Edu a traditional dad

MANILA, Philippines - It is not surprising that much has been written about Edu Manzano. He is an actor, a game show host, a politician and an advocate for social change.

Not a lot has been said, however, of Edu as a dedicated father to Luis, Amanda and Lorenzo.

“I want people to see in my children how I am as a father.”

Edu says his parenting style can be referred to as strict and traditional. What his parents taught him, he tries to pass on to his children. For one, all of his children know that they are expected to behave accordingly around elders. The boys are taught to open doors and offer chairs to women and the elderly.

“I believe that you can never show too much respect.”

Edu grew up with a strong sense of family. For him, the family comes before anything else. When he was young, their whole family eats dinner, spends the weekends and does a lot of other things together. “Family relies on family.”

His tight schedule and that of his children prevent them from spending as much time together as they want. This is why he considers what little time they spend as a family sacred. He hopes that people will understand and give them personal space when they are out in public.

“I still think that the amount of time you spend with your children counts a lot,” Edu says. He makes it a point to call or text his children every day.

It does not take a special occasion to make a moment memorable as far as Edu is concerned.

“Every time I have a conversation with any of my children is a magical moment for me.”

He trained his children to speak their minds. They can tell him anything and expect a fair response from him. Out there in the world, he wants them to be leaders and not merely followers.

“I want them to be responsible for themselves. I want them to know that what they do today will reflect on their lives in the future. I can only do so much — like give them the best education I can afford, and steer them in the right direction. What they make out of their lives is their responsibility.”

His two younger kids, 14-year-old Lorenzo and 16-year-old Amanda expressed no interest in show business unlike their elder brother Luis. Lorenzo is very much into athletics, while Amanda wants to be an architect. Edu is only too happy to allow his kids to pursue the path they want.

It is a bit different with him and his brothers when they were growing up. Their father strongly encouraged them to go into the military to serve the country. The elder Manzano believed that there is no greater sacrifice than to serve your country. The Manzano boys enlisted in the US military, with Edu joining the US Air Force at 17.

For a young man, forgoing the liberties of his youth was no easy feat. Edu, however, came around when he realized that the military is giving him the education and discipline no other school can provide.

It is while in the military that Edu learned of the value of freedom and love of country. He learned that freedom never comes free and that sacrifices have to be made.

Little did he know then that his core beliefs would serve him well in the field of politics and social advocacy. He now prefers to be called a public servant rather than a politician. He believes one can serve even without an office.

An endorser of many brands, Edu now injects his beliefs in the process of choosing what companies and products to endorse. For one, the brand must stand up to its promise and not just pay lip service. It must touch the lives of Filipinos and contribute to their well being. These are two of the reasons why he chose to endorse LBC Express.

“My profession has given me the chance to travel a lot. In my travel to foreign lands, I see our kababayan flock to LBC branches. Yes, it is a business — but it is a service-oriented business. LBC also generates jobs for thousands of Filipinos, which is also a passion that’s really close to my heart.”

Edu is kept busy by his showbiz commitments, and his full-time stint as chairman of the Optical Media Board (OMB). He is also active in an Anti-Child Abuse and Pornography foundation he founded with his friends. They work closely with the CBCP. He has also been a part of a movement that puts up multi-skills development centers nationwide.