Connh Cruz: The Essence of Being Modern Nanay

In this exclusive, famous TikTok mom Connh Cruz tells Modern Parenting what it’s like to be Modern Nanay

Amidst the loud and voiced-over TikTok reels, Connh Cruz, popularly known as Modern Nanay, stands out with her relaxing, quiet, and ASMR-style videos. “Mayroong akong mga video nagawa na may voice-over, kaso, mas maraming engagement yung isa [the ASMR-styled videos] so tinuloy ko nalang,” Connh recounts her creative process. 

But finding that niche or mastering a particular kind of content isn’t something people can do on their own nor achieve overnight. It’s a team effort that requires a whole lot of trial and error, Connh adds, revealing that recipe creation was something she has done ever since 2015. “May brainstorming kami tapos, we shoot mga three times a week. Pero, enjoy ko naman especially yung pagluluto o mag restock ng ref.”

How it all started 

So how did Modern Nanay become a social media sensation? Connh reveals that her moniker, Modern Nanay, was based on how she saw herself. Her TikTok channel reveals quite a variety of content, including grocery shopping, travels, OOTDs. But the majority of her hits are still videos of herself cooking many beloved Filipino recipes – from easy to difficult – but always for a lot of people!

“Di naman ako fashionista,” she disclaims with a giggle. “Pero mahilig kasi ako manamit ng maganda for myself  Kaya tinawag akong Modern Nanay. Eventually, na-discover ko na hindi lang ako modern nanay in that way. Pati sa pagpapalaki sa mga anak ko, sa pag manage ko ng bahay, and sa pagiging organized.”

Her signature segment, Kakatok sa Ref, represents the modernness she shares. Besides enjoying the touch function of her chiller (allowing her to see what’s inside), it also allowed her to marry her love for cooking for a huge household and organizing.

When mommy is a chef

While many shy away from the kitchen’s heat, it’s what Connh finds relaxing. “Parang stress relief para sa akin yung pagluluto. Mahilig talaga ako mag-experiment sa mga recipes with exact measurements.”

Although a culinary graduate exposed to various cooking techniques and modern appliances, Connh Cruz still favors some of the traditional cooking methods and ingredients — a trait she inherited from both her grandmother and her mother. While there are no “pamana” recipes, it’s the philosophy that they passed down. Always cook with love, she reveals. “Natitikman mo talaga kung may love sa luto. Wala siya sa ingredients; sa effort talaga.”

Even her most favored dishes are a testament to that belief. Her Kare-Kare, Bulalo, Sinigang, Morcon and Hamonado — all of which home cooks and moms fear for their being difficult to make, “matrabaho” and time-consuming — have become constants on her family’s table. She also has fans, who have built businesses based on her recipes. Modern Nanay does have videos that teach food entrepreneurs how to economically and efficiently make food for selling. She expresses her joy knowing that some of her fans have “earned money” from her tips.

Being the modern mother that she is, of course she also showcases recipes wherein saving time is the priority — so simple ingredients, easy to make and guaranteed delicious!

The life of a modern nanay

While she considers her childhood simple and ordinary, Connh’s parenting journey has been quite eventful. After becoming a stepmom of two 18 years ago to her husband Sol’s kids, they also had three kids of their own shortly after — Soleil, Matteo, and Lucio. Sol’s kids, Mark and Marygold, are now 27 and 26 years old and have their own careers. Soleil is heading off to college, while Matteo and Lucio still need much of her guidance. Connh chooses to take a more supportive and lenient stance as a kabarkada, instead of the usual strict approach with traditional parenting.

“I love bonding and hanging out with my kids,” she intimates. “Sila yung parang friend or kabarkada lalo na sa mga food trip. Di ako mahigpit sa mga anak ko. Basta takot sila sa akin at sa paggawa ng mali, hinahayaan ko sila matuto sa mga mali nila. Gusto ko din na magiging independent sila.“

“Gusto ko kasi na they feel they can tell me anything,” she adds, explaining her choice of a gentler approach. “Basta pinaparamdam ko sa kanila nandito lang ako parati sa likod nila bilang kaibigan at nanay. Si Mark and si Marygold, I always considered na anak ko talaga sila.”

Although there’s still the struggle to adapt to their needs with the kids belonging to different generations, Connh reveals the silver lining — a sense of responsibility fostered among the siblings. “Doon sa mga mas batang kapatid, alaga talaga sila ng mga older kids. Yung mga mas matanda ay gumagabay sa mga mas bata at talagang tumatayo sila na parang mga magulang na din.“

Her stepdaughter Marygold is tying the knot soon, and it’s quite an emotional time for Connh, she admits because she has gotten used to having her around for 18 years. “First siya sa family na ikakasal pero, nasa tamang edad naman siya — 26 years old naman na siya. Nakaka-excite din kasi lalaki ang family namin, pero nakakalungkot kasi mamimiss ko siya.”

Always reinventing herself

While Connh Cruz faces the challenges all moms are faced with, she has a different set of challenges to work through being a chef and a content creator. With her mastery of Filipino food, she wishes to teach ordinary people how to recreate these dishes at home. Even with the difficulty level being high up there, she will walk the audience through step by step. Connh also shares her desire to learn another beloved yet demanding culinary style — Italian. It is one that has its own set of traditions that have been passed down from generation to generation.

“Since mahilig ang mga anak ko sa pasta, Italian ang gusto ko i-master next,” Connh shares, joking about her youngest son’s palate. “Matteo especially. Si Matteo Italiano yata ‘to. Kasi more on Italian food ang gusto niya.”

But every mom knows the family menu can’t always cater to only one member. So how does she manage that? Connh reveals her secret to managing her five kids and her husband with their six different palates is asking them what food they each want and taking turns making them. “Basta importante sa akin may limit sa sweets and processed foods. Pero paminsan-minsan, binigyan ko sila para di ako KJ mom,” she laughs. “Kasi talaga, masarap minsan ang bawal.”

Especially with her knowledge of baking, Connh is no stranger to how delightful sweets can be. “Actually, tumaba talaga ako sa baking,” she candidly reveals. “Mahilig talaga ako mag-bake before. Yung first baked recipe ko yung Brazo de Mercedes at nagustuhan naman nila [the kids]. Kaso, mas focus ako sa cooking dahil yun talaga ang specialty ko.

Beyond the kitchen and the screen

While many know her as the modern day culinary icon, Connh reveals that she’s also a mompreneur. Handling both real estate and the SolCon Meat Shop in Malabon, she prioritizes caring for her family and managing the business. “Yung paggawa ng content, second lang yun sa list of priorities ko. Yung content kasi, yung ginagawa ko, enjoy ko naman yon and walang pumipilit sa akin. I don’t think of it as work,” she reveals.

But what about on the days she doesn’t have the energy to cook? “Nagpapahinga lang ako,“ she shrugs. “Gusto ko kasi, kung gumagawa ako ng content, nararamdaman ng followers ko na gusto ko talaga. Di ko ginawa for the views at happy ako.“

Her joy shows, even when she brainstorms with her team to create content. The sounds of her knocking on the ref, the blade of her knife smoothly falling onto the chopping board, and even the washing of the ingredients are welcome sounds for anyone who wishes to disconnect after a long day. 

A modern parent indeed as Modern Nanay looks after not just her family, but even her fans – making sure they’re well-cared for and entertained beyond her kitchen and their gadget screens.

CREDITS

Words KEVYN GOHU-CATINGUB
Photography KIM SANTOS OF KLIQ, INC.
Art Direction DENIELLE CARAG
Styling ELDZ MEJIA and CARL ALBERTO
Makeup Artist TWINKLE BERNARDO
Hairstyling  ANGELI ALFONSO
Sittings Editor MARGA MEDRANO TUPAZ

Shot on Location at BRITTANY HOTEL

More about chef moms?

Hazel Cheffy: Cooking Up a Storm
Michelle Adrillana: From Zero to Hero
Eat, Pray, and Love at Chefmom’s Table