For actor-singer Franco Laurel, there are two things that make his marriage work with Ayen Munji-Laurel – communication, and putting God at the center of their relationship.

Laurel was asked about the secret of his marriage during the online conference for ABS-CBN’s new teleserye “The Broken Marriage Vow” last Jan. 17. In this Philippine adaptation of the hit BBC drama series, as the main character, Jodi Sta. Maria as Dr. Jill Ilustre, discovered her husband’s Zanjoe Marudo’s infidelity. Laurel plays Atty. Dante Pugong, annulment lawyer and patient of Dr. Jill.

“As [cliched] as it may sound, the reason why my marriage has lasted this long is because of God. God is the center of our marriage,” Laurel said. “Really, it is just communication. Communicating with each other.”

He also believes that all spats between couples should be settled before they go to bed.

franco laurel ig — Franco Laurel. Image: Instagram/@fjlaurel

“And I also believe that you should never go to bed without fixing things kung nag-away kayo (if you had a fight). That’s how we make sure that our marriage stays strong. Just really love,” he added.

But what happens when he and his wife have fallen asleep even before they could patch things up?

“Ay, hindi talaga. Maski sa umaga ay mag-uusap kami basta maayos lang,” he said. (Oh, no, really. Even in the morning we will talk so things can be fixed.)

Franco is extremely glad to have been chosen to play the part of Atty. Pugong.

“I am very grateful to sir Deo Endrinal and Dreamscape PH for giving me the opportunity to work with them again,” he said, noting that the first time he worked with Dreamscape Entertainment was when he played Vice President Albert Hernandez in the long-running “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano.” JB

Jodi Sta. Maria finally graduates from college: ‘Never too old to reach your stars’