Luis Manzano’s Greatest Fear Is ‘Not Being Able To Provide’ For Family

Luis Manzano often comes across as goofy and funny in his social media accounts and vlogs, but it seems that just like any parent, he’s also dealing with the realities of modern fatherhood. In an interview with Smart Parenting Editor-at-Large Rica Peralejo-Bonifacio, the actor-host and dad discussed the burdens and emotional intricacies that fathers face in parenting, shedding light on the unseen pressures and joys of being a dad.

Luis as a girl-dad

Luis admits that he and wife, actress Jessy Mendiola, are still navigating the early stages of raising their daughter Rosie, affectionately called Peanut. Reflecting on the journey they still have before them, he remarked, “Bagets pa siya, so kung baga, a long way to go. So many more days, months, years of learning. Sabi ko, hindi ko pa na-imagine na dadating siya sa harap ko, may papakilala na nangliligaw sa kanya o kaya darating may papakilala na boyfriend.” He added humorously, “Pero sinabi ko din sa kanya… I have to be very, Peanut pag napanood mo ito, I apologize but I have to be very firm sa bahay. Hindi ako tatanggap ng mangliligaw sa bahay unless Gokongwei, Razon, o Tan ang mga apelyido nila.”

Balancing work with parenting

Luis described how he balances his professional obligations and his role as a father. “It all depends on your household,” he said. “For example ako, medyo mas marami akong trabaho kay HowHow [Jessy], so it’s understandable if ako yung mas nasa labas ng bahay. But every time nasa bahay ako, ang goal namin is pagkagising, it’s either she brings Peanut to me or maglambingan muna kami ni Peanut.”

Burdens of fatherhood

Luis then shared his greatest fear: the possibility of not being able to provide for his family. “The reality of not being able to provide. Para sa akin, hindi ko kailangan magbigay ng sobrang marangyang buhay. Parang we just want a comfortable life na happy kami, happy mga tao sa paligid.”

This shows that despite evolving societal roles, the traditional expectation for fathers to be the main providers persists, adding pressure and stress. This burden often remains unspoken but can profoundly impact the mental and emotional well-being of fathers.

Parenting style

Luis admitted that he and Jessy are a team when it comes to raising Peanut, saying, “So far kay Peanut, kami ni Jessy, I have to give proper credit to Jessy. Ganon din kung papaano ang atake ko, ganon din siya. We have a common goal na gusto namin na maging ugali, personality ni Peanut.”

He also admitted that he can be OA especially when it comes to health issues: “I have to give it to Jessy because I’m the more OA one. For the very first time na nagkasakit si Peanut, she had a fever and slight colds, si Jessy naman, nagka-COVID. Sabay ito ha. Nasa guest room ako, si How (Jessy), naka-quarantine. Tapos si Peanut, if anything were to happen, God forbid, hindi naman siya pwede lumapit kasi it might make things worse for Peanut. So, challenge yung pagiging OA ko doon.”

When it comes to his parenting style, Luis admitted that he’s very affectionate, which he said might be from his mom, politician and actress Vilma Santos-Recto, stepdad, politician and current Secretary of Finance, Ralph Recto, and dad, actor Edu Manzano. “We’ve always been a very malambing family, we’re very affectionate and vocal. In fact, the first month of two with Peanut, whenever ilalabas namin sa vlog, maraming comments asking, ‘Bakit I love you nang I love you si Luis?’ So yun yung nakita ko, my dad and I, we hug and kiss. Si Tito Ralph din. You can see how intense his love is for Peanut.

“So it was never something na siguro I consciously got from mommy, daddy, or Tito Ralph. It was more of that’s the environment I grew up in. So yung yung automatically napapasa ko kay Peanut.”

Raising Peanut

When Rica asked about the values they are instilling to Peanut, Luis referred to an old Steve Martin movie, Father of the Bride. “He said something na parang at one point in life you have to let your children go into the world. You will have to let them experience the good and the bad.

“And para sa akin, naniniwala ako na lahat tayo nagkamali at one point. Lahat ng mga anak natin magkakamali rin at one point. But you always hope and pray that you raise them well enough, na yun ang babalikan nila. Na kahit mapaligiran sila ng whatever temptation day in and day out, they will always fall back on how you raised them. That’s what I want to instill sa kanila, that innate goodness.”

Beyond financial concerns, Luis voiced worries about the kind of person Peanut will grow up to be. “Lumaki si Peanut na hindi siya magiging blessing sa ibang tao, whatever that entails. Iyon yung fear ko na hindi ko ma-instill kay Peanut as a father.” Luis said that being a blessing for others is not just being able to share with others her financial blessings, “Whether it be nagpapatawa siya, magpapagaan siya ng buhay ng tao, or she shows compassion.”

Despite his worries, Luis remains hopeful, trusting in their family’s supportive environment. “I’d like to think that she has a good environment kay Jessy, mommy, daddy, kay Tito Ralph, na they have the best hearts. So if ever man na ako mismo ay kapusin sa department na iyon, madaming pwedeng mag-angat sa kanya to really be a blessing.”

Life lessons

When asked about the one lesson he would want Peanut to learn, Luis highlighted the importance of understanding and empathy. “This sounds weird pero this is one thing I hope she gets in life because she’s born in a very comfortable environment. I want her to learn that there’s a real world. And second, yung real world na yun, kahit iba kinalakihan mo, pantay-pantay pa rin kayong lahat.”

Luis Manzano is Smart Parenting’s June 2024 cover. Read his cover story here.