For Candy Pangilinan, who became a solo parent when her son, Quentin, was barely one month old and who would later be diagnosed with autism and ADHD, she chooses to count her blessings.
In an interview with Camille Prats on her YouTube channel segment #CamCookWithMe, the mom-comedienne shared how starting a vlog just right before the Covid-19 pandemic started opened up a whole lot of opportunities and learnings for her and her son.
On starting a vlog with Quentin
At first, she was filled with hesitations about what people would think about their vlog, but she finally took the leap and try.
"Your burden today can be your blessing tomorrow."
"Sabi ng spiritual mentor ko, isipin mo masaya lang. You just want to send them good vibes, and just do it with your son. That will help Quentin also boost his confidence, matututo siya gumamit ng mga gadgets ng tama."
She added, "Dun ko narealize madami pala siyang sabihin, tapos meron siyang comic timing."
Their YouTube channel now has more than 1.2M subscribers. Watch their very first vlog here.
More importantly, she shared how vlogging also helps her in their advocacy to promote autism awareness and inclusion.
"Sabi ko nga, every child is special. Differently abled or not, I think every child is special. Kasi every child has a special need. When you know a child who has autism or ADHD, it doesn't mean that you know every child that has autism or ADHD. Ganun din sa mga normal na bata. But all of them need the same kind of love and affection."
READ ALSO: 7 Filipino Celebrity Parents With Children On The Autism Spectrum Disorder
On finding the good in the bad
Candy believes that we always have to look for the blessing amid the struggles that come our way.
"Your burden today can be your blessing tomorrow. It is actually maybe your saving grace. Maybe kung si Quentin is a normal child, baka ngayon gumi-gimmick pa din ako gabi gabi, di natin alam."
She added, "Maybe I didn't evolve also, kasi nag-evolve ako eh, bilang tao, bilang Candy. Pati yung jokes ko nagevolve, everything nag-evolve, nag-iba."
"Sometimes the burdens are there not because God wants you to suffer or to punish you, maybe He just wants you to be a better person, chastises you to be the best that you can be."
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On falling in love again
When asked how she feels about finding love again, she said she already opened up the topic to Quentin, to which he said, "O-hindi." Candy explained, "Half-half, siguro depende, kung type niya."
She said she already introduced friends to Quentin, but love life is not in her priorities for now. "Siguro dahil busy din ako. Unfair din also for the other party, ang dami kong ginagawa eh."
Message to solo parents
Meanwhile, Candy has this to say to solo parents who are going through unique struggles, just like her.
"Chill. Relax lang. 'Wag niyo masyado pabigatin ang buhay, 'wag niyo masyado dramahan. 'Wag niyo masyado gawing drama ang buhay. Let's simplify our lives. Life is good. Life is super good. The mere fact that you're alive. Marami tayong bagay na pinagdarasal na di binibigay ni Lord, pero marami din tayong bagay na hindi pinagdasal, pero binigay niya.
"There are so many things that we asked for, but God provided for us. Be grateful for your every day because you are so much blessed. No matter kung ano po ang pinagdadaanan niyo, there's always a blessing."
She added, "Baka nakakalimutan lang natin mag-thank you."
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