Why I believe that family meals matter

I  truly love being a mom. The best times of my life are those that are spent with my family. And as bonding moments go, nothing beats eating together with the family. That’s the best. Studies have shown that daily interaction at the dinner table helps raise happier, healthier and more successful children. This is the time when you can share stories and important life lessons, impart good values and words of wisdom. As it turns out, this is something I have always known since my parents raised my brother and me this way. I myself value dining time with my own family.

At least once a day we would eat with our parents because it was really a rule of my dad’s. Sometimes, we would eat with our hands, tuyo or adobo. My dad or my mom would go to the market, and they both cooked very well. My father loved to cook. As a result, everybody in my family loves to cook and we make it a point to eat together whenever we can. You could say that I picked up my love for cooking and belief in the power of family meals during these interactions with my parents around the dinner table. It’s really not just dining or eating; for us, it’s communing, sharing special times and doing something together as a family. 

I’ve learned to be flexible with my own family because of the work hours of the business that we’re in. Especially in KC’s case because she is just starting out and there are other people’s schedules she has to adjust to. But whenever she can, she does make time to eat with us. 

Kiko insists that we all eat together as much as possible. In fact, he even takes the MRT after work if it means being able to save an extra 30 minutes to have dinner together with the family. So no matter if I came from an all-day shoot or was sleepless the night before and would rather forego a meal to catch up on some sleep, I make sure I am there so that we can share a meal together as a family.

When I found out about Kainang Pamilya Mahalaga, the advocacy of Lucky Me!, I was happy that they were promoting the power of family meals. It is a ritual taken for granted, considering the very busy lives that we all lead today. Their advocacy aims to encourage parents, like me, to frequently eat with their children, and to be involved in their lives, so they turn out happier, healthier and more successful. Theirs is a cause that I personally believe in — that’s why Kiko and I really make it a point to have frequent family meals with the kids.

I am very grateful for my career and all the opportunities that have come my way. But at the end of it all, my family comes first. I am proud to say that I am a working mom who is crazy about my kids and my husband. The time spent with my family is most special when we are doing simple things like baking together or sharing a meal. These are the warmest and most loving moments. And these are the moments that truly matter.

Lucky Me!, together with Ms. Sharon Cuneta-Pangilinan, encourages families all over the country to gather together on September 22, 2008 to share a meal and stories in celebration of “National Famealy Day — Pagkilala na Kainang Pamilya Mahalaga,” which aims to remind us that eating together is a simple but effective means for parents to raise happy, healthy, and successful children.