Rare fathers, grateful sons

KEEMPEE de Leon on dad Joey: “I should be the one to follow in his footsteps.”

These young men say they never imagined following in their fathers’ footsteps, but that’s exactly what they did. However, actors Luis Manzano, Jolo Revilla, Keempee de Leon, Sid Lucero, Bodie Cruz, and dancer-musician Gabriel Valenciano managed to find their own niches in show biz.

“To be honest, I thought dancing was just something I’d do for fun. Never in my wildest dreams did I think [my dad and I would] tour the world together just doing what we enjoy best,” said Gab, who just came home from the United States following a five–city tour of “As 1,” which featured his dad Gary and also Martin Nievera.

Jose Angelo Gabriel Pangilinan Valenciano, 23, is the second of Gary’s three kids with wife Angeli Pangilinan. Gab first performed publicly with his dad in a series of shows at the Music Museum in 2003.

Bodie, son of character actor Tirso Cruz III, tried acting when he was younger but didn’t like it. “I was just 10 when I joined (the gag show) ‘Ang TV.’ It wasn’t my trip—and I was extremely shy—so I quit. I decided that show business wasn’t for me,” he said.

Elmo Jeremiah Ynchausti Cruz, 25, took up Computer Science at the De La Salle University. He was working as a software developer in a large computer firm when he decided to join the reality show “Pinoy Big Brother” in 2007. He’s been in numerous television shows since.

Last thing

“It was the last thing I wanted,” claimed actor Mark Gil’s son, Sid, about joining the biz. But after attending an acting workshop with Peque Gallaga and Gabby Fernandez in 2003, Sid knew that acting was what he wanted to do “for the rest of my life.”

MARK Gil and sons Sid Lucero and Gabby Eigenmann: “My dad’s a clown.”

Timothy Mark Pimentel Eigenmann is now Sid Lucero, who’s career began with the GMA 7 drama series “Hanggang Kailan” (2004). He has since appeared on other TV shows and in the movies, notably the indie film “Selda,” which won for him two best actor trophies.

The Eigenmann clan is possibly the biggest in show biz. Sid’s younger sister, Andi, was the star of the phenomenal hit series “Agua Bendita” on ABS-CBN. Sid and his brother, Gabby, are now contract artists of GMA 7. Veteran actors Cherie Gil and Michael de Mesa are his aunt and uncle.

Screen name

So much pressure goes with the surname, Sid admitted. “But I’m proud to be an Eigenmann, and especially being referred to as the son of Mark Gil.” The 30-year-old actor said his screen name was dad’s idea. “He told me that Angelina Jolie, daughter of Jon Voight, uses a different name.” The name Sid Lucero was taken from Mark’s character in the landmark Mike de Leon film, “Batch ‘81.”

JOLO Revilla with father Bong Revilla: “I cannot be an inferior version of my father.”

Jolo, son of Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. and Bacoor, Cavite Representative Lani Mercado, admitted he is still in the process of molding his show biz identity. “I know that my time will come. Right now, I don’t mind being compared to Papa; it’s inevitable,” said Jolo, 23, or Jose Lorenzo Bautista in real life. “In fact, it inspires me to do my best. I can’t be an inferior version of my father.”

Like his actor parents, who are both public servants now, Jolo is a member of the Cavite Provincial Board and president of the Association of Barangay Captains Provincial Federation. He has a 6-year-old son, Gab, with Grace Adriano.

Luis, son of actor-TV host Edu Manzano, shares Jolo’s views. “I have no problem being called my father’s son,” Luis said. “I’m proud of that. I always encounter people, who say they are friends of my dad’s, and they have only good words to say about him.”

Edu as ‘homie’

LUIS and Edu Manzano talk about “anything and everything.”

Luis Philippe Santos Manzano, 31, first appeared on television in 2004 and in the movies in 2006. His most successful film to date is the 2009 drama “In My Life,” which also features his mom, Batangas Governor Vilma Santos. Luis and Edu first appeared together in a TV commercial for a brand of instant noodles in 2003.

Luis said he has never had any disagreements with his dad. “I consider him one of the guys you’d call ‘hommies.’ We talk about everything— girls, sports… anything, from the silly to the most serious.”

Keempee likewise considers it a compliment to be compared to his dad, veteran comedian and TV host Joey de Leon. Kempee said this has been the case since he started making films in the 1980s.

“I can never surpass my dad’s accomplishments. He’s very witty. Iba ang character n’ya,” said Keempee, whose mother is actress Daria Ramirez. “I’m honored to be following in his footsteps. ‘Di baleng anak ang gumaya sa ama kesa ibang tao pa ang gumaya sa tatay ko.”

Try everything

Keempee added: “I can never forget something my dad told me: Try everything—dancing, singing, hosting and acting. He said only then would I know kung saan ako talaga nababagay. I’m glad I did as he told me, and managed to develop all those skills.”

Luis said he remained close to his dad after Edu and Vilma separated. “I consider myself one of the very fortunate few to have had this kind of relationship with my dad. I never felt angry about them breaking up. I don’t know how my parents did it, but I grew up feeling like any normal kid.”

On the other hand, Sid admitted that the breakup of his dad and mom, Bing Pimentel, strained his relationship with Mark for quite a while. “I don’t think about that phase anymore,” Sid said. “My dad and I are good friends now. Not many people have the privilege of being friends with their parents. We’re like barkada. I can see him whenever I want, especially now that I’m older.”

Meanwhile, Gab has had some concerns about his dad, who suffers from type 1 juvenile diabetes. “This is the most critical type, and my entire family is  always on the lookout,” said Gab, who has two siblings, Paolo and Keanna. “It affects my dad’s moods, so we need to adjust to him. But instead of driving a wedge between us, it brings all of us closer.”

“My dad is a clown,” said Sid, “but he’s very picky about who he opens up to. He’s very grounded, too. I remember once, a stranger told me how touched he had been about something that my dad did for him.”

“Sobrang lambing (very affectionate),” was how Luis described Edu. “He always wants to be close to people who are important to him, be it a significant other, his kids or relatives. He’s the type who would organize dinners or out-of-town trips. He’s a crazy guy. He’s a friend to everyone.”

Bodie said Tirso taught him most of all to become close to God. “He always tells me to do everything to glorify God. I relate this to everything I do, in show biz or in my personal life. Papa also tells me that opportunities in show biz don’t come very often, so I should always do my best to last long in the business.”

“Papa is a disciplinarian,” said Jolo of Senator Bong. “He doesn’t spoil us. Nakukuha kami sa isang tingin lang (we can tell what he wants with just one look). We’re proud of him as a dad, as well as a public servant. He always reminds us to be humble and grounded.”

Sid couldn’t have better expressed his appreciation than by saying, “I thank my dad for everything he’s done for me and my siblings. Experiences, good or bad, are what shape a person. If not for the things that happened in the past, we wouldn’t be who we are now. We are our parents’ greatest obra.”