Drew and Iya Arellano share their lives amid the quarantine and how they protect their kids against sickness

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Drew Arellano and Iya Villania are role models for Filipino families. They are especially popular on social media, where millions of followers watch as they raise three adorable children: Primo, Leon, and Alana.

Despite being a celebrity family, they have an aura of approachability that makes them relatable. This became more evident during the COVID-19 pandemic, when they were affected by the quarantine restrictions just like everyone else.

“We've been staying home. Each day, it's the same routine. We wake up, have breakfast, we work out and the kids play. I'm just waiting for them to say ‘so when do we mix it up? When do we go outside?’ So far they're still okay. They have each other and that's an important thing,” Drew says.

Iya adds, “We're fortunate to be able to say that we're doing well. More than anything, it's the company and because we keep each other happy, no matter where we are.”

To adjust, Drew and Iya allowed their children to decide what they will do for the day. The parents ask if they want to cook, read, or work with numbers. Screen time is also welcome since it provides an opportunity for learning. According to Drew, “when you're trying to teach your kids, we have to go with the flow. We just have to regulate it and try as much as possible to inject it with learning.”

Iya agrees, saying, “You have to give them options because it gives them a sense of power. It's only natural for every human to want to feel that way. Drew and I are aware of how we felt when we were going to school and we don't want to have to enforce that on our kids.”

This unstructured method for learning has proven to be effective. Allowing their children to go at their own pace, when they’re ready to understand and absorb information, made learning faster. Soon, they were surprised when Primo began adding double digits.

Naturally, the Arellanos are considering a combination of homeschooling and unschooling. Unschooling is a form of education where students learn at their own pace, in a supportive setting that encourages curiosity.

The parents are just as decisive about their children’s health. Their approach is a mix of affection and medicine.

“One of my tips would be to give your kids a lot of hugs and kisses. When it needs to be taken to the next level, then that's when you get to something that’s no-fail and that would have to be Calpol for Kids,” says Iya. “Especially kung kaunting fever lang, oh my goodness. Nakakakaba.”

The couple tells a story when Primo, their eldest, had his first sickness. The couple shares, “as first time parents, raising a kid was kind of like walking on eggshells. We weren't sure what to do. It was a good thing we had their grandparents to guide us.”

The parents became more experienced as Primo grew older, which became helpful when Leon and Alana were born. Fortunately, the children are generally healthy.

The family trusts Paracetamol Calpol for Kids, which helps with fever and pain due to toothaches, headaches, migraine, muscle ache, sore throat and musculoskeletal discomfort.

Iya shares, “doctors always ask ‘May fever ba?’ I feel like it boils down to a fever, so it's nice that we have Paracetamol Calpol for Kids that we can rely on. That will definitely make them feel good after a dose because it's so fast-acting.”

The Arellanos advise parents to always have paracetamol fever and pain relievers at home. Iya says “you don't know when you might need that. You don't want to have to worry and wait until magbukas ‘yung mga stores before you can act on it and get medicine.”

Drew agrees, sharing, “You'll have peace of mind knowing that when you have Paracetamol Calpol for Kids, chances are, bababa fever ng anak mo. It's so painful as a parent to see your kids na nanghihina. Sana ako na lang.”

Saving lives with vaccines

For World Immunization Month this August, the Arellanos are reminding parents to get their children vaccinated. When they are inoculated, they build antibodies that protect them from diseases, even if they develop it as adults. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) say that routine vaccinations during childhood help stop 14 illnesses.

One of the common side effects of getting vaccinated is fever. Paracetamol Calpol for Kids can help. It can relieve fever in just 15 minutes while still being gentle on your kids’ tummies. The medicine comes in orange and strawberry flavors, making it easier for parents to give children their doses.

The couple says, “trust the science and your pediatrician. They know what's best for your kids.”

To know more about Paracetamol Calpol for Kids, visit calpol.com.ph or facebook.com/CalpolPH.

You can also purchase Paracetamol Calpol from the GSK Lazada and GSK Shopee pages.

1 The Importance of Childhood Vaccinations

2 Vaccines: Power to Protect

3 Why Childhood Immunizations Are Important

Keep your children protected with vaccines this National Immunization Awareness Month

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As Filipinos continue to get inoculated against the COVID-19 virus, it’s important to also pay attention to other vaccines that contribute to a person’s wellbeing. National Immunization Awareness Month is celebrated every August to emphasize the importance of vaccination for people of all ages.

This is especially true for children, who are more vulnerable to diseases because of their underdeveloped immune systems. When they are vaccinated, they develop infection-fighting antibodies that protect them from many diseases as they grow up. It also contributes to herd immunity, which prevents the spread of diseases, even for those who are not vaccinated.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), routine vaccinations during childhood help prevent 14 diseases. For children born from 1994 to 2018, it will inhibit an estimated 936,000 early deaths, eight million hospitalizations, and 419 million illnesses.

Below are just some of the diseases that vaccinations can stop:

Pneumonia. Pneumonia is a lung infection caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. Inflammation in the air sacs in the lungs, called alveoli, causes it to fill with fluid or pus, resulting in breathing difficulty. Most people recover from pneumonia but some cases can be fatal.

Flu. The flu, or influenza, is a respiratory illness caused by viruses. It infects the nose, throat, and even the lungs. It can cause mild to severe illness, with symptoms ranging from a cough to a sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headaches, and fatigue. Some cases include a fever, while children may also be exposed to vomiting and diarrhea. The CDC says that the first step to prevent this disease is an annual flu vaccine.

Measles. Measles is a viral infection that affects children. This is marked by fever, dry cough, runny nose, sore throat, inflamed eyes or conjunctivitis, and a skin rash. Vaccines are recommended to prevent measles, with doctors usually giving the first dose at 12 to 15 months. 

Mumps. Mumps is caused by paramyxovirus that involves pain, tenderness, and swelling in the parotid salivary glands in the cheek and jaw area. It is a contagious disease that can be transmitted through direct contact, saliva, or droplets from an infected person. According to CDC, vaccination is the best way to prevent the disease. It is usually included in the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine combination administered during the 12 to 15 months. A second dose is also advised when a child reaches four to six years old. Mumps can still appear on fully vaccinated individuals but they are less likely to have severe complications.

German Measles. German Measles, also known as rubella, is a viral infection that can spread from one person to another through direct contact or droplets from an infected person. It is a highly contagious disease common in children ages five to nine years old. It is recommended for children between 12 to 15 months old to get the rubella vaccine to prevent the disease. Children are also advised to get a booster shot when they reach four to six years old.

Polio. Polio, short for poliomyelitis, is a potentially fatal disease caused by the poliovirus. This illness gives flu-like symptoms including sore throat, fever, tiredness, and nausea. More serious cases affect the brain and spinal cord and lead to paralysis. The polio vaccine is recognized to protect children, with the CDC noting that 99 kids out of 100 who have been inoculated will be shielded from this disease.

Hepatitis. This is an inflammatory condition of the liver caused by a viral infection due to contaminated food and water or direct contact with infected blood. There are five types of hepatitis: A is an acute, short-term disease, while B, C, D, and E can be chronic. 

Chickenpox. Chickenpox is a disease caused by a virus. It results in an itchy blister-like rash that spreads over the entire body. The disease can be life-threatening and highly contagious. According to the CDC, up to 90% of the people surrounding someone who has it will become infected if they are not immune. Two doses of the vaccine are more than 90% effective in preventing chickenpox.

Vaccines normally come with side effects that can be reduced with medication. One common side effect is fever. Children who experience fever after vaccination can rely on Paracetamol Calpol for Kids.

Paracetamol Calpol for Kids has been trusted by parents globally for many years to alleviate mild to moderate fever associated after a vaccine shot. It starts to relieve fever in just 15 minutes. Paracetamol Calpol for Kids also eases fever and pain discomfort related to toothaches, headaches, migraine, muscle ache, sore throat and musculoskeletal pain. 

Paracetamol Calpol for Kids provides fast fever relief and is gentle on delicate tummies. It comes in different variants and delicious flavors for kids of all ages:

• 0-2 years old: Calpol Infant Drops Orange 10ml

• 2-6 years old: Calpol Suspension Strawberry 60ml and 120ml

• 6-12 years old: Calpol Suspension Orange 60ml and 120ml

To know more about Paracetamol Calpol for Kids and our special offers and events, visit calpol.com.ph and follow facebook.com/CalpolPH. For questions, please contact us at 1800-89088275 / 1800-14410884 and ph.customer-relations@gsk.com.