IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Celebrities who marked their first Father’s Day
First-time dads (from left) Luis Manzano, Rocco Nacino, Ben Wintle, Gregg Homan, and Smokey Manaloto. Images: Instagram / @luckymanzano / @nacinorocco / @missizacalzado / @iamangelicap / @smokey_manaloto
This year as well as late last year saw several celebrities who entered the parenthood club, and for some of them, this year also marked their first Father’s Day celebration.
Check the list below to see your favorite first-time celebrity dads.
Luis Manzano
Luis Manzano waved goodbye to 2022 and welcomed 2023 as a first-time dad when his daughter Isabella Rose was born on December 28.
His wife, actress Jessy Mendiola uploaded a video on Instagram showing snippets of Luis’ moments with a newborn Isabella Rose—highlighted by gentle kisses and touches from Manzano to his daughter. The last clip showed a bigger Isabella Rose—who they also call Peanut—now, able to reciprocate the gentle touches as she interacts with her dad.
In her caption, Mendiola thanked her husband “for being such a good father to our dear Rosie,” adding that witnessing the award-winning TV host as a father made her fall in love with him even more. Mendiola also thanked Manzano for “always protecting and loving us with all your heart.” “We love you so so much, papa. [smiling face with three hearts emoji].”
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Manzano responded, “I love you wowow [Mendiola] and Peanut [heart emoji].”
Screenshot from Jessy Mendiola’s Instagram page
Rocco Nacino
Kapuso actor Rocco Nacino also became a father last year when his wife, four-time UAAP volleyball champion Melissa Gohing, gave birth to their baby boy Ezren Raffaello or EZ in October.
Gohing uploaded an Instagram video giving fans a glimpse of the actor’s side as a father, both when surrounded by silence and fun chaos. The former Creamline Cool Smashers libero expressed admiration for his husband.
“Watching you become the father I always knew you would be has been one of the greatest joys of my life,” shared Gohing who also told her husband, “I couldn’t do this parenting thing without you. Thank you for being my partner-in-crime in this lifetime responsibility we have received from above.”
She also told her “Mi Amor” that one day would not be enough to honor how special of a father he is to their son because “you’re amazing every day.” “Thank you for all that you do for us. EZ and I love you very much!”
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Nacino seemed very excited for his first Father’s Day, commenting in his wife’s post, “Awww I love you @gohingmelissa!! My first Father’s day! [heart emojis].”
Screenshot from Melissa Gohing’s Instagram page
Ben Wintle
A new dad this year is actress Iza Calzado’s husband, Ben Wintle. The parents welcomed their daughter Deia Amihan in late January. The actress posted on Instagram a video of the British businessman trying his best to learn and perform a Filipino nursery rhyme, “Tong, Tong, Tong, Pakitong-Kitong.”
The performance, Calzado told Wintle is “[a] true testament to the lengths you’d go just to make your family happy.” “You saw how much this song made Deia happy whenever I would sing it to her so you learned it for us,” explained the actress who also looked like she had a lot of fun teaching the song to her husband.
Calzado also thanked her husband “for working hard to give us the future you believe we deserve,” adding, “It’s an honor to witness you become a better father, husband and man everyday.” Calzado would reassure her husband of his great attempt at the song, writing, “We love you and your singing and dancing skills! [smiling face with three hearts emoji] [grinning-squinting face emoji] [heart emoji].”
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Gregg Homan
Kapamilya actress Angelica Panganiban was just raw and heartfelt in paying tribute to fiancé Gregg Homan, who became a first-time dad to daughter Amila Sabine in September last year.
Panganiban said in her Instagram post, which also includes a video of Amila Sabine’s bonding moments with her dad, that she found the meaning of a father’s love in Homan.
“Hindi ko akalain na magiging mapalad ako ngayon, na nakikita at nararamdaman ko na siya [ang pagmamahal ng isang ama],” shared Panganiban, who, in her caption, would also tell her followers about her long journey to finding the meaning of a father’s love. (I did not expect to be fortunate now to witness and feel a father’s love.)
She would also tell Homan how lucky Amila Sabine is that he is her father. “Napakaswerte ni Amila at ikaw ang una nyang pag-ibig, kalaro at dada. Maraming salamat sa pagganap nang buong-buo at higit pa.”
(Amila is very lucky to have you as her first love, playmate, and father. Thank you very much for portraying your role as a father completely and doing even more.)
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Smokey Manaloto
A name that some people might not expect to be associated with the first-time dad tag is that of actor-comedian Smokey Manaloto who became a father at the age of 51. His son Kiko was born in August last year.
In his Instagram post, which shows pictures of the father and son, Manaloto thanked the Lord for allowing him to play the role of a father in real life.
“Happy first Father’s Day to me! Buong puso akong nagpapasalamat sa Diyos at binigyan Niya ako ng pagkakataon na maging ‘Tatay’,” the veteran actor wrote on his post’s caption. (I wholeheartedly thank the Lord for giving me the opportunity to be a father.)
He promised his son that he will work hard to be the best father in the whole world, and capped off his post by greeting all dads a happy Father’s Day.
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If there’s a common theme among these first-time dads’ first Father’s Day celebration, it is the fact that there are people—families, friends, and fans who see and appreciate their hard work, determination, and sincerity to be the best father they can be. Happy Father’s Day to all fathers! EDV
