Luis Manzano opens up about fears, best part of fatherhood: ‘It’s a very overwhelming journey’

Luis Manzano got real about being a father to their firstborn, Rosie.

Sitting down with his wife, actress Jessy Mendiola on his special Father’s Day vlog, Luis expressed how his fatherhood journey has been “very overwhelming” while at the same time, rewarding whenever he sees their daughter, Rosie, whom they fondly call “Peanut.” 

“Hindi ko inexpect na ganito ka overwhelming. Hindi ko lang pinapahalata sa iyo pero actually alam mo na may mga moments na naiiyak ako kay Peanut. Nandoon pa rin tayo,” he began. 

“I still find myself in awe na nakagawa tayo, nakapagbigay ng ganoong klase ng buhay na nabigyan tayo ni Lord ng magandang buhay,” he continued, sharing how he becomes emotional whenever he thinks about how fast Rosie grows and their father-daughter rituals like morning kisses.  

Luis also shared how fatherhood has made him become more driven to work hard to provide for his family. 

“Now I’m more driven, gusto ko rin magsipag. Bilang isang tatay at asawa, magiging realist ka. Dati kasi yung gastusin andiyan lang, ngayon iniisip mo na [lahat ng gastusin], naiisip mo na kasi as a provider,” he said. 

He tells Jessy, “I’m more driven sa mga kailangan ko gawin para sa inyo, not just pera, but my responsibilities.” 

The TV host shared how he learned to balance his work and family life, taking experiences from his parents during his childhood. 

“Okay lang maging busy, pero hindi maging absent sa buhay,” he said, adding, “’Pag kunwari lumaki na si Peanut, kahit anong busy ko kapag sinabi niyang ‘Papa may school play ako, Papa may intramurals ako’...I’ll be there.” 

Luis also got real about his fears as a father.  

“The biggest challenge is the fear of the unknown. As much as gusto ko sabihin na gusto ko ilatag ang future ninyo, hindi naman natin alam ano mangyayari bukas. Morbid man pakinggan, gusto ko i-pave yung way na kapag dumating yung oras na kapag tinawag na ‘yung number ko, you guys will be okay,” he said. 

He added: “But while I’m still paving that road, pinaghahandaan natin yung hindi man yung may sariling eroplano, but I want you to be okay pero that’s the biggest challenge dahil habang pini-pave mo iyon, wala tayong kasiguraduhan kung ano mangyayari kinabukasan.”