Actor Jerald Napoles says his latest movie, Instant Daddy, is "very comparable" to his real-life experiences.
Speaking to Smart Parenting via Zoom, Jerald shared that he grew up as an only child raised by a single mother.
Jerald Napoles on being raised by a single mom
"Basically, ang naging process namin, para kaming mag-barkada, mag-bestfriend. Kasi kaming dalawa lang eh. Parang one-on-one lagi kung magcoconfide, kung may kailangan, we have to solve it together," he said.
He acknowledged that growing up alone with no siblings to lean on was not easy. "Especially nung adolescence period, may mga walang choice kung hindi i-keep sa sarili as an only child."
But he remains grateful for his close relationship with his mom, who worked multiple jobs to support their family despite having only a high school education.
The film Instant Daddy is the Filipino adaptation of the 2013 Mexican film, Instructions Not Included. Jerald played the role of Valentin "Val" Roxas, a taxi driver, who had to care for a baby left in his cab. The baby would grow up to be Mirasol, played by child actress Althea Ruedas.
"Very comparable siya kasi isa lang 'yung anak nung character ko tapos single dad din siya, so particularly dun sa experience of raising a child on your own. Makikita sa pelikula yung struggles, 'yung hustle ng character bilang single parent, parehas na parehas dun sa experience ng mom ko."
READ ALSO: One And Done: Find Out How These Filipino Couples Decided To Have Only One Child
Realizations as a future dad
Jerald found parallels between his character's experience as a single parent and his mother's struggles. He said his mom would juggle four to five jobs in a month.
"Trial and error naman talaga ang pagiging magulang, ganun din yung nanay ko naalala ko. Trial and error, but then you learn from experience, and it's for the good naman." —Jerald Napoles
What worked for them is the friendship between them, which he believes is essential for parents to have to bridge the generation gap with their kids.
"You have to build a certain degree of friendship para mag-abot din yung sensibilities ng bata sa magulang, kasi malayo na yung age gap, then may mga bagay na di naiintindihan ng bata pag may sinasabi ang magulang, may mga bagay din na hindi maintindihan ng magulang pag may hinaing ang isang bata. So kung may friendship kayong mabibuild, may certain degree of trust na kailangan na pagkakatiwalaan ka ng mga sikreto, ng payo."
He continued, "We should trust also the child. Kailangan bilang magulang, hindi basta-basta mag-impose. You need to explain, para maintindihan bakit ganun yung kailangang mangyari, bakit ganun yung payo, bakit ako pinagalitan."
Playing the role of a dad in the film, Jerald shares his realizations, "Trial and error naman talaga ang pagiging magulang, ganun din 'yung nanay ko naalala ko. Trial and error, but then you learn from experience, and it's for the good naman."
Jerald, who is in a long-term relationship with fellow actress Kim Molina, expressed his desire to have children in the future.
"Especially acting with Althea. On the set, she is like my real daughter. Ganito pala 'pag may daughter! Kasi usually you would want a boy, pero iba 'yung sweetness ng daughter."
In an Instagram post, Jerald also said, "The bond that we have makes me wish to have a child like you someday. You will reach incredible heights in your career as you grow up."
Why parents should watch 'Instant Daddy'
Jerald shares why parents should watch the movie, "Ang idea kasi dito is, how far ang kaya mong tawirin o takbuhin o gapangin para lang sa mahal mo sa buhay bilang magulang at bilang anak.
For Althea, she encourages parents to watch the movie as a bonding experience with their children, "Maganda po yung movie, madaming lessons, and itong movie po kasi it shows the unconditional love ng parents sa anak nila kahit ano pang mangyari."
Althea, who started joining commercials as young as three years old and has starred in recent films such as Doll House with actor Baron Geisler, and A Very Good Girl, she has learned how to separate her characters from real-life. Although, she is happy about comments that say she and Jerald look life real-life father and daughter!
"Mas mararamdaman nila na, "Ay, parang may koneksyon talaga sila!" Mararamdaman mo na father-daughter talaga sila. Mas dagdag po siya sa bigat pagdating po sa heart drama parts," she says in jest.
When asked about her message to parents whose kids aspire to become actors, she has this to say: "I think po 'pag gusto po talaga ng anak niyo, at gusto niyo rin po, maybe, just follow your children's dreams."
Outside her acting career, Althea enjoys painting, playing musical instruments, and making arts and crafts.
Instant Daddy is currently showing in cinemas nationwide. Watch the trailer here:
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