Candy Pangilinan reveals her foremost dream for her son, Quentin

• Veteran actress Candy Pangilinan’s ultimate aspiration for her son, Quentin, who has been diagnosed with ADHD and ASD, is for him to achieve independence, a goal that guides all her parenting efforts

• Pangilinan openly discussed a poignant viral video where she shed tears during Quenti’s tantrum, explaining her raw concern about his future self-sufficiency as a single mother

• Despite challenges, Pangilinan proudly shared Quentin’s notable developments in his job at an Italian restaurant, where he has expanded his responsibilities from a greeter to taking orders and preparing cappuccinos

• While many commend her parenting, Pangilinan views her relationship with Quentin as a mutual blessing, crediting him with fostering her immense patience and creativity

Candy Pangilinan, a veteran actress and comedienne, has articulated a singular and profound aspiration for her son, Quentin: for him to achieve independence.

This straightforward yet deeply meaningful goal underpins Pangilinan's approach to raising Quentin, who has been diagnosed with both Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

The comedienne recently delved into the intricacies of her journey as a single mother to Quentin during an appearance on SB19’s podcast, “Time First.”

The conversation touched upon both the triumphs and tribulations she has encountered. A particularly poignant moment she recounted involved shedding tears in front of Quentin for the first time during one of his tantrums, an incident that gained widespread attention after she shared a video of it in April.

She described taking him out, feeding him, and trying to entertain him, only for a sudden meltdown to occur in the car, possibly triggered by something minor like excessive chips.

It was during this challenging moment that Pangilinan felt compelled to impress upon Quentin a stark reality.

During the podcast, Pangilinan expounded on the statement she made in that viral video, where she attempted to convey to her son the finite nature of her own presence.

“Paano kung namatay ako? Fact 'yun eh.” she recalled asking him, emphasizing the harsh truth. “‘Pag namatay ako tapos wala pa siyang kayang gawin, paano siya? Kasi wala siyang kapatid, wala naman talaga siyang barkadang barkada. I mean ako 'yung barkada talaga niya kasi nahihirapan siya makipag-barkada sa iba dahil hindi naman siya naiintindihan.”

For Pangilinan, every effort she makes for Quentin is a form of preparation for a future where he might need to navigate life independently.

Despite embracing this philosophy, the actress-comedienne candidly admitted that a mother of a neurodivergent child can never be fully prepared, especially as a single parent with no other children to rely on.

Beyond the challenges, Pangilinan proudly highlighted Quentin’s naturally cheerful disposition. “Masayahin ‘yung bata, masayahin si Quentin as a person,” she stated, noting his positive demeanor outside of his meltdown episodes.

She also shared significant updates on his progress in the professional world. Quentin has secured employment at an Italian restaurant, where he has demonstrated remarkable development.

Initially starting as a greeter, responsible for opening doors, he has since expanded his responsibilities to include distributing menus and utensils, serving water, preparing cappuccinos, and even taking customer orders directly.

Candy often receives comments from people who consider Quentin fortunate to have her as a mother.

However, she believes the blessing is mutual. “I think swerte din ako kasi I will not be who I am right now without my son, that’s for sure,” she affirmed.

She credits Quentin with cultivating her immense patience and fostering her creativity, recalling instances where she would sing “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” in various versions just to soothe him during difficult moments.

Her openness about Quentin’s journey has not only provided insights into her personal life but has also served to raise awareness and offer a relatable narrative for other parents navigating similar experiences.

Candy Pangilinan is a seasoned Filipino actress and comedian, recognized for her extensive work in film and television since the early 1990s. Throughout her career, Candy has taken on numerous supporting roles in romantic comedies and television sitcoms. In addition to acting, Candy is also a writer and entrepreneur. She has a son named Quentin and is known for being a devoted mother. She would often update followers about her son.

Recently, Candy shared a heartfelt post asking, “Paano kung namatay ako? Tapos wala pa din siyang kayang gawin, paano siya?” She reposted a message reflecting on motherhood’s unpredictability, saying, “Motherhood doesn’t come with a manual…” and emphasizing love over timelines. The post resonated with many, especially parents of children with special needs, who praised her honesty and courage. Candy continues to inspire by openly sharing her journey with her son Quentin, who has ADHD and autism, breaking stigma and spreading hope.

Previously, Candy also opened up about her surgery. Earlier, Candy uploaded a 12-minute vlog where she talked about getting a laparoscopy. She then explained that due to the surgery, she had to celebrate her birthday at the hospital. Despite the news, netizens were touched by Candy's story about her son, Quentin, in the vlog.

Source: KAMI.com.gh