Right at home
MANILA, Philippines - Family is a sanctuary where one feels secure. This sanctuary cradles trust, hope and values that mold one’s character. It is also a place that allows one to learn the importance of love and being loved. For Lorenzo and Monica Lerma, building a strong foundation for their family starts right at home.
“I work full time, so I try as much as possible that when I get home, I spend time with my kids. I try to be as hands on as I can and when I’m away, I try to be aware of what’s going on at home,” says Monica, a behavioral therapist for special kids at A Child Can Foundation, an early intervention therapy center.
“We are hands on with our kids. We make sure we are with them most of the time. When our four-year-old Lucas goes home from school, I ask him how his day was and I just talk to him. In the afternoon, we go to the basketball court and play. One of the times I really look forward to when I come home is our one-year-old son Leo at the Great Lawn running towards us when he sees us from afar,” shares Lorenzo, who teaches Psychology at the Ateneo de Manila University and is a counselor for the Fr. Jaime Bulatao, S.J. Center for Psychology Services.
The Lermas are guided by their principles in raising their children. “Surrender everything to God. I know that God is always good. There are always obstacles but we just try to let go of everything. You feel His presence and everything falls into perspective and you’re renewed again. I always teach choice and I want to pass that down to my kids. You make your best choices given the information that you have. I want them to know that it’s OK to make mistakes. I’d rather have them live that way than live in fear trying to choose the safe paths. I want our kids to find what their passion is and just pursue it and we will try to be supportive,” admits Lorenzo.
The Lermas value the space that their sanctuary at The Grove by Rockwell offers — like an unobstructed view of the sky matched with an expansive green lawn — where their kids can be physically active and a place for them to relax. Having lived in two Rockwell communities, they embrace the concept of having an entire lifestyle connected to a community that displays quality living and is above all, family-friendly.
“It’s nice to know that the kids can be active in this community. I’m just very happy to see Lucas and Leo getting exposed to a bunch of kids who they can play with. Safety is important for me and I feel safe. I don’t have to worry so much when they go out,” Monica shares.
Lorenzo agrees, “It’s relaxing for us and the kids to just go out in that huge space and play with them or just lay by the pool. The kids can go out and we know that they will be safe. The lure of the Grand Lawn level is a big factor because it’s uncommon for condo communities to have such wide spaces.”
It is true that it’s through the family that one first learns the value of love, trust, hope and morals. For Monica and Lorenzo, at the end of the day, a strong connection with their kids is important. May it be cooking for them, changing their clothes, combing their hair, or showing them affection.
“My husband and I always look forward to coming home, especially when we see that our kids are physically active and they’re playing with other kids and they are safe. Even if we’ve been gone the whole day, when we see our kids excited to see us, we feel we’re still connected with them. It assures us that we are doing something right. It’s a good feeling that at least we know they’re happy even while we’re away, that’s the important thing. All those things make us happy here,” Monica concludes.
In this sanctuary, the Lermas are home.
Photography by RITA MARIE • Creative direction and overall styling by Luis Espiritu Jr. • Makeup by BABA PARMA • Hairstyling by RONNIE TUMAMAK
• Shot on location at The main pool, THE GROVE BY ROCKWELL
