Fatherhood changed Luis Manzano in ways he couldn't even imagine before Rosie Manzano came into his life. The *girl dad* opens up about the lessons he's gathered so far in the June 2024 cover feature of Smart Parenting.
Luis Manzano Reflects On Fatherhood In Latest Interview
The Happy-Go-Lucky Persona Meets Its Match
Luis will always be the one with the jokes. His interview with Smart Parenting immediately starts off with how he's only second-fiddle in Rosie's affections. "I post about it na tinatawag ko nga 'yung dakila na ako yung kapitbahay ni Peanut. Pero recently I’ve been promoted, this time hardinero na ako. Nakakapasok na ako ng lote pero hindi pa yung bahay."
Nevertheless, being a good father is the top priority in Luis' life. It is clear in his point of view and his career options. Luis said, "Sabi ko nga, before Peanut came, I was an idealist. And this is not just in the financials or anything as a provider. I was one of those people na forever optimistic. I always believe in the goodness of people. Everyone has that innate goodness and is bound to go to heaven. Then when you have a child, you become a realist in so many ways."
He then talked about how not everyone has the best in mind for his daughter, "There are certain responsibilities that you suddenly have to consider even more. At the same time, consider what the world really is. It’s not just, ‘Ay, bigla na lang dadagdag ang gastos ko.’ But you realize na 'Okay, baka these people don’t have the best intention sa anak ko, sa family ko.' So that was a game changer para sa akin."
Rosie, also lovingly known as Peanut, came to Luis and wife Jessy Mendiola's life on December 28, 2022.
How Rosie Affects Luis And His Career
Luis also talked about how Peanut puts the right breaks in accepting work opportunities. He admitted that time with Peanut and Jessy comes into consideration when he is offered a project.
He said, "Even if I was already married. But you realize na you really have to slow down to appreciate every day with your family. I’m still working a lot pero you still have to put in the effort. One thing my dad will always say and one thing we always hear when it comes to time, it’s always quality over quantity. But my dad said, truth be told, it’s also quantity."
Luis' father is veteran actor Edu Manzano.
Luis also thinks about how money affects his family when accepting offers. To find balance, the gig with a bigger check wins. Not for the same reasons it would when Luis was a bachelor, though.
"For example, I think it was last month, I was working the whole week tapos may tinahi ako na two hostings in a day. Magkasunod, one in the morning, one in the evening. So okay naman sa akin. It was good pay. So it gives you a bit of leeway to be able to say, okay medyo may pumasok naman so I can spend a day with my family or I’ll take them out or we can go somewhere."
A Girl Dad Meets His Kind Of Daddy's Girl
It looks like Luis always finds ways for the best compromise in all aspects. Jessy may be Peanut's favorite parent currently, but Luis knows it's because Peanut is truly her father's daughter. "Pilya siya, personality wise. Definitely a Manzano. For example, lalambingin mo, kiss kiss, she’s gonna run to you. 'Pag palambing ka na, biglang she runs away laughing."
He affirmed that Peanut's sense of humor and being pilya is definitely from his bloodline. "It’s a Manzano trait. Yung pagiging sobrang nang-aasar. And I wouldn’t be surprised na when she starts talking na, mapang-asar na tao ito."
