When it comes to TV dramas, playing a dad convincingly isn't just about acting chops—it's about digging deep emotionally and connecting with the narrative on a personal level. Surprisingly, some of the actors who've nailed these roles aren't dads themselves in real life.
Despite not yet being fathers off-screen, we're celebrating these talented heartthrobs in this year's Kapamilya Time-List Father's Day tribute for bringing remarkable fatherhood stories to life with their exceptional talent.
JM De Guzman
Considered groundbreaking and one of the earliest dramas to center on a teenage father, “Angelito: Batang Ama” marked a significant milestone in JM De Guzman's career. While TV shows often focused on the struggles of young mothers, this series offered a refreshing perspective by portraying the challenges faced by a young dad. It delved into how he balanced studies and parenting, and the daunting task of maintaining a young relationship to provide a stable home for his child.
In his recent portrayal in “Linlang The Teleserye Version,” he painted a different face of fatherhood through his character Alex. Initially, Alex longed to have a child with his wife Sylvia (Kaila Estrada), but he later had a love child with his mistress Juliana (Kim Chiu), though she tragically miscarried. By the end of the story, Alex stood as the stepdad to Juliana's daughter Abby (Heart Ramos). Truly, whatever assignment he's given, JM is sure to nail it.
Nash Aguas
Nash Aguas’ memorable role as Andrew, the young dad in “Bagito,” offered layers of fresh insight into the life of the teen generation at the time. It showcased Nash’s acting maturity, depth, and sensitivity, despite his young age.
Jerome Ponce
Similarly, Jerome Ponce's role in “Nasaan Ka Nang Kailangan Kita” was an important part of his career. The series depicted Jerome’s Ryan and Jane Oineza’s Corrine following their impulses when they decided to live together and have a child while still in college. Jerome’s performance not only emotionally connected with audiences but also highlighted the complexities of young adulthood and the choices that shape our lives.
Coco Martin
Being a father involves taking on the special calling of nurturing the little humans he made into good individuals. However, fatherhood does not necessarily require biological components because there’s much more to this intricate role than blood and genes. Coco Martin’s fatherhood journey as Cardo Dalisay in “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano” exemplified this, as he became a father figure to his adopted children. In Book 2, his character became a doting dad to his son with wife Alyana (Yassi Pressman). However, Cardo and Alyana’s child tragically died in a terrorist explosion
Zanjoe Marudo
One of Zanjoe Marudo's early forays into father roles, “Dream Dad,” tells the unique and heartwarming story of Baste, a carefree and handsome bachelor who takes responsibility for his family's business. As he learns the ropes and recovers from a recent breakup, Baste encounters a charming little girl named Baby (played by Jana Agoncillo) who mistakenly believes he is her father. This unexpected twist proves to be the best thing that could happen to Baste, as he rediscovers the beauty of love and life through Baby's eyes, eventually deciding to adopt her.
He also flexed his acting muscles in “My Dear Heart” wherein his character Jude initially adopted a baby girl with his eventual wife Clara (Bela Padilla), whom they named Heart (Heart Ramos) and lovingly cared for. As the story unfolded, it was revealed that Heart was actually his biological child from his previous relationship with Gia (Ria Atayde).
RK Bagatsing
In “Nang Ngumiti Ang Langit,” RK Bagatsing portrayed Michael Villaluna, a father who was separated from his daughter Mikmik (Sophia Reola) due to complex circumstances. Despite the initial separation, fate brought them together, allowing them to forge a deep bond. RK’s nuanced portrayal of Michael's paternal challenges highlighted his versatility as an actor, resonating with audiences and earning praise for his compelling performance
Tony Labrusca
"In “Sino Ang Maysala: Mea Culpa,” Tony Labrusca played Drei Montelibano, a lawyer-turned-politician and loving husband to Juris (Bela Padilla). His character supported his wife's decision to adopt and protect a child they encountered during a fateful trip to Baguio City. While the narrative primarily focused on the conflict between the two mothers, Juris and Fina (Jodi Sta Maria), Tony’s remarkable and emotive portrayal as a loving father to their adopted child was a standout element that couldn't be overlooked.
Sam Milby
Sam Milby has fearlessly evolved as an actor, exploring various roles, including father figures like Gabriel in “Ang Sa Iyo Ay Akin.” Often seen as the 'pillar of the household,' a father is expected to uphold principles such as honesty and loyalty while protecting his family, especially his children. However, even our hero-fathers are not without flaws. Gabriel (Sam) in the series made mistakes, betraying his wife Ellice (Iza Calzado) with her best friend Marissa (Jodi Sta. Maria), which led to the birth of a son. Despite his imperfections, Gabriel took responsibility for his actions, starting with reconciling with Ellice. His selfless efforts not only repaired their relationship but also brought joy to their daughter Hope (Kira Balinger).
Jake Cuenca
With meticulous attention to detail, Jake Cuenca creates new personas in every series he stars in, seamlessly transforming himself the moment he steps onto the teleserye set. In “Viral Scandal,” despite his bachelor status, he impressed us with his chameleon acting style as he morphed into the role of Mayor Troy Ramones – a respected politician and father to Charlie Dizon and Kaila Estrada’s characters. Acting as a dad when he's not one in real life is difficult enough, but being a father figure to actresses nearly his age presented another challenge. Jake's precise acting skills, however, allowed him to portray Mayor Troy realistically.
Gerald Anderson
Maturing in the industry, Gerald Anderson has already played the role of an on-screen dad in several teleseryes. The latest was in “A Family Affair,” where his character Paco married Ivana Alawi’s Cherry Red, and they had a daughter together. Even though Cherry took the child away from Paco due to family conflicts, fate intervened, reuniting the father and daughter. Despite not being a dad in real life, Gerald, with his utterly expressive eyes, conveyed a deep sense of paternal love and longing through his scenes with the child.
As we honor these actors in this Kapamilya Time-List Father's Day 2024 tribute, let's applaud their dedication and skill in bringing these important stories to life.