(From left) Aga Muhlach, Atasha Muhlach, Charlene Gonzales, and Andres Muhlach. Image: Courtesy of media.Xchange
Even though Atasha and Andres Muhlach have been in the limelight since they were young, they don’t consider Aga Muhlach and Charlene Gonzales as “stage parents,” but as “true-to-life parents” whom they look up to.
The Muhlachs joined forces in the family sitcom “Da Pers Family” which revolves around the Percival family’s journey to save their struggling bakery from closure. Just like their characters in the TV series, Atasha and Andres don’t consider their parents to be controlling, and would rather allow them to learn on their own terms.
“Our parents are not stage parents,” Andres told reporters at a media conference for the sitcom. “Our parents are [the type of people] whom you can spend your time with and you see every day. We see them as our loved ones who we look up to and idolize.”
Atasha said Aga and Charlene show “moral support” to the twins by imparting the wisdom they learned through their own experiences.
“They will always just guide us with everything. And they would never tell us what we did here or what we did wrong. It’s never about the work. It’s always about the moral support for them,” she said. “I wouldn’t say they’re stage parents. Just true-to-life parents who are very responsible, very kind, and warm-hearted people.”
‘Kaya na ‘yan’
When Aga and Charlene were asked if they had doubts about their children joining show biz, they pointed out that they have no qualms about allowing them to spread their wings. The actor also stressed that what Atasha and Andres decided to do was entirely up to them.
“No, hindi naman. Pagdating sa paga-artista, parang sila na ‘yan. Kaya na nila ‘yan. Kung magtatanong sila sa’kin, d’un ako magsasalita. Pero kung hindi sila magtatanong, d’un ako (No, not really. When they decided they wanted to be a celebrity, it’s up to them. They could decide for themselves. When they ask me for advice, that’s when I’ll say my piece. But even if they wouldn’t ask, I’m still here),” he said.
The former matinee idol, however, said he made it a point to remind his twins to show kindness no matter what. “Basta what’s important sa industriya natin is pakikisama and pakikitungo sa kapwa.”
“Growing up, ‘yun lang ang sinasabi ko sa kanila — to always be kind to everyone. Never judge,” he continued. “At the same time, pagdating sa pag-arte niyo, it’s all about confidence. Lakasan mo lang ang loob mo. Mahaba pa ang lalakbayin niyo.”
(What is important in our industry is how we interact with others. Growing up, that’s what I would always tell them — to always be kind to everyone. Never judge. At the same time, when it comes to their acting, it’s all about confidence. Just have courage. You still have a long way to go.)
Parenting style
Touching on their parenting style, Charlene said Aga is not the controlling type, but he’s “firm” with his words. Between them, it’s actually the soft-spoken former beauty queen who is more of the “disciplinarian,” he said.
“Ito ang disciplinarian talaga,” Aga said of Charlene. “Mas strikto ‘yan eh. Pero I’m very firm. Kapag nagsabi ako ng ‘go home’ or other things like that, kailangan you follow. But when it comes to them kung magpapaalam sila, go. Si Charlene pa ang ‘Why?’ Pero pagdating sa decision, kailangan bago ako, [kailangang may input] din si Charlene.”
(She’s more of the disciplinarian… She’s more strict. But I’m very firm. When I tell them to go home or other things like that, you must follow. But when it comes to them asking for our permission, go. Charlene would ask, “Why?” But when it comes to making decisions before I fully decide, Charlene needs to have her input.)
Creative roots
On the other hand, Charlene said she and Aga decided to allow Atasha and Andres to decide for themselves once they “reached a certain age.” She admitted that they were initially surprised when they wanted to join show biz, but were reminded of their “creative roots” while growing up.
“When they said they were interested in joining the entertainment business, nagulat kami,” she said of Atasha and Andres. “But growing up, it was an environment na comfortable sila because they [started] doing commercials and [things] Aga and I would be doing. They were not intimidated by the world they were entering. They were curious. They always had their artistic side talaga. When the right time came, sila ang nag-decide na gusto nila.”
(When they said they were interested in joining the entertainment business, we were surprised. But growing up, it was an environment they were comfortable in because they started doing commercials and other things Aga and I would be doing. They were not intimidated by the world they were entering. When the right time came, they decided what they wanted to do.)
Aside from the Muhlachs, the Danni Caparas-helmed series also stars Roderick Paulate, Ces Quesada, Bayani Agbayani, Chad Kinis, Kedebon Colim, Sam Coloso, and Heart Ryan.