Award-winning young actor Jiro Manio hopes to see his grandmother in Japan, according to his foster father.
A seemingly depressed Jiro Manio went to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) on Tuesday hoping to see his grandmother living in Japan who would not really arrive, the multi-awarded actor’s foster father said on Thursday.
“Iniisip niya na darating ang ‘mommy lola’ niya. Hindi naman po dadating talaga ‘yun eh, nasa Japan po,” said Andrew Manio in an interview with “Aquino and Abunda Tonight.”
The older Manio said a misunderstanding with the young actor had prompted the latter to leave their home in Cainta, Rizal.
• Multi-awarded actor Jiro Manio now roaming Naia for food, clothes
“Medyo po nagkasamaan kami ng loob kaya umalis siya ng bahay. Nag-iisip siya. Sabi ko sa kanya, ‘ano ba iniisip mo?’ Sabi niya sa akin, ‘huwag mo nga akong pakialaman.’ ‘Wag mo nga ako anak binabastos, hindi mo na ako ginagalang, lahat kami dito binabastos mo,” he said.
Clad in shirt, shorts, and slippers, the younger Manio was seen roaming Naia’s Terminal 3 lobby for four days, asking for food from fast-food restaurants.
He was taken into custody by airport police and treated for scratches and wounds by the airport’s medical staff before being fetched by his younger brother and a cousin on Wednesday.
• Jiro Manio treated for scratches and wounds
But the older Manio said the actor did not stay in their home: “Doon po siya nagpunta sa bahay ng teacher niya nung high school.”
He added that the wounds and scratches found on his stepson’s body were self-inflicted.
• Actor Jiro Manio taken into custody by airport police
While clarifying that the former child star was not under the influence of drugs, he said the actor appeared to be depressed for the past days.
“Para siyang depressed … Pinagdadaanan niya ‘yung depression po kaiisip,” he said.
• Jiro Manio reunites with relatives
The 23-year-old “Magnifico” star, whose real name is Jiro Katakura, was born to a Japanese father, whom the older Manio said the actor had no communication with since birth.
“Sana tulungan niya ‘yung sarili niya na gumaling, at sana magbalik siya sa dating gawain,” he said.