John Lloyd Cruz talks about his fatherhood experience with son Elias
Actor John Lloyd Cruz is slowly making his way back into the public eye.
After talks of upcoming TV appearances and a possible project with GMA Pictures, the actor has also been more visible in the limelight.
Recently, he has opened up about his relationship with son Elias Modesto, and his co-parenting set-up with former partner Ellen Adarna.
In an interview with entertainment journalist G3 San Diego, John Lloyd admitted that becoming a first-time parent is difficult. He welcomed his first child in June 2018.
"Hindi siya ganun kadali. Parang pang pelikula lang pala yung ano--yung parang nalaman mo parang, 'Magiging tatay na ako!'
"Para sa akin hindi. I mean, kung ano yung nangyari sa akin, hindi. To each its own.
"Baka naman sa iba, totoo 'yun and you can never tell kung 'yun ay totoo o hindi. Okay yan, 'yung nangyari sayo.
"Pero para sa akin… We wanted it, e. Alam naman na namin na it was going to happen,” John Lloyd said.
He shared that becoming a father is one of the biggest challenges he's had in life.
"Halu-halo kasi siya, e. Ang dami nangyari at that time. Like, yung father ni Ellen (Adarna) passed away two weeks before pinanganak si Elias and she was going through motherhood, becoming a mother, and our own personal issues. 'Di ba, parang lahat ang dami nangyari.
"And halos walang time, actually, to reflect on what's happening on a day-to-day basis.
"And I was going through my own.
"So, ngayon lang talaga nung nakita mo na and humahaba na yung mga araw, di ba, parang andyan na siya. Totoong responsibility na, 'Oo, pupunta kayo ng doctor… So, siguro sa akin lang.'
"It's a process na, kapag kasi masyado ka na nag re-reflect about the process, para siyang life happens when you're so busy planning. Para siyang ganun.
"But 'pag may mga random or mga unexpected na conversations and you actually ponder on being a father, 'yun lang naman talaga yung time na mapapaisip ka na, 'Oo nga, 'no?'
"Kasi, napaka-ano niya, e, matrabaho siya, so parang practical siya.
"It's very physical as well, so nandun ka sa physicality of being a father, parang minsan lang naman yung mapapaisip ka and mapapa-reflect ka na, it feels nice ah,” he adds about the reality of having a son."
John Lloyd also described his similarities to Elias, "Meron siyang ginagawa sa bibig niya, sa mata na kakabahan ka kasi… pero magbabago pa naman 'yon.
"But he's very stubborn like me and like the mother,” he said.
Witnessing Elias develop his creativity and observing him learn how to say "please" and "thank you" are just some of the simple things that make John Lloyd proud.
He said, “I'm not big on--I don't spurge on gifts or toys kasi, e.
"Gustung-gusto ko kapag meron siyang dinadampot na... meron siyang... he's playing with something na alam mo ng hindi naman laruan.
"So, I like that moment 'pag makikita mo siya like, nasa garden lang kami and he sees a stone and he pretends na it's something else like a cave or a fish.
"Parang 'pag nakikita ko yung mga ganung moments parang napa-proud ako. And pinakaproud ako hearing him say 'please' and 'thank you.'
Most importantly, the actor says he will definitely "not call the shots" for Elias and simply wishes his son can grow up living a life he enjoys.
He said, “I don't know. I hope he finds something he likes to do?
"And sana he can identify the things that he wants to do and enjoy it.
"Kasi wala, e, I don't know, I just want him to acknowledge that his life is a big blessing to me and, in the process, sana makita niya rin how to be a blessing to others.
"Parang wala pa ako mahihiling ngayon kasi sa totoo lang buhay niya 'yun, e.
"I want him to live his own life. I'm not gonna call the shots for him definitely,” he explained.
Watch for John Lloyd as he joins Willie Revillame on Shopee's TV Special on GMA Network on Sunday, 2 p.m.
Check out John Lloyd's showbiz comeback journey here: