Zoren Legaspi and Maverick Legaspi: They’ve got drive and love dogs, too
The bond between Zoren Legaspi and his son Maverick is so easily felt when the two start talking about their lives at home and beyond.
Zoren is married to Carmina Villarroel. The couple is parents to 15-year-old twins Maverick and Cassandra.
“We chose Zoren and Maverick as brand ambassadors of the Chevrolet Trailblazer because we like to believe that the Trailblazer represents a bond between father and son,” said Lyn Buena, SVP and director for marketing services, Chevrolet Philippines. “Because a lot of young men get to know about their cars from their fathers and there is the passing of wisdom between a father and son. Also because the Legaspis are a very close-knit family who spend quality time together on weekends — whether here in Manila or out of town.”
Aside from being Chevrolet Trailblazer ambassadors, the two are also huge dog lovers.
“We are a dog-loving family,” says Zoren. “My wife Carmina and our daughter Cassandra, as well as Maverick and I, spend cuddling time with our dogs, too.”
Zoren is busy shooting for the movie My Mighty Yaya that stars Ai Ai de las Alas, Megan Young and Sophia Andres. Joey de Leon directs the movie, which will be shown this year.
As for Maverick, he is busy enjoying his summer vacation. “I planned to wake up early — swim in the morning and play tennis in the afternoon,” he says. “But since it is vacation, I have been taking it easy. Although I have been working out with my sister. I will be part of the varsity basketball team in my junior year, so I want to be fit and ready when classes start.”
Since it is summer vacation, Zoren and Carmina have allowed their kids to join the dance numbers of ABC-CBN noontime show ASAP, but only for the summer break. Zoren says he does this because he wants them to become more self-confident.
“When they do commercial ads these are taped, but ASAP is live and I want them to feel confident enough na kahit anong mangyari, they can perform” he adds.
About Maverick, Zoren says, “Maverick is a young boy growing up. He is concerned about the wax he puts on his hair and the way he looks. But, beyond looks, I want my kids to learn how to collaborate with young teenagers their age, too.”
Zoren admits that he is strict with his kids, more so when it comes to starting relationships with the opposite sex.
“With Maverick I like to know who his crushes are kasi I always tell him that looks can be deceiving,” adds Zoren. “At his age, he looks at beauty first. And in showbiz there are really a lot of good-looking people. But it seems that getting into serious relationships with girls is not yet Maverick’s priority.”
Maverick is quick to add that his celebrity crush is Selena Gomez, that’s it. “And Janella Salvador,” he says.
PHILIPPINE STAR: What do you like doing together?
ZOREN LEGASPI: Almost everything. That’s because Maverick is my only son. There were times in the past where I would do wrestling with him, like a brother. I come from a family of four boys and we would wrestle all the time. But when I wrestle with him he always complains he’s hurt. Now he has learned to wrestle back.
We both play tennis and basketball. He makes fun of me when playing ball because I am older and he is now faster than me.
MAVERICK LEGASPI: Yes, I am a better player than Tatay.
ZOREN: The whole family goes to the gym together. We eat lunch together as a family as often as we can. We also watch movies together on weekends. It has become a family tradition for us. We also visit my dad-in-law.
What’s Zoren like as a dad?
MAVERICK: He only wants the best for me and he is always on the watch with every move I make. I like to call it tough love. Sometimes there are things I want to happen, but in his way, it might not seem right. So, at the end of the day I have to respect his decision and I usually end up following him. I don’t hate him for that. Because I know he has more experience than me. Sometimes I don’t usually get answers that I prefer to hear; I still respect and love him.
What’s Maverick like as a son?
ZOREN: It’s hard not to give in to what he wants because he deserves it. But I don’t want to give in all the time because I don’t want to spoil him. He is a good boy and a good student and he is very obedient. I am often torn about not giving in to what he asks for. Our last argument was getting tickets for the Nadal tennis game. The tickets were very expensive. At the end, I relented, got the tickets and watched the game with him. Still, I did make sure he was aware of how much the tickets cost (P20,000). It’s because with expenses like these, nanghihinayang ako (I find it so expensive). But I guess he was after the memories and the experience of watching Nadal up close and personal.
In what ways are you similar?
Let's drive away: Chevrolet Trailblazer ambassadors Zoren and Maverick
ZOREN: I think we are opposites. I think he takes after his mom, Carmina. He likes tidying up, just like his mom. Sometimes I see him in the middle of the night arranging the way the chairs are fixed in the house. But, when it comes to his being sports-minded, we are the same.
MAVERICK: We are both corny and like telling corny jokes.
How are you different?
ZOREN: He is a follower. Ako may pagka-rebelde.
Maverick will need a student permit to drive next year. Are you giving him tips about driving?
ZOREN: Yes. Actually, Maverick is already a backseat driver. One time I got lost (as I usually do). Maverick thought I was going to make a U-turn, but I had actually planned to make a left turn. “Tatay, there is no U-turn there,” Maverick reprimanded me in panic mode. I answered him that I was going to make a left turn.
Maverick likes to point out that I am a noisy driver because I like honking the horn. So I’d explain to them that when I honk the horn it is my way of informing the other cars that I am here and don’t swerve all of the sudden. I don’t know if he likes my style of driving.
I told Maverick that when there is a truck, just make sure that he should either be in front of it or behind it — never beside. Because I know that accidents are possible if one is beside a truck. Huwag silang makipagsabayan sa truck, more so on the highway. I think it is best if Maverick drives an SUV like the Chevy Trailblazer because one can do everything it is safer to drive. It is also perfect for the weather and roads in the country.
MAVERICK: I am like Tatay, I appreciate sports cars, but I have not yet thought of driving one. I will turn 16 next year so by January, I can already start to practice driving.
ZOREN: I will be the one to teach him. I think I am patient enough to do that. I like to simulate a driving experience even before Maverick holds the wheel. I always tell him he has to be defensive when he needs to be and offensive also when it is called for. He has to learn how to overtake and also to make quick turns if necessary. He must follow the speed limit and that the pedestrian is always his first priority.
And dog love?
MAVERICK: We are all pet lovers, but we love dogs most. The dogs we have with us today, Fifi is a Bichon, Banana and Potpot are a mix of Maltese and Bichon. They are my mom’s choices because she likes the cute dogs. I have a Golden Retriever named Sunny; she is seven years old. She was my first dog.
If you could have any other pet, what would it be?
MAVERICK: A panda because they are so cute. But if I were an animal I would like to be an eagle. It would be great to get a different perspective of life from the sky.
ZOREN: I have a Doberman. I have been able to teach my dog Dollar lots of things — and it only took me three days to do that. The Doberman looks scary but they are obedient.
Once in a while we bring our dogs with us to our vacation house in Batangas. I grew up with big dogs. I also take Dollar with me when I have a shooting.
Carmina likes the cute, cuddly dogs. These are the dogs that stay inside our house and we play with them every day. They are great stress relievers as they love to give us lick kisses when we get home.
If you could have another pet, what would it be?
ZOREN: Horse. The horse is an exotic animal and racehorses are very sexy. If I were to be an animal I would want to be a horse.
