Karel Marquez on being a mom

(photo courtesy of Karel’s Twitter account: @iamkarelmarquez) With her fresh face and bubbly personality, it is sometimes surprising to know that Karel Marquez is already a mom. “Dalawa kasi sila, isang 4 years old, isang 3. Yung 4-year old ko mag-aaral pa lang, pero nagplayschool na sila. Girl and boy, si Keiley and Kyler. Maaga kasi akong nag-asawa. Malaking gap yung age namin. Tapos maaga din akong nagka-anak,” she shared. For my Children Karel explains how she balances her time with kids despite her busy schedule. “Naku, gagawin ko ang lahat para sa kanila, parang si Evelyn (ng My Husband’s Lover) din talaga. Although si Evelyn pasaway eh, nagquit na ng trabaho. Workaholic ako.” With her schedule of taping thrice a week, which sometimes extends to a whole day, she wants to squeeze some time to be with her kids. “I make it a point talaga na, kahit 5AM na, puyat na ako, pinapatulog ko sila sa kwarto ko para pagpunta ko dun, andun pa sila, tulog pa sila,” she said. "'Pag gigising na sila, magbe-breakfast na sila. Matutulog lang ako ng saglit para may time na ako for the whole day with them. So at least, nakakatabi ko sila. Tapos pag hindi busy, kunwari maaga yung pack-up ko, so the next day may time kami na lumabas, we do normal bonding.” As a mom, she finds inspiration in her children. “Yung trabaho ko ngayon, kaya ginagawa ko talaga yung best ko. As a support character, para talaga sa kanila yun. Ito din yung passion ko kasi. Swerte ako na ito ang trabaho ko diba? Syempre nag-iipon din ako para sa mga anak ko.” Baby Face Karel Still looking young and fresh, we asked what her secret was. “Parents ko, mga 56 na ata pero mukha silang 40. Pero without the genes, importante din na mag-move on, embrace life.” She reasons out that you should still enjoy activities even if you have kids. “Hindi yung magpakalosyang ka. Hindi excuse na magiging losyang ka na porket nanay ka na. You know, you need to have this aura that you won’t give up no matter what. Kahit na may anak ako, hindi yun excuse saken na ihinto ang trabahong ito. I still have something to show diba? Dahil yun ang passion ko eh.” Admiring Jodi Sta. Maria Karel shares that she would like to try out different acting roles. “Syempre ever since yun din naman ang gusto kong maexperience diba. Refreshing din para saken yun. Hindi ko naman hangad na maging this big star. In my own way, mapansin na lang ako kung mapansin.” She then openly admits that she admires Jodi and her role versatilities. “Si Jodi, bida, kontrabida. Pwede siya maging ate, pwede siya maging asawa. Pwede siya maging pasaway na palengkera role. Diba. And may anak na siya sa totoong buhay, and that never stopped her. Yun po ang gusto kong mangyari. I think never too late naman to show kung ano talaga ang gusto kong gawin.” For other articles on your favorite Kapuso Stars, visit www.gmanetwork.com. - Sheena R. Peña, GMA Social Media Specialist