Two of a kind

No, proud parents Aga Muhlach and Charlene Gonzalez won’t have a hard time identifying who’s who between their twins who made a not-so-dramatic entrance into the world at dawn yesterday (Nov. 5) at the Makati Medical Center.

The babies happen to be fraternal twins, that’s why. The girl is named Atasha Aaron and the boy, Antonio Andres. Delivered by Caesarian section, the twins are showbiz’s newest darling babies, instant celebrities even while in their mom’s womb. Charlene was three months pregnant when she and Aga swapped "I dos" in Baguio City last May 28.

Atasha came out first, at 5:06 a.m., weighing 5.5 lbs. and measuring 47 centimeters; followed at 5:08 by Andres who weighed 5.13 lbs. and measured 47.5 centimeters.

Charlene checked into Makati Med as early as Saturday afternoon when she started having contractions. Her doctors told her that she had to complete the 36 weeks pregnancy period so that the twins’ lungs would be fully developed. She was accompanied by Aga, together with the proud would-be lolas, Aga’s mom Anita and Charlene’s mom Elvie Gonzalez.

At the delivery room, Aga wore a pink scrub gown like Charlene’s attending physicians who included Drs. Dennis Garcia and Marilou Martinez (pediatricians); Drs. Remedios Suntay, Rosario Cloma and Cely de Jesus (anesthesiologists); and Dr. Greg Pastorfide (obstetrician), assisted by Dr. Banzon, with Lizzie Honcada as special assistant.

When the babies came out, Charlene (awake all the while) broke into a sweet, albeit weak, smile. Papa Aga could have jumped with joy but restrained himself. Meanwhile, Charlene’s Aunt Chona (Perez-Ampil) was busy video-taping the whole ritual, with the excited lolas hovering nearby.

"They have no dimples!" exclaimed everybody. "Hindi nagmana kay Aga."

Instead, the twins took after their mom. But then, it’s too early to tell.

At the hospital, Atasha was wrapped in pink blanket and Andres in blue blanket, which are also the same colors by which they’ll be identified as soon as they go home (on Thursday when the brand-new mom checks out of Makati Med) to Ayala Alabang where a well-equipped two-of-a-kind nursery room has been waiting for them.

Atasha’s drawer is on top of Andres’ drawer, with a pair of teddy bears to brighten up the corner where the drawer stands.

There are two strollers and two car seats and, of course, two cribs, the one shown at left is for Andres and the one at right for Atasha.

In fact, there are two sets of everything (besides diapers in pink and blue): Plates, feeding bottles, safety pins (also blue and pink), powder and all the other accessories the twins need.

Now, will there be two sets (one dozen each) of godparents when the twins are baptized – soon?

For sure, Aga and Charlene are "doubling" up with joy and excitement at the advent of their bundles of happiness.