By now you’ve probably seen the photo Julius Babao shared on Instagram which sparked controversy.
At first glance, it looks like any other Instagram post by someone witnessing an important moment in their friend’s life but many netizens were apparently bothered by it.
In the photo, we see Perfume magnate Joel Cruz flanked by his family during his twin sons’ Christening of his new twins. What got people talking was apparently the nannies who were wearing masks as they carried the twin boys.
The adorable Prince Harry and Prince Harvey look calm carried by two nannies. But why did they have to wear masks at all? Was there discriminatory treatment going on?
The photo quickly became controversial, drawing strong reactions from netizens who expressed concern about the possible maltreatment of the twins’ caregivers.
Joel Cruz finally broke his silence on the alleged discrimination.
The reason they needed to wear masks, explained Joel to ABS-CBN News, was because the pediatrician advised them to.
Since they were born via in vitro fertilization and have never been breastfed, more measures need to be taken to protect them from infection due to their weaker immune system.
His first set of twins Prince Sean and Princess Synne were also conceived via IVF and carried by the same 32-year-old Russian mother of his new twin boys.
Life as a single father
The CEO of Aficionado perfume told ABS-CBN that as a single father who is helming a rapidly growing perfume empire, his schedule is often packed but he stresses that he doesn’t want to neglect caring for his kids.
“Ayaw kong maging pabaya sa kanilang lahat at sinusunod ko lang din po ang advise ng pediatrician na mag-mask kami,” explains Joel.
This mask-wearing rule applies to both nurses and nannies or anyone who comes into close contact with the twins until they are two years old.
He further defended his decision by citing the many benefits of taking necessary precautions not only for the health and safety of his kids but of their nannies as well.
“Pagmamahal, pag-unawa, pag-asikaso at respeto ang binibigay ko po sa lahat ng tao,” affrims Joel. “Ganon rin sa aking mga empleyado at mga nanny.”
It’s natural for things to get misunderstood or taken out of context in social media so it’s important to give these closely watched celebrities and influencers the benefit of the doubt.
There is a story behind every photo and it’s not always the one we’d expect.
READ: Solo Parents Welfare Act: Know The Benefits You’re Entitled To
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