Luis Manzano shared how he felt the first time he saw his daughter, Rosie.
"Umiyak ako. When things slowed down kasi nagpapahinga si Howhow (Jessy Mendiola) kasi CS siya, so there was one time na hawak-hawak ko si Peanut (Rosie). For the first time na hawak ko siya, tapos sleeping, so everything slowed down for a bit. Tapos seeing her face, medyo naluha ako ng konti," he recounted in an interview with Bernadette Sembrano.
The TV host described the moment as deeply emotional, knowing that Rosie was someone they had long prayed for.
"Ang tagal naming pinagdasal, ang tagal naming inantay, ang tagal nag-stay sa loob ng tiyan ni Howhow, and now hawak na namin siya, more precious than anything in this world," he remarked.
When asked what it felt like to become a father for the first time, Luis admitted it was a mix of emotions.
"It's a melting pot of emotions but it always, kumbaga, it's a melting pot but the final product will always be love," he highlighted.
He also candidly admitted to having fears, especially in light of the uncertainties brought by the pandemic. "Siyempre nandiyan 'yung exictement — tama ba 'yung ginagawa ko? We are unsure of what the future [holds] like may pandemic. We saw kung anong pwedeng mangyari sa livelihood in terms of the franchise, and it's still going on sa ABS(CBN). Every day is a question mark, so nandun pa rin 'yung uncertainty, ‘yung anxiety."
Despite this, Luis shared that the love and excitement of having a child are palpable. "Pero 'yung excitement, 'yung love, everything. I think pretty much everything na maisip mong emotion mararasanan mo 'pag may [anak] na," he said.
In the same interview, Jessy shared how motherhood transformed her. "Talagang gagawin mo talaga lahat para sa anak mo. Akala mo 'pagka kinasal ka kumpleto ka na, pero mas magiging... parang overflowing talaga 'yung love 'pag naging nanay ka. I mean for me, personally," the actress shared.
Luis and Jessy welcomed Rosie in December 2022.
The couple tied the knot in a garden ceremony in February 2021, announcing it two months later.