Denise Laurel: Motherhood as a Mindset

by Kevyn Gohu
June 1, 2023

PLDT introduces its newest brand ambassador, Denise Laurel, as she shares how motherhood made her a stronger person.

Without the internet, single mom Denise Laurel would have had a harder time keeping up with her 12-year-old son, Bukie, while juggling other roles. Single moms like her take on the responsibility of being both a father and a mother, sometimes, feeling the guilt if they don’t check in with their kids at least once. “It’s important that we always communicate. We always call, text, and FaceTime to check up on him,” Denise says.

But where does Denise Laurel get that kind of strength?

It’s all in the mind

Parenting is both exciting and nerve-wracking. And it’s normal for any parent-to-be to feel that, assures Denise. “It’s normal to be nervous about being a parent. No one has a manual on it, and everybody’s backgrounds are different. What I always tell parents is that if you think it’s gonna be tough, it’s gonna be. But if you think it’s gonna be an adventure and it’s going to be fun, it’s gonna be fun.”

Her strength as a single mom can be attributed to her excitement. “I wanted to be the best in it,” she admits during an interview with PLDT CONVOS @ Home.

Denise Laurel’s days of running around being three months postpartum and settling for two hours of sleep a day is a very familiar scene. For the many single mothers who work to put food on the table or to make sure their kids grow happy and healthy, the abbreviation “PLDT” can also mean something else: “Palagi Dito” Ako.

#PLDT: Palagi Dito Ako

“I got this.” This line should probably be copyrighted for moms and especially single mothers everywhere.

However, the life of a single mom can be a lonely one. When the partner’s not in sight or things are quite rocky, single moms will feel like there’s no one in their corner except themselves. But Denise reveals the secret to holding up as a single mom: being your own best friend. “One thing that’s gotten me through being a single mother is you gotta be your own best friend. That goes for everybody. Don’t kick yourself down when you mess up,” she advises.

PLDT’s latest ad resonates with the reality of many single moms, especially those who are hesitant to accept help, much to Denise’s joy. “They [PLDT] always highlight family, and in the ad, they recognized single moms and the effort we put in. But of course, we also need someone to tell us, ‘I got you,’” she says.

PLDT: Making family time possible anywhere

During the pandemic, single moms enjoyed working from home while simultaneously spending time with their kids. But with businesses insisting their employees to come to the office these days, many single moms now rely on the internet to make sure they can create a happy environment for their children. It’s something that Denise feels now more than ever especially with her son, Bukie, approaching his teen years. “I’m just trying to make sure that he feels loved, driven by making sure that he grows up loving himself, his life and what he does, and that he’s kind to everyone,” she says.

Ultimately, that’s what any mom wants: to make sure their kids feel loved. PLDT helps provide the tools to ensure single moms have a support system. As Denise says, “Motherhood is a challenging adventure that gives you the chance to be the opportunity to be the best for someone else.”