From "Dream Dad" to real dad! One of Zanjoe Marudo’s early forays into father roles was "Dream Dad," a light and charming story about a bachelor who becomes an instant daddy to an adorable little girl. He later took on more complex and layered portrayals of fatherhood in "Tubig at Langis," "Annaliza," and "The Broken Marriage Vow."
He also got a taste of dad life on screen via "My Dear Heart," where his character Jude adopts a young girl, only to later discover that she is actually his biological daughter from a past relationship with Gia, played by Ria Atayde.
Zanjoe has gone from playing a dad in dramas to becoming one in real life. And in a beautiful twist, he gets to share that journey with Ria, his former co-star turned friend, turned wife.
“Ibang level ng happiness ang binigay sa akin ng buhay ko two years ago,” he smiled, reflecting on how he had never felt this kind of joy until he fell in love with Ria and their relationship eventually led to their marriage in March 2024 and the birth of their son, Sabino, in September of the same year.
“Hindi ko ma-explain. Kahit sa anak ko, no’ng lumabas siya, parang, ‘Ito na ata ’yung pinakamahal kong tao.’” There’s a kind of love, he said, that comes from a place he never knew existed.
Zanjoe and Ria are very much hands-on, especially now that their son is still a baby and needs constant attention. But unlike playing a dad on TV, where there’s always a script to follow, real-life parenting doesn’t come with a manual. “Hindi pala madali maging tatay. Mahirap pala lalo na siguro kung busy ka,” he admitted.
Still, no matter how packed his schedule gets, such as with the ongoing promotions for his movie "How To Get Away From My Toxic Family," he always makes time for their son. Playtime is their favorite bonding moment, usually outdoors, whether it’s a stroll in the park or a quick trip to the mall. Even if Sabino can’t fully express himself just yet, Zanjoe and Ria have observed that these little adventures help calm him. “Kailangan din ma-expose sa tao para hindi na siya natatakot ’pag maraming tao,” Zanjoe added.
Offering a glimpse into their parenting dynamic at home, he shared that Ria is their son's go-to comfort person when hungry or sleepy, and she's a natural disciplinarian. Mommy Ria sets the rules like limiting gadget exposure. Daddy Zanjoe, on the other hand, is the more relaxed one, "Sa akin, lahat pwede," and that's why he's Sabino's buddy during chill moments and playtime.
The Kapamilya actor still getting the hang of it—adjusting, learning, and embracing the changes as they come. Just that morning, as he stepped out of the house for work and this Kapamilya Chat interview, his heart sank a little when Sabino began crying, not wanting his dad to leave. It’s a new feeling for Zanjoe. Unlike his bachelor days when nights out with friends were the norm, the dad version of Zanjoe now finds himself counting the hours until he can come home again.
When asked what message he has for fellow first-time dads, Zanjoe admits he doesn’t have much advice to give just yet, as he’s still figuring things out himself. What he does know is that it’s important to enjoy the journey. Every sleepless night and every little adjustment may be tiring, but in the end, he knows it’s all worth it.