Content creators Viy Cortez-Velasquez and Cong Velasquez consider the arrival of their first child Zeus Emanuel “Kidlat” Velasquez a life-changing moment.
From his first words to his growing curiosity, the couple said their parenthood journey has been both challenging and rewarding.
“Every little thing Kidlat does makes us proud. When he first said ‘mama,’ that alone was enough to make me happy. Now, seeing him speak in both English and Tagalog and express his feelings clearly, it amazes us,” said Viy.
The two also admitted they balance parenting roles differently. Cong takes on the disciplinarian role, while Viy leans toward nurturing.
“It’s hard if both of us are always strict. So I leave discipline mostly to Cong, while I focus on encouraging him and taking good care of him,” she added.
Cong, meanwhile, said he wants Kidlat to explore freely without the pressure of predetermined expectations.
“I don’t care if he becomes a doctor, blogger, or anything else. What matters is he grows up a good person. Our role is to guide, not to decide his future,” he explained.
Their parenting style includes exposing Kidlat to different experiences—from sports like soccer and swimming to creative play and early academics.
“We want him to discover what sparks his interest. Even if it’s not something he excels at right away, he learns discipline and life skills,” Cong continued.
One of the lessons the couple values most is recognizing small milestones and the little achievements that often go unnoticed but mark important steps in a child’s growth.
“We always acknowledge his efforts, even the little ones, with a simple ‘good job.’ Rewards like toys may come later, but what’s important is he knows we see and appreciate his progress,” Viy shared.
Part of their journey as first-time parents also involved navigating the realities of early childhood education. Like many first-time parents, they had doubts about homeschooling, worried it might make Kidlat shy or unprepared for traditional school. But their experience told a different story.
“At home, he learns discipline through play. It feels like playtime, but it teaches responsibility. When he transitions to big school, he’ll already have an idea of what to expect,” she said.
That trust in home-based learning eventually brought them to Kids Learning Ville, where Kidlat is currently enrolled. The school’s flexible, play-based programs impressed them so much that during a recent event, Kidlat was officially signed as its newest ambassador.
For them, the role is not just an endorsement but a reflection of their family’s journey.
“We’ve seen firsthand how much he has grown through Kids Learning Ville. It’s not just our child who learns—even we, as parents, learn how to better guide him,” Viy explained.
Cong added that the proof lies in Kidlat himself.
“His confidence, his curiosity—those are the results we see every day. And that’s the most important thing for us as parents,” he stated.
