CANDY PANGILINAN is back in the house where she grew up as a kid, and it?s all because of her own son Quentin.

?It is best for Quentin to be surrounded by people who understand his condition and [who can] shower him with tender loving care,? said Candy Pangilinan of her decision to live with her mom Doris and sister Em-em in a house in Vasra Village, Quezon City.

Quentin, 6, has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD. He was diagnosed when he was just a year old.

?When I go abroad for shows, I feel secure knowing that my son is in good hands. I?m not comfortable leaving Quentin with the household help. They may not be as patient with him as my mom or my sister,? said Candy, a single parent.

Candy used to live in a three-story home in Sanville Village, also in Quezon City. In 2003, after she and Quentin?s father separated, Candy moved back to the Vasra home. ?At the time, Quentin?s doctors told me he wasn?t ready to go up and down the stairs. This single level house suits him perfectly,? Candy told Living Stars.

At his age, she said, Quentin was slowly starting to understand what Christmas means. ?This is why we prepare as early as September. We get him involved in decorating the house. He used to look confused whenever we exchanged gifts, because he thought gifts were only for birthdays. We told him it?s Jesus? birthday, and all the gifts are from Him.?

Busiest time

Christmas is the busiest time of the year for the family, Candy said. ?All my siblings and their kids will be here on Christmas Eve. We will play games, have dinner and open gifts. We will give a prize for the best dessert this year. My older nieces will be competing. The next day, my friends and my mom?s will come over for lunch. Mahilig kaming mag-ampon [We like to adopt], so friends of ours whose families are living abroad are welcome to spend Christmas Day with us.?

4 Xmas trees

Candy?s mom, an interior designer, changes the house décor every quarter. ?This Christmas, she really got busy,? said the comedienne. ?On her orders, we set up four Christmas trees in different parts of the house. Every tree had a color scheme. The one in the living room has bronze, white and silver ornaments; the tree in the garage, pink, silver and lavender. The one in my office is decorated in blue and silver; the one in the lanai, white.?

This year, a Nativity Scene was set up in the garden. Small white lanterns hang in the lanai area and a buffet table stands in a corner of the garage. ?This house always has visitors, especially in the ?ber? months. We have eight sets of tables and chairs, always prepared for impromptu parties.?