Camille Prats speaks on motherhood, new baby

CAMILLE Prats shared that being friends with her son Nathan allowed her to strike a balance between being a fun and disciplinarian parent.

For most of the past decade, the Kapuso actress took on the role of a mother and father to the nine-year-old after her first husband Anthony Linsangan succumbed to cancer in 2011.

Prats said it was not easy at first as she was used to sharing all parenting duties with Linsangan, but she later on discovered the best way in raising her son.

She said by being friends with Nathan, she was not only able to create a loving home for her kid, but also a relaxed environment where he could freely express himself.

"I'm a very relaxed mom. But at the same time, nung lumalaki na siya and when I became a single mother, I realized that I need to be a combination of a disciplinarian and a relaxed mom," Prats said at the recent press event of RiteMED for Kids.

The actress noticed that by establishing a friendly relationship between them, she understands Nathan better.

She said he sees her as a cool mom.

"I wanted us to be friends and to have fun. I'd like for us to have a relationship that we want to hangout with each other hindi lang dahil napipilitan siya na makasama ako at wala siyang choice dahil nanay niya ako. I want him to be able to like to hangout with me and to look forward to spending time with mommy because she's fun," she said.

And since welcoming Nathan in 2008, Prats said motherhood thought her to be more giving and loving.

"Before when I was still single, ang iniisip ko lang lagi ay yung sarili ko, what I need, what I want. But when I had Nathan, I had a better perspective in life, na there's a reason why I work so hard. It has changed me in way that I never thought I could give so much love to someone."

It also rubbed off into her professional life as she values work more and has new appreciation for the people around her.

She said having Nathan pushed her to perform better to be able to provide a comfortable and healthy life for her family.

"Dati hindi ko nare-realize na ang project they actually come and go. Parang okay lang kahit meron or kahit wala. Ngayon mas mahal ko yung trabaho ko and mas pinapahalagahan ko siya kasi mas kailangan ko siya to be able to provide for my son, especially during the time when I was still a single mom."

That's why the 31-year-old actress was very thankful when she got the offer to be the brand ambassador of RiteMED for Kids alongside Nathan.

She said doing their first television commercial together was an experience she will never forget.

"We were really hoping and praying that it's going to push through. When I told him about it, nahiya siya but I told him that it's going to be fun. Parang it's not work and more like play. It's a bonding experience for us."

Prats said she has so many things to be thankful for. And aside from the new endorsement, she recently tied the knot with businessman VJ Yambao and is now five months pregnant.

The actress said she’s looking forward to meeting her daughter.

"Sunod sunod na blessing kaya sobrang thankful. The wedding, this endorsement and the baby, so I'm very, very happy."

Prats is expected to give birth in October. (SunStar Philippines)