Celebrity couple Aga Muhlach and Charlene Gonzalez-Muhlach have adjusted to the scenario of living together without their twins - Atasha and Andres - who are currently studying abroad.
During a Zoom with the entertainment press for his latest show "Bida Kayo Kay Aga" on Net25 last March 3, Aga said it was an easy decision for him and his wife to allow their kids to study abroad and live independently.
"Honestly, hindi naging mahirap sa amin ni Charlene na umalis yung mga anak namin at mag-aral abroad dahil mula ng nag-asawa kami, pinag-uusapan na namin yan na at the end of the day, tayong dalawa ang magkasama talaga.
"Ang mga anak natin ay nilikha natin, nilikha ng Panginoon. Yet ang anak natin, paglaki nila, mag-aasawa yan, iiwan din tayo, magkakapamilya rin sila. Ang importante tayong dalawa ang magkasama. Nasanay na kami na ganun. At the same time, napakaganda na rin ng mga nangyayari ngayon dahil sa social media, puwede na kayong magusap araw-araw, with all these apps, para magkita kita kayo at mag-usap-usap kayo.
"Kesa naman nakakulong sila dito, at least doon nakakagala sila. Pangalawa, masaya rin kami dahil alam namin yung mga anak namin ay nagiging independent dahil sila lang ang naroroon. Natuto silang magluto magisa, mag-ayos ng kuwarto nila, mag-ayos ng gamit nila, magbudget ng pera. Lahat. So habang nangyayari yan, alam namin mahirap sa kanila sa umpisa, pero alam namin na yun ay sa ikabubuti nila. Nagiging responsable ang mga anak namin," said Aga.
Andres goes to college in Spain, while Atasha studies in the United Kingdom. Both are 20-years-old.
Fans of Aga and Charlene believe that their kids - blessed with good looks - have what it takes to be in show business. Aga said he wanted his kids to finish school before joining the industry he loves.
"I just wanted them to finish college because gusto ko silang magdecision (sa buhay). Sila ang magdesisyon kung gusto nilang pumasok sa entertainment industry. Hindi manggagaling sa akin or sa public. Parang ngayon, napupusuan na ng anak kong babae, nagugustuhan niya talaga. So sabi ko,'you only have one-year-and-a-half to finish college. Pagkabalik nila, it's really up to them. I will introduce you to some people I know who can manage you. So go ahead, it's your call. Hindi talaga ako makikialam sa gusto nila. Even with my son Andres," said the former matinée idol.
Aga said he and Charlene are proud of their children, who are both behave and kind.
"I always tell them, be slow to react and always treat people with kindess and respect. Always, no matter what. Be slow to react, meaning alisin natin 'yung anger. These days, people are so reactionary in social media. I don't think it's nice. That's why my kids are quiet and behave. So be kind pero huwag basta-basta magtitiwala. Hindi ibig sabihin na hindi tayo magtitiwala, masama na ang pakikitungo sa atin. Ibig ko lang sabihin is puwede kang maging mabait palagi pero huwag mong ibibigay lahat ng tiwala mo," he said.
At the height of the pandemic, Aga revealed that all of them were infected by the deadly virus. "It started with Andres, which he got in Spain. Then nahawa na kami lahat. We all tried to be careful, but unfortunately, we all got it."
"Hopefully, at some point, everything will return to normal. We know that Covid is still there. Mag-ingat na lang tayong lahat," the award-winning actor said.
Aga, 52, said he misses doing movies a lot. But he promises his fans for a comeback soon.
"I will do a movie again, but it has to be special, and it has to be at the right time na hindi na talaga takot pumasok ang mga tao sa sinehan. Saka tayo gagawa ng pelikula. Right now, the challenge is marami ang makapanood sa Net25. Hindi lang sa show ko kundi lahat ng show ng Net25," Aga also said.
Aga also clarified rumors that he is being "pirated" by his good friend, television host Willie Revillame, to join him in another network.
"Wala namang issue roon. Willie and I are good friends. Right now, I am focused and happy with Net25. As long as they like me, then I will remain. That I can say. Masaya sila sa akin, masaya ako sa kanila. Lahat naman ng request ko binibigay naman nila. So in terms of other stations, priority ko ang Net25. Siguro kung magkakaroon ng show sa other stations, magpapa-alam ako sa kanila. 'Yun ang delicadeza na meron ako simula't sapul."
Aga is set to host an upcoming feel-good reality program entitled "Bida Kayo Kay Aga" on Net25, which will be shown on March 26 at 7 p.m. after "Responde." He also hosts a game show on the same network "Tara Game, Agad Agad!" which airs every Sunday at 7 p.m.
"Bida Kayo Kay Aga' features ordinary people and personalities who inspire the world with their activities and acts of kindness.
On the challenges of being a magazine host, Aga said: "My challenge here is to make my producers happy. Sa akin mas gusto ko talagang maging visible sa masa kasi sa pelikula, marami ng tao na hindi nakakapanood ng pelikula, hindi nakakabayad, or nakabalik dahil sa kahirapan. Sa TV, being with the masses, nakikita mo yung tuwa at saya on-the-spot habang nangyayari yung eksena. Ang preparation ko lang talaga rito ay bigyan ng oras ang aking trabaho. Inuumpisahan ko uli ang maging active sa socal media para maka-reach out kami sa maraminig tao."
Some of the people who will be featured in the show include the OOHDs or Out-of-Home-Daddies who, despite their busy schedules, take time out to be adventurous and sporty through biking, surfing, hiking, etc.
There are also the Daddy D-I-Y or dads who act as carpenter, plumber, and painter of their homes, while Daddy Foodie will feature fathers who love to cook.
The DAD’s Entertainment portion will showcase people are personalities who are into plants, collectors of pop culture items, play the musical instruments, and a lot more. Also the Digital Dads or “dadfluencers” who get busy with their interesting social media accounts.
The Bida Boss will present rags-to-riches personalities. In Bida Sa Life, this segment will showcase people who were given the opportunities to change their lives for the better; and Bida Best will show the “random acts of kindness."
“Kayo ang hero talaga, saludo ako sa inyo. Gusto ko silang makausap; sa hirap ng dinadaanan mo sa buhay, ano ang nasa puso mo para tumulong pa rin sa tao?” Aga said.