How Jim And Saab Magalona Bacarro Are Raising Kind Humans

Ever since Jim Bacarro and Saab Magalona tied the knot in January 2015, Smart Parenting has covered most of their milestones up to this day. Through their pregnancies, losing Baby Luna, and launching Puddy Rock, our readers cheered and stood by this millennial couple whose lives are like an open book.

A decade after, as Smart Parenting's February 2025 cover family, it was a full circle moment when as we asked the well-loved podcasting parents, what it's like raising their two sons, Pancho and Vito, as kind human beings who take after them.

Waking up with Jim, Saab, Pancho, and Vito

As if there's a typical day for the Bacarros, Jim shared what's it like in their home. They start their day by having Saab, as the morning person, prepare the kids for school, while Jim, who's in-charge of dinner, sleeps some more. Their careers as business owners afford them flexibility, allowing them to carve out special moments with their children throughout the day.

"Pancho likes playing the guitar, and Vito loves playing the drums and singing," Jim shares. "In the afternoon, sometimes Saab does an activity with them, and then I cook dinner while she and the kids play. Then nighttime routine na."

This seamless give-and-take is where they anchor their parenting. "I love letting Jim sleep a little longer because I know he needs it," Saab adds. "He, in turn, is fully present with the kids in the evenings. I think that's great teamwork."

When their schedules allow it, they go for a quick lunch date at the mall, where they don't talk about business. This is one way for them to keep the spark alive.

Learning from their children

Their firstborn, Pancho, recently turned seven, "I've learned to keep checking my energy because he picks up on it," Saab reflects on his son, who has shown progress in his speech and mobility despite living with cerebral palsy. "I've seen how healing it is to have positive energy around him. It is magic for him, and it translates to his development. If I'm a happy mom, he'll be a happy kid."

For Jim, Pancho has always taught them that "love is a language in itself." He explains, "When I'm trying to decipher what he feels it's an act of love itself. And him reciprocating that reminds me that there are different ways to say I love you." He shares that when they start Pancho's therapy session with him making jokes, he feels better than when they don't.

"I think we are witnessing a lot of world leaders who may have been raised to feel very powerless. That's why they become power-hungry. Our generation of parents wants to break that cycle." —Saab Magalona Bacarro

Meanwhile, Vito, a big Beatles fan who turns six this year, has given them different insights. Saab admits that she sees herself in her younger son. "When he's impatient, it reminds me of me—not just as a child, but even to this day," she says. "He's been a catalyst for me to get to know my inner child and work on my emotional regulation."

Jim, meanwhile, sees Vito as a reminder of how fleeting moments are. "I get so depressed when it's nighttime; he's so smart, and he literally has a mind of his own. When I say depressed, I mean I don't want it ever to end." He says Vito has taught him to be comfortable with his vulnerability. "If Saab sees a side of her in Vito, I see in him a version of me that I wish I had [growing up]," he says.

Raising kind humans

As millennial parents raising children in the digital world, Jim and Saab emphasize that kindness is a core value they want their kids to have. "When we first talked about faith, we agreed it's never about religion—it's about love and kindness," Jim says.

Their venture, Puddy Rock, is also about kindness. "Through songs, the characters, and the play space, it tries to evoke all those things," he explains. "It's not supposed to be complex.  It's supposed to be kind. Be loving. Save the world by being kind."

"That's our dream for our kids, that they help save the world," Jim added.

"If there is one thing that I'm very deliberate about, it's showing them that the manliest thing to do is to be sweet, vulnerable, and kind." —Jim Bacarro

Saab believes raising kind and emotionally secure children is important if we want to have better leaders. "I think we are witnessing a lot of world leaders who may have been raised to feel very powerless. That's why they become power-hungry. Our generation of parents wants to break that cycle," she shares.

Jim chimes in, "And that's why our message in Puddy Rock is You are you. That's our theme song. That's our main message. We want our kids to be accepting, to love, and to be kind."

Advocating for ADHD Awareness

Saab's passion for parenting extends beyond her family and their home. Having been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) when she was already a mom of two, she launched Chaos Control Club, an ADHD coaching membership, to support others facing similar challenges.

"With all the mental load that comes with being a parent, it can get really overwhelming," she shares. What helped her, she says, was seeking professional help through treatment and coaching. "A lot of women often go undiagnosed [with ADHD] because it shows up differently in us. I want other Filipinas to know there's nothing wrong with them. They need to understand how their brains work, and I would love to be here to coach you. I feel like this is what I was meant to do."

Embracing vulnerabilities

As a father raising two sons, Jim is intentional about being a model of someone who is not afraid to be vulnerable. "I don't feel the pressure because Saab is such a strong presence. I truly believe that strong and great men come from a place of love."

He explains, "If Vito asks me, 'Papa, why is your face like that?' I say it. I express myself without saying it's his fault. But I do I let him know I'm having a tough day. That's how we teach them about emotions."

Jim also ensures his kids see his love for Saab. "I always try to show them 'yung public display of affection (PDA) ko with Saab. Because I want to show them,  this is how much I love your mom. So, if there is one thing that I'm very deliberate about, it's showing them that the manliest thing to do is to be sweet, vulnerable, and kind.

Passing on love

Through their parenting journey, Jim and Saab show us that raising children who feel deeply loved should be the goal of every parent. Their approach is not about perfection but about showing up with love, embracing each moment, and modeling kindness in their everyday lives. As they grow as parents, their ultimate hope is for their children to spread that same love into the world.

Watch Usap Tayo with Jim and Saab here:

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Photography by Ronan Capili
Makeup by Jill Felix
Hairstyle by Merlette Bucatan
Styling by Debra Bernales
Editor-in-Chief: Ronna Capili Bonifacio
Assisted by Em Cruz and Iya Merquita
Creative Direction by Stephanie Ocampo
Associate Video Director: Cherrie Julian
Videographers: Rolando Pingco Jr. and Richford Unciano
Video Editor: Rolando Pingco Jr.
Shoot Assistant: Alfred Locsin
Social Media by Zen Arganda
Associate Publisher: Bettina Santos
Interview by Judy Santiago-Aladin

Special thanks to Gingersnaps

Shot on location at Puddy Rock Studio