Rocco Nacino
Rocco Nacino has been raring to start a family. But first, he and his wife, volleyball star Melissa Gohing, want to make sure that they’re fully settled and prepared to make that step. “Honestly speaking, I would really love to have a kid now. But we still have other things to prioritize … I think we have enough time. We’re just about to celebrate our first wedding anniversary [in January],” the actor said in a recent virtual conference for his contract renewal with GMA Artist Center.
“Our friends tell us that our lives will completely change once we have kids,” he added. “So, for now, we want to enjoy our time together.”
Married life has been “wonderful,” but there’s still “a lot of learning to do,” Rocco related. “This is a new chapter for the two of us. We’re still adjusting and there are things we’re still getting used to. We get to discover new things about each other now that we live under one roof. It’s a wonderful process.”
Thoughtful, caring
And he can’t be more in love with his wife. “They say that Ilonggos are ‘malambing.’ And she is. I can attest to that,” he said of Melissa, whom he married in January this year. “She’s very thoughtful. Grabe ang pag-aalaga. When I’m about to go to locked-in tapings, she makes sure I have everything I need. She has a list! It’s heartening to be with someone so caring. I love that about her.”
Another milestone for Rocco this year is the completion of his new home. And while they’re now enjoying their time in it, there were some challenges along the way.
“The house was still being built when the pandemic struck, so it was hard on me financially. But I do have my parents to thank for instilling in me the value of saving money in case of emergencies. That’s what helped pay our contractors and suppliers,” he told the Inquirer.
Rocco (left) with wife Melissa Gohing
Share of struggles
“While my social media posts show us super happy, we still have our share of struggles. I’m not yet financially comfortable. I’m still working hard for our necessities, especially now that times are hard for us actors who don’t get as many projects as we used to,” he said.
Being given two series—“Owe My Love” and—“To Have and to Hold” by the Kapuso network this year has been a blessing. “I’m very thankful for the projects I had. Sometimes, you get only one. But this time, I had a limited participation in ‘Owe My Love’ and also an ongoing show,” the 34-year-old actor said. “Having those two is a bonus and was a huge help in building my home. Everything I work for is no longer just for me, but for my family and our future.” While pandemic restrictions have recently eased up, Rocco isn’t taking any chances when he goes to work or with his family. This is where his nursing background comes in handy.
“I’m thankful for good health and the educational background,” said Rocco, who passed the nursing licensure exam in 2009. “Sobrang kulit ko sa family. I’m quite the nagger when I remind them about what to do when they go outside, or go back to the house. We’re still strict about following protocols.”
Rocco’s part in the primetime drama “To Have and to Hold” was originally for Derek Ramsay, who had to eventually pull out. The soap turned out to be a success. “When Derek learned that I was going to replace him, he said he was happy I got the role. I was glad to hear that because that meant he trusted me,” he said.
More than the show’s good ratings, Rocco is also grateful for the acting challenge it presented to him. “I had no idea how deep I had to dig for the character, so it took me a while to get out of it. And I was pleasantly surprised with the results,” he said.