Tom Rodriguez happily reveals he's now a father

MANILA, Philippines — Tom Rodriguez has revealed that he's a first-time dad to a “beautiful baby boy.”

During yesterday’s presscon for Joel Lamangan's upcoming movie “Huwag Mo Kong Iwan,” which opens in theaters nationwide on Nov. 27, he announced, "I'm a happy, new dad to a healthy and very beautiful baby boy. He's four months old today.

“He's my source of inspiration and he makes me so happy. I've never experienced happiness at this level.”

In response to a STAR question, the 37-year-old actor further shared how fatherhood has changed his entire perspective on life and influenced his decision to resume his acting career in the Philippines.

"(Fatherhood) is everything. It's why I'm back," he shared, explaining how the experience has transformed even his approach to his showbiz career.

"Everything I go through, iniisip ko, how will I want to teach (my son) things. Paano ko ituturo sa kanya na everything na nangyayari sa akin… it's not about how do I get through this, but what can I learn from this to be able to pass this down to him," he added.

Tom said that he had grown comfortable and “content” with his life in the US that there was a part that didn’t want to return to the Philippines.

Yet, he said he recognized his contractual obligations to GMA Network and saw this as an opportunity to set a positive example for his son.

"I wanted to show to him that I can finish things that I have started and set a good example because everything I do now is for him," he said during the presscon.

Tom previously sparked speculation about fatherhood after posting a drawing of a baby on his Instagram.

However, he begged off from discussing his current partner and the mother of his child when asked about any marriage plans.

He also appeared to have moved on from the controversy surrounding the end of his marriage to fellow GMA star Carla Abellana.

He said, "If I hadn't gone through what I did, I wouldn't have what I have now. And what I have now, I wouldn't trade for anything."

Tom’s return also marks his comeback in Philippine cinema, starring in “Huwag Mo Kong Iwan,” a romance drama that co-stars Rhian Ramos and JC de Vera.

He expressed mixed emotions about working again in the local entertainment scene, stressing that while he missed the craft, the industry’s other “turbulent” aspects were less appealing to him.

“That’s the part that I miss,” Tom further told The STAR. “Sometimes, the other turbulent parts of (the) industry you don't miss. But it is part of it.”

“But yung craft talaga ang nakaka-miss and nakakatakot din. I'm thinking if I'm still capable because for two years I've been away from it," he continued.

Despite his reservations, Tom is thankful for the chance to work with the veteran filmmaker on his latest project under Bentria Productions.

"I was so thankful that this is my first movie project (since coming back). I felt I was such in good hands and that if I get through this, anything that I come across or whatever project is laid out for me, I will be able to face it without training wheels kasi nalampasan ko sila direk Joel. It was an amazing obstacle course, it was like a workshop," he said.