Home is where the meal bonding is

Tomorrow (July 18) morning at 10:45, the Bahay Edition of Sarap, ‘Di Ba? will have its premiere hosted by the Legaspi Family led by Carmina Villarroel and husband Zoren Legaspi together with their twins Mavy and Cassy. As you know, they are an ideal family that one rarely finds in showbiz where members are often too busy with their respective activities to sit down and bond. The Legaspis make it a point to do their bonding over meals which are made more special by a light conversation. You can see that in the show’s Bahay Edition.

Also joining the fun-filled pilot episode is Asia’s Romantic Balladeer Christian Bautista who takes viewers on an exclusive tour of their humble abode with wife Kat Ramnani.

Carmina Villarroel and Zoren Legaspi with children Cassy and Mavy sharing dinner at home and enjoying a trip abroad. Tomorrow (July 18) morning at 10:45 on GMA, they will host the premiere of Sarap, ‘D Ba? Bahay Edition.

Mas masaya ba ang family bonding over a meal?

Carmina: Ever since, it has been a rule in our house na when it’s eating time, we have to eat together. Habang kumakain kayo masarap na mayroon kang kakuwentuhan. Back then, we were all busy with work, Zoren and me, and the children naman with school, so very seldom kami na kumakain ng sabay-sabay. What I really want  is that when we are all at home, we must eat together because that’s when we catch up on what’s happening to us at work, to them  in school, anong nangyayari in the industry, in the country and in the world. Ako kasi, I came from a big family and masaya kapag kumpleto ang lahat over a meal.

Zoren: That’s right. ‘Yan ang kultura sa bahay, sabay-sabay kaming kakain. But there was a time na nagkaka-conflict sa schedule. One was into fasting, another was working out, so I felt that something was not right, that something was “broken.” The fact na the family is not eating together parang may mali na kaagad. Because of this lockdown, nagsabay-sabay ulit kaming kumain and it feels good, especially if it’s one member who cooks. Masaya talaga if we eat together as a family.

What is the usual menu for breakfast, lunch, dinner and merienda?

Cassy: Sometimes, iba-iba kasi we have different diets. But I look forward to dinner because I’m curious about what Mommy will prepare. You know...surprise! I assure you, Mommy never disappoints.

What is each member’s favorite and with what kind of food kayo nagkakasundo?

Zoren: With me, anything goes. Si Carmina,  siya ‘yung “Naku, ayaw ko niyan; wala akong kakainin diyan.”

Carmina: No, ikaw kaya ‘yung picky when it comes to restaurants. We are opposites. I can eat anywhere kasi I can adjust. But at home, we are okay. Kahit anong ihain ko sa kanila, they will eat...whether it’s Korean, Filipino or even Thai. Parang ang hindi lang talaga mawawala sa bahay ay chicken bukod sa tuna ni Cassy. They all love the salmon and camote fries.

How different is the Bahay Edition from the studio-shot edition?

Zoren: I watched the ones on TV and they looked scripted. More or less, itong Bahay Edition parang does not stick to the script unlike the studio edition. Sa Bahay Edition,  you have to be very organic and just be yourself. We’re allowed to say ‘yung mga gusto namin and ad-libs na puwede naming gawin pati na rin kalokohan. It’s like a reality show.

Carmina: Kumbaga free flowing. In the studio version kasi may script, guests, sketches and audience kami. The Bahay Edition is also free flowing pero mas structured lang. We don’t have sketches but more on sharing of dishes, games or kung ano pang bonding with kids, and special guests na rin.

Who among the family members know how to cook?

Mavy: All of us naman know how to cook. Si Mommy and Daddy, aral kasi. Ako kasi ngayong quarantine lang natuto. Si Cassy kasi more on baking than cooking.

Carmina: But Cassy makes her own pasta rin. The four of us, we can cook our own meals. It’s nothing fancy as long as preference ng taste namin. We have simple needs. We like Mavy’s gay crepe; pancake mix lang naman ‘yon, not super expensive. We just make do whatever we have in the house, nagagawan na lang ng paraan.

Sabi nila, the best way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. Carmina, if you were to win Zoren with food, anong food ‘yon?

Carmina: Si Zoren kasi maarte na hindi maarte. Meaning, he can eat anything, simple dishes. Basta si Zoren, favorite n’ya ang tortang talong so it’s very simple and affordable. Lahat naman ng niluluto ko kinakain n’ya.

Zoren: Matagal ko nang favorite ‘yon.

How do you treat your twins now that they are grown compared to when they were kids?

Carmina: No, they’re still kids ganoon ko pa rin sila tratuhin. Kidding aside, it’s still the same but now that they have their own minds already, mas open communication lang. That’s the secret of our family. Talking to them, being honest to them, and explaining things to them.

Zoren: Ang pinagbago lang siguro they are allowed to do certain things. And kapag may problema more on dialogue, hindi na ‘yung papagalitan mo agad. Wala ng “face the wall.” Nabutas na dahil sa kakaharap ni Maverick, eh! Hahaha!!!

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