In celebration of Smart Parenting's 20th year, we are launching the 11 dads who have been redefining what fatherhood means for Filipino families. Often given the role of the breadwinner and provider, get to know this new breed of dads who say that being hands-on with their kids is their greatest gift and that having a support system doesn't make you less of a man.
You'll find in this year's roster of dad influencers an actor and a dancerist whose dad bod you might have seen a couple of times already on TikTok.
A pilot, a marriage coach, a blogger, an events host - all of them wearing different hats - but at home, they wear their favorite one - the one that gives them the title of "dad."
Meet The Smart Parenting Dad Squad 2023
Boom Domingo, dad of 3The Flying Daddy of Mandaluyong
Boom Domingo on being a member of the Smart Parenting Dad squad: I am able to gain more friends, whom I relate to and exchange experiences with.
For busy daddy Boom Domingo who works as a pilot, Smart Parenting provides him a readily available resource on parenting topics and more. "Smart Parenting helps me learn how to discipline and handle my kids even if they don’t see me everyday because of my job," Boom said.
The 42-year-old dad says Smart Parenting's editor-at-large Joey Ong's story about hazing for brotherhood made a mark on him. He shares his takeaway, "Teach your kids grit but never through violence. You don’t need to be a part of a brotherhood if they would hurt you physically or mentally to be accepted. Always have heart-to-heart talks with your children so they would not be afraid to open up to you."
"A smart parent is someone who knows how to be a father and when to be a friend." Boom Domingo
Being a part of the Facebook group Smart Parenting Village meanwhile taught him different approaches and strategies on how to raise good and responsible children, "It also showed me that I am not alone in the daily struggles with my kids and parents in the group help each other through their experiences."
Follow Boom Domingo on Instagram and TikTok.
Dale Camandang, dad of oneThe Sizzling Single Daddy of Cavite
"It feels like I represent the new breed of dads," Dale Camandang said when asked how he feels about being part of the Smart Parenting Dad Squad.
For a free-spirited and very chill kind of dad like Dale, who is raising a teenager, he says that Smart Parenting adds color to his parenting experience.
"Being a smart parent means being open to failures and making them right." Dale Camandang
The 38-year-old dad from Cavite says he loves reading feature stories about real parents and couples. He also appreciates being part of the Smart Parenting Village, where he can share comments and support his fellow parents.
Follow Dale Camandang on Instagram and TikTok.
Dreus Cosio, dad of twoMarriage Coach Dad of Laguna
Dreus Cosio on what he loves about being part of Smart Parenting Dad Squad: A support group with fellow dads. Access to mentors. Also opportunities, exposure, and avenue to give and receive value.
One would usually find Dreus sharing his valuable insights at the Smart Parenting Village, and he says it's because he enjoys taking the time and contributing to this group. "Knowing that you are not alone and there are other parents who have the same experience or season as you with your kids and family," he explains. "It gave us confidence in parenting, trusting every step of the way," he added.
Dreus, who is the half of the Love Connect Podcast with The Co-Show says, "Smart Parenting gave us a support community, learning and sharing from different parents." He added, being able to connect with parents and seeing different ways how to express parenting with the same values and beliefs has influenced his parenting of his two kids.
"Smart Parenting means embracing fully your call as a parent." Dreus Cosio
The 42-year-old dad from Santa Rosa, Laguna enjoys reading articles on how families create their businesses and side hustles, and even stories about building beautiful homes from small lots or farmlands.
Follow Dreus Cosio on Instagram and TikTok.
Edroy Lim, dad of oneHost Dad of Pasig City
Edroy loves this about being part of the Smart Parenting Dad Squad: I get to reach out and help other people in their parenting journey.
A renowned events host and live streamer, Edroy says Smart Parenting helps him not only to gather new ideas on how to be a better parent but also to be a better husband.
"Being a smart parent to me is being open to learning and adjusting my parenting style." Edroy Lim
"It has helped me to be up-to-date on how to parent the current generation," the 40-year-old dad says. Meanwhile, Edroy pays it forward by being part of our Facebook community, "I get to reach out and help other people in their parenting journey."
Follow Edroy Lim on Instagram.
Ivan Jose, dad of twoPractical Dad of Quezon City
Ivan Jose said this is his favorite thing about being part of the Smart Parenting Dad Squad: "Learning from my fellow parents."
Raising two sons who are aged 5 and 3, Ivan said he's learned many important parenting lessons from Smart Parenting articles.
"Smart Parenting is being practical and learning to trust your instincts." Ivan Jose
In particular, he loves content under the Toddler sub-section, "It’s about trying to understand your toddler why they do particular things, at times the opposite of what you tell them not to do."
Follow Ivan Jose on Instagram and TikTok.
Jal Galang, dad of oneThe All-Around Actor Dad of Pasig City
Take it from Jal Galang when he reveals what he loves most about being part of the Smart Parenting Dad Squad: It's the tips, perks, and experience I guess.
We love Jal's answer when we asked him how Smart Parenting helped him shape his parenting through the years. "It influenced me [on] how to be a dad without stressing too much [about] being a parent."
"A smart parent is a parent who's always present for your family." Jal Galang
The 33-year-old star of the web series "Nang Mawalan Ng Saysay (Si Cy)" shared what it means to be a smart parent. "It's being a parent that's always present for your family and not stressing too much on the given problems, just finding solutions and working all together to solve them and make everything count!" said Jal.
Follow Jal Galang on Instagram and TikTok.
Jing Ruiz, dad of twoThe TikTok Daddy of Cavite
Jing Ruiz on what he feels about being part of the Smart Parenting Dad Squad: I was able to share my knowledge [with] every parent and inspire them to become the best parents they can be.
A good reason why you should join the Smart Parenting Village is that you'll get first dibs on funny and relatable content from Jing Ruiz. He said, his membership in the Village led him to "see differences in every kid and parent, and know that everyone is different."
With over 100K followers on TikTok, the 31-year-old dad from Bacoor, Cavite knows how to entertain and inspire with his fun dad content.
"A smart parent is creative." Jing Ruiz
Jing shares, "Smart Parenting helped me in terms of knowing other styles of parenting that I was able to apply with my kids." As a dad of little kids aged 3 and 6 months old, Jing appreciates having an accessible resource where topics like screen time and Cocomelon are discussed.
Follow Jing Ruiz on Instagram and TikTok.
Joma Vicencio, dad of twoThe Blogger Dad of Manila
For Papa Jomsi, being part of the Smart Parenting Mom and Dad Squad is being part of a group of open-minded dads and moms.
One of the freshest members of the Smart Parenting Dad Squad, Joma or Papa Jomsi in the online world believes that being a hands-on parent is his greatest achievement. He freely and generously shares tips not only on how to be a good father but also a good husband.
"Being a smart parent is being an informed parent." Joma Vicencio
Through Smart Parenting, the 40-year-old dad said he was able to gain additional insights and advice on being an involved parent.
Meanwhile, at the Smart Parenting Village, Papa Jomsi said it's a space where he gets to see the other comments and problems of parents which he also learns from.
Follow Papa Jomsi Vicencio on Instagram and TikTok.
Jonathan Uy, dad of twoDaddy Foodie of Quezon City
For Jonathan, being an Smart Parenting Dad Squad member reminds him that every parenting [style] is unique. "What works for me as a dad doesn't mean it is absolute and applies to all. We are a squad, but we are unique and have different ideas on how to nurture our children."
Through the years, Jonathan said Smart Parenting has been his trusted parenting resource, "I learned a lot of tips about good upbringing and how to understand my kids." He added he subscribes to Smart Parenting's celebrity editor-at-large Rica Peralejo Bonifacio's Poprica. "I totally can relate to Rica Peralejo's kind of parenting. She is very vocal about debunking some myths and stigma against modern moms and dads," he said.
For this 38-year-old dad, he defines a smart parent as "someone who is wise enough to understand how parenting has evolved over the years and has to adapt to changes and become more open to the new generation."
"What works for me as a dad doesn't mean it is absolute and applies to all." Jonathan Uy
As the leader of the pack of Team Uy, he appreciates being part of a support system like the Smart Parenting Village. "I got to share and get insights from other parents and, in a way, I discover and apply some tips on how to take care of my family."
Follow Jonathan Uy on Instagram and TikTok.
JPaul Hernandez, dad of oneThe Corpo Coach Dad of San Juan
JPaul loves this about being part of the Smart Parenting Dad Squad: The power of a tribe, where I can see other dads caring about their family life while pursuing their mission, and careers and providing for their family.
For JPaul, Smart Parenting has helped him, in his words, to get out of the boring limits of being a dad. He puts it firmly, "It pushed me to still dream, move forward, and be active in life while being a present father."
"Smart Parenting is a platform where I can inspire people to prioritize marriage and family life." JPaul Hernandez
His favorite Smart Parenting feature is the one where his wife, Viv Hernandez, opened up about losing her self-worth after becoming a mom.
Meanwhile, he believes that Smart Parenting is not only for parents, "Some people who are thinking about marriage and parenting can learn from this platform too."
Follow JPaul Hernandez on Instagram and TikTok.
Richard Jonathan "RJ" de Claro, dad of twoThe Dancerist Daddy of Quezon City
For RJ de Claro, the best part of being part of the Smart Parenting Dad Squad is that he can share his family experiences, and how to handle things or situations and learn with the other members too.
You would see RJ flaunting his dad bod on TikTok, and it has earned him more than half a million followers and almost five million likes on his dancing dad content.
"Smart Parenting is being straight, specific, and gentle." RJ de Claro
RJ reveals, Smart Parenting has helped him to become a practical dad, "It guides me to have more simple ways of being a parent." Some of his favorite content from the site is also helpful and easily digestible content like choosing over-the-counter medicines for his kids.
As one of the newest members of the Smart Parenting Dad Squad, RJ loves being part of the Smart Parenting Village too. "You can actually relate to other parent's situations, and realize that you are not alone," he said.
Follow RJ de Claro on Instagram and TikTok.
Get to know the 18 trailblazing moms who make up this year's Smart Parenting Mom Squad here.
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Profiles by Judy Santiago Aladin
Art by Maria Stephanie Ocampo
Influencer Relationship Specialist: Riri Cheng
Marketing Specialist: Marie Bilgera
Social Media Strategy: Romae Zen Arganda
Acting Editor-in-Chief: Ronna Capili Bonifacio
Publisher: Iza Santos-Cuyos
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