Luis Manzano admits fear on being first-time dad, recounts moment when baby waved ‘hello’

Image: screengrab from YouTube/Luis Manzano

Luis Manzano stated that aside from excitement, he also has fears as he looks forward to being a dad to his first child with wife, actress Jessy Mendiola. 

The actor-TV host admitted this after he was asked by Mendiola about the emotions he has been feeling so far in their journey to parenthood, as seen in a vlog on his YouTube channel yesterday, Aug. 27.

“As a first-time dad, syempre merong excitement, merong pressure — meron bang takot or kaba?” Mendiola asked. (As a first-time dad, of course there is excitement and pressure [but] do you have any fears or feelings of nervousness?)

“Sobra, it’s overwhelming — the uncertainty of things, not just sa pandemic, not just sa economy [but] the uncertainty of life in general, nandyan ‘yung fear e. Paghahandaan mo lahat ng ‘yan pero life always has a curveball sa atin,” he responded. “Pwede kang maghanda to some extent pero ‘yung takot hindi mawawala.”

([Yes and it is] too much, it is overwhelming — the uncertainty of things, not just the pandemic, not just the economy but the uncertainty of life in general, fear is always there. You can prepare for everything but life always has a curveball for us. You may be ready to some extent but fear will always be there.)

Manzano then got emotional as he recounted the first time they had an interaction with their child, which was when they went for an ultrasound and saw the baby with its hand “waving” at them.

“Sa mga unang ultrasounds, makikita mo parang mga dot lang or small figure pero nung nag-hello talaga siya — it’s as if naghe-hello daddy, hello mommy siya — parang talagang wow,” he stated. “Doon nag-sink in na magiging daddy na talaga ako.”

(During the first ultrasound, [we] only saw a dot or a small figure but when the baby said hello — it is as if the baby said “Hello daddy, hello mommy” — I was just like, “Wow.” That was when it hit me that I am really going to be a dad.)

Manzano also vowed to always be present in his wife and child’s lives, adding that experiencing ups and downs with them is what he looks forward to the most in being a father. He then assured Mendiola of his support and promised her to always be by her side when she needs him.

“I know it’s not easy for you. There are so many changes [and] the bulk of the journey belongs to you,” he told Mendiola. “But I will be there all throughout. I will do what I have to do as a husband and now as a father.”

Mendiola and Manzano, who have been married for over a year now, announced earlier this month that they are expecting their first child together. The couple then revealed that they will be having a baby girl through an intimate party. JB

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