Smokey Manaloto opens up on son's autism diagnosis

Smokey Manaloto opened up about his son Kiko's autism diagnosis and how it has changed the way he views even the smallest milestones in parenting.

On Thursday's "Fast Talk with Boy Abunda," Smokey admitted that it is tough to parent a child on the spectrum.

"Pero, every milestone—alam mo, napapansin ko nga na 'yung ibang tao, they take for granted 'yung maliliit na bagay na nagagawa ng anak. Pero for a parent who has a kid who's under the spectrum, the small things means a lot. Kunyari, natuto siyang mag-sign language, nasa-sign language niya ang buong alphabet, it's a big deal sa amin," he said.

"It's very emotional for me to talk about it. Pero, I really, really love my kid kahit na ano pa siya," he added.

He said experiences like this have taught him to value even the smallest progress his son makes.

"You truly appreciate the little things na nagagawa ng anak mo. Sa iba, ang liit na bagay na iyon. Pero sa iyo, parang napakalaking bagay na 'yon para sa iyo."

The veteran actor also talked about how becoming a father later in life has been one of the happiest parts of his journey.

"Nagkaroon talaga ako ng anak when I was 51. Tapos napakasayang parte ng buhay ko 'yun. Tapos parang ayaw ko namang itago 'yun," Smokey said.

He added that he decided to be open about it so that people his age would not lose hope about becoming parents later in life.

"Naisip ko rin na para hindi mawalan ng pag-asa 'yung ibang mga kaedad ko na pwede pa rin, pwede ka pa ring magkaroon ng anak at your age," he said.

Smokey also shared that while having a child was something he had always wanted, it happened unexpectedly.

"It was a welcome accident," he said. "I've always wanted to have a kid. Kaso lang ang problema, I haven't found a perfect partner to have a kid with. And now, I'm very happy, very satisfied that the person I'm with right now, I can truly say, is my soulmate."

Smokey is set to appear in "Born to Shine" with Zephanie, Michael Sager, Manilyn Reynes, and more.

It will begin airing on March 23 at 2:30 p.m. on GMA Network. —Carby Rose Basina/MGP, GMA Integrated News