Denise Laurel single again

Denise Laurel didn’t come out on national television to say that she and the father of her  two-year-old son Alejandro, have called it quits.  But the truth is, she  is a newly-minted single mom. She and her  son Alejandro’s Italian-American  dad had irreconcilable differences, starting with their upbringing.

Despite everything, Denise still respects her son’s dad.  

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“It’s not that he’s a bad person. The relationship just ran its course. He’s an only child  (she comes from a large family).  Gusto ko laking Pinoy.”

He supports their son even if Denise doesn’t ask him to. After all, while she grew up surrounded by family in the big Laurel compound, Denise has always been independent.

She followed her heart even if, like most parents, hers wanted to see her wearing a wedding ring first before she bears a child.

“Being parents, they  were disappointed,” Denise admits.  And she felt sad that she let her parents down.

From disappointment to joy

But disappointment  soon turned to  understanding – and joy.

Alejandro is the youngest resident in the Laurel compound and Denise’s siblings are all single.   So the boy is the apple of everyone’s  eyes.

“They’re so involved  with my son!” Denise gushes. “My dad even thinks he will be his only apo!”

Thanks to Denise, the boy is turning out to be a fast learner.

The proud mom relates that Alejandro is her parents’ first grandson but he is not spoiled.

“He started  walking early,  running early,  talking early. I made sure na kahit anong gawin namin, may kanta. Kailangan  ma-explain ang lahat. Ngayon, alam na niya ang 1 to 10. He  knows the full alphabet and ‘Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.’ He knows what a  square, a  diamond, heart, rectangle and octagon are.”

Denise laughs and says that’s all her son needs to know for now.  The more complex  things – math, algebra,  science, etc., can come much  later.

The single mom is obviously having the time of her life.  In fact, motherhood now defines  her

“From the moment (I had my child, I knew  this  is who I am supposed to be,” she says.

The actress who thought sleep was a waste of time now welcomes it like a long-delayed gift.  Denise must recharge so she can keep up with her precocious tot’s energy.

Motherhood also makes her feel her role in “Anna Liza” even more.  It’s Denise’s first mother role,  and her on screen daughter  Anna Liza (played by Andrea Brillantes), happens to be  five years older than  Alejandro.
 
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“When I  read the story, maluha-luha ako. Tumaas ang balihibo ko, “ recalls Denise.  “I wanna do this story.”

Since the story revolves around the loss of a child, Denise watched documentaries about adoption.

Scared mom

The story  has also scared the living daylights out of her.

“Lalo akong na-praning especially with all the violence happening nowadays,” she admits.  “Ang dami kong natutunan sa character ko.”

Denise doesn’t let her son be alone with strangers.  A family member – take note – not a yaya,  must always be  with him.

“We never had a yaya,” she explains. “Laking Mom and  Dad ako.”

Denise  the good mom, is not just playing a role in a teleserye.  She is living it outside the set  – day in and day out.