Twins Cassy and Mavy Legaspi on pros and cons of having celebrity parents

Legaspi family (from left): Zoren, Cassy, Carmina and Mavy

While Carmina Villaroel and Zoren Legaspi make sure not to put pressure on their twins, Mavy and Cassy, when it comes to their show biz careers, the kids still can’t fully shake off the nagging feeling that they have big shoes to fill.

Cassy, who would have already started taping for her first soap opera last March if it weren’t for the Covid-19 pandemic, admitted that she was “really scared” about the new endeavor.

“It’s because I feel like it’s going to be a make or break for me. I don’t want to ruin my parents’ image!” she told the Inquirer in a recent video interview. “During the story conference, people would tell me that I have nothing to worry about because acting is in my blood,” said Cassy, who’s part of the GMA 7’s coming series “First Yaya,” which will be top-billed by Marian Rivera. “And so I was like, ‘Oh my God, wait lang!’”

Mavy, on the other hand, would rather take things one step at time. “I’m learning new things every day and my admiration for the industry continues to grow,” he said. “I’m still at the preparation stage and learning never stops.”

The 19-year-old twins signed with GMA Artist Center in 2018 and have since appeared in a couple of television shows, including the variety show “All-Out Sundays,” where they’re regulars. The siblings also cohosts the lifestyle and cooking program “Sarap ’Di Ba?” with their parents.“We’re liking it so far,” Cassy said, “It’s like combining work and play.”

Thankfully, they need not look too far for guidance.

“I’m thankful for my parents who are already here in the industry, so we have people to turn to. They know what to teach us. And since they already have a lot of experiences, they tell us stories about what it’s like working here,” related Cassy, who has childhood memories of her and Mavy being brought to the set while her parents worked.

“We’re lucky to have our parents around, because they already understand show biz’s pros and cons,” Mavy added. “But it’s all up to you. It’s about doing what you love. And if you want it, you have to work hard for it.”

Mavy and Cassy finished high school last year and are now set to take up business entrepreneurship and marketing, respectively, in college in the coming months. But with the normal classroom setup still deemed too risky at the moment, schools and universities are looking into online learning as an alternative.

“It will be difficult for the professors and the students. Not everyone has a reliable internet connection. But I’m sure that schools and universities are taking their students’ and employees’ well-being into consideration,” Mavy said. “It isn’t going to be easy. But online classes or not, we will just have to cope with it.”

Aside from the necessary tools or gadgets, Cassy reiterated that there’s a pandemic and that other people may also be dealing with other personal problems.

“But I believe schools are now being more considerate when it comes to deadlines and such. And I really hope we can find a middle ground,” she said. Like other GMA 7 lifestyle shows, “Sarap ’Di Ba?” (Saturdays at 10:45 a.m.) has also resumed airing new episodes, which are shot from the Legaspi family’s home. Zoren is the director and cameraman. Carmina takes care of the props and set. And the twins, in addition to their hosting duties, help with the production.

“We work at home but we still have a call time. While we miss the production staff and our family on set, we feel more relaxed and secure at home. We’re in our comfort zone, so the interactions will be more authentic,” Mavy said, adding that the lockdown has allowed the family to spend more time together.

“Now we’re always complete. And I think that’s one thing we can show to the audience, the more authentic moments,” he added. “A normal day … but with cameras,” he said.