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Long before notebooks, uniforms, and daily schedules enter a child's life, some parents are choosing to let exploration take the lead. By giving their children the freedom to roam, play, and question, they believe learning can begin naturally through lived experience.

Among them are celebrity couple Cong Velasquez and Viy Cortez, who encourage their eldest child, Zeus Emmanuel, fondly called Kidlat, to freely explore his curiosity.

“Sa age ni Kidlat, tina-try lang namin na ma-expose siya sa pinakamaraming gawin as possible para makita namin kung saan kikinang yung mata niya, meaning ano yung bagay na gusto niyang gawin,” vlogger dad Cong after his son was introduced as a brand ambassador of Kids Learning Ville on Sunday, September 28.

He further noted, “Pa-discover mo lahat. Pakita mo sa kanya yung gitara, piano, soccer, kung anong mga activity. Doon talaga nagsisimula para mahanap mo kung ano yung mga bagay na passion niya paglaki.

“Kumbaga sa amin noong bata ako, basketball. Hanggang sa tumanda ako, dala-dala ko yung basketball na yun, e, naging So, ganun din sa kanya, kung ano yung gusto niya, susuportahan namin siya.”

Celebrity couple Viy Cortez and Cong Velasquez with their son Kidlat and the executives of Kids Learning Ville. Courtesy: Nherz Almo

Cong shared that it may take a few more years before Kidlat is ready to explore more complex things.

“Pero ngayon, tina-try ang naming ipakita sa kanya lahat ng puwedeng ma-experience ng mundong ito kahit ganito pa lang ang edad niya.

“Actually, marami pa kaso hindi pa puwede sa edad niya. Hihintayin pa namin siyang umabot ng at least six or seven. Ngayon nagta-try siyang mag-swimming, pero umiiyak lang siya sa swimming pool. Ayaw niya nang nalulublob. Ayun, at least nakikita namin na hindi siya interesado.”

For her part, Viy shared that she and Cong hope to give Kidlat the freedom to choose his own path, without feeling pressured, as he grows up.

The vlogger and entrepreneur mom said, “Ako, sa totoo lang, hindi ko muna iniisip kung magiging doktor ba 'to o vlogger. Basta ako, mabuting lang siya. Kung gusto niya maging Spider-man… Ako, wala akong, 'Gusto ko paglaki mo…' Sa akin, wala.

“Sobrang bata pa niya, ang gusto ko lang mag-enjoy siya kung saan siya masaya sa buhay niya. Nandito lang kami para suportahan siya.”

She also passed on a meaningful parenting insight from her husband, “Ang pinaka hindi ko makakalimutan kay Cong, noong buntis pa lang ako kay Kidlat, 'Paano, ano ang gagawin natin kung may iba siyang gusto?' Ang sinabi niya sa akin, 'Alam mo, yung anak mo, hindi mo pagmamay-ari. Nandiyan ka para lang i-guide. Kung ano yung gusto niya maging paglaki niya, nandiyan ka para i-guide, pero hindi para sabihin na hindi yan dapat gawin. Nandiyan ka lang to guide.'”

Viy then reiterated, “Basta ako, susuporta ako kung anuman ang gusto niyang maging paglaki niya.”

Related gallery: Adorable photos of Cong TV and Viy Cirtez's son, Baby Kidlat

Meanwhile, to support Kidlat's early learning journey, Cong and Viy have also enrolled their three-year-old son at Kids Learning Ville, giving him more opportunities to explore his interests in a fun and nurturing environment.

Cong explained, “Ang pinakaimportanteng part is ma-ready yung basic na knowledge na puwede sa bahay papunta sa transition nila sa school. Kasi, si Kidlat, three na siya. So, [pagdating ng] four, mag-i-school na siya.

“Hindi naman yung pag-aaral sa bahay ay ibig sabihin to replace talaga yung pag-aaral sa school. Kung nakita n'yo, pagpasok kanina, nahihiya pa rin siya. Something yun na ide-develop pa rin niya and yun yung matututuhan niya sa school.

“With Kids Learning Ville, nandun naman yung tools, yung konting bagay na puwede niyang makuha para pagpasok niya [sa school] ready na siya. Para may idea na siya na kapag pumasok siya sa school, may reading, may writing, yung consent ng teacher, may assignments, may activities. Yun yung mga importanteng part.”

Related gallery: Celebrity parents who homeschool their kids

“On the other hand, Viy also expressed gratitude to their household helpers, affectionately called Kidlat's “mamas,” for the love and care they give in helping raise their child.

“Ako, siguro, malaking tulong yung mga mama ni Kidlat. Kaya nga ang tawag niya sa mga nag-aalaga sa kanya ay mama, e. Kasi, alam ko na hindi lang kaming mag-asawa yung nagpalaki, kundi yung mga mama rin niya sa bahay. Kasi, hindi namin magagawa yung kanya-kanya naming mga trabaho nang wala sila,” she said.

In conclusion, Cong and Viy promised to always devote their time and presence to guiding Kidlat as he continues his learning journey, while also preparing to nurture the same love, support, and freedom for their younger child, Kiyo.

“Suwerte kami. Hindi lahat kaparehas ng trabaho namin. Kaya nabibigyan namin ng time na matutukan yung mga bagay na matututunan niya, lalo na ngayon sa early stage ng buhay niya,” he said.

Related gallery: Cong TV and Baby Kidlat's father-and-son moments