bahay Edition every Saturday morning.
They have always been a close-knit family, so spending more time together during the past five months of quarantine is nothing new to them.
What are their realizations during this pandemic?
Zoren replies with a laugh, “Realization? Alam niyo naman ako, wala naman akong mga ganyan.
“Pero kasi ako, I believe in basic lifestyle. Kaya hindi ako masyadong nasa-shock kapag may mga kalamidad or, right now, may pandemya na nangyari sa atin.
“Kumbaga sa boy scout or sundalo, parang I’m always prepared sa battle. Ang isa lang na na-realize ko, although iyong business ko before, nag-build and sell ako, and then si Mina wanted to go to a restaurant business, mga franchise, iyon ang gusto niya.”
They realize that it was a good thing they did not push through with those business plans.
Zoren relates, “Sabi ko nga, 'Mabuti na lang, Hon, hindi tayo nag-franchise. Otherwise, ano ang mangyayari?'
“Kasi, sometimes, iyong twenty years na negosyo, twenty years mong pinaghirapan, in a span of four months, naba-bankrupt.
“Doon ko na-realize na, 'Thank you Lord, ha, hindi mo ako pinush sa mga negosyo.' Ako kasi, although I know iyong takbuhin ng construction, pero iyong puso ko kasi, nasa producing of movies. Kaya, ayun ang mga talagang gusto ko.”
For her part, Carmina says the pandemic has taught her not to take the little things for granted.
She says, “Huwag i-take for granted. Huwag abusuhin yung mga simple joys.
“When I say simple joys, like going out of your house. Like going to the park, going to the mall or ito, ha, simpleng pagpunta lang sa manikurista mo.
“Aminin niyo iyan, itong five months na lockdown, namiss natin ang mga manicurista natin, hair colorist natin, hairstylist natin, mga barbero natin. Huwag natin silang ite-take for granted.”
She adds, “Ako kasi, ayun lang naman ang kaligayahan ko sa buhay. I’m a homebody. Lumalabas lang ako kapag kailangan ko lang magpa-manicure, magpa-derma, magpagupit lang, ayun ang realization ko, na in a snap, nawala silang lahat."
She also realizes the importance of spending time with family.
“And second [realization] ko, iyong time mo with your family. I’m not saying our family, but my dad, my siblings, iyong mother-in-law ko, mga kapatid niya, my gosh, hindi kami nagkita! Five months because of the lockdown.
“Iyon ang mga huwag mong i-take for granted. Kaya nga kapag may oras, gawin mo na. You’ll never know. Kasi nga, baka hindi niyo na magawa."
Of course, just like Zoren, being financially prepared makes this period bearable for her.
“And magtipid... mag-save talaga for the future,” she says.
Carmina is thankful that this is something Zoren does for the family.
The 44-year-old actress asserts, “Siya talaga, ang sine-secure ang future namin.
“Oo, alam naman nating lahat iyan. Pero iyong iba kasi, sinasabi lang, pero hindi ginagawa.
“Thankful ako dahil si Zoren, talagang ganyan. Hindi siya naghintay na magkaroon ng kalamidad, pandemya para lang mag-save up."
Carmina has this message for their fans: “So, ito talaga, lesson learned sa ating lahat ito.
“Don’t take for granted your health, iyong mga finances mo. Kahit sinasabi mong 'Kumikita ako, ang dami kong raket,' always save.”