Now married and has a daughter named Lana Athena, JC De Vera became more mature and determined. Although he still has so much to learn, he knows fatherhood means growing up along with his kid.
In this TWBA throwback video, veteran host Boy Abunda opened the conversation with a meaningful quote about fatherhood. “There’s no crash course on fatherhood. You learn as you go along and you grow up with your kids,” said Tito Boy.
JC agreed, looking back on the day he first held Lana. He was with his wife Rikka in the delivery room, anticipating the arrival of their firstborn and admittedly scared as well. He said he didn’t know how to hold a newborn baby but he had to learn fast without rehearsals.
“Never akong humawak talaga ng newborn kasi natatakot ako. Nung nandoon ako sa delivery room, as in nasalo ko ‘yung daughter ko, as in ako yung humila sa head niya. From that moment, sabi ko sa sarili ko, ‘Poprotektahan ko itong batang ‘to kahit anong mangyari. Nakarga ko siya nang walang practice,” he brimmed with pride.
JC’s smile was unfading throughout the conversation. It was clear that he loves what and who he’s talking about. “Sobrang adorable. ‘Pag gising niya pa lang, ‘yun na yung bumubungad sa mukha ko, naka-smile siya. That’s why ‘yung mga nagfa-follow sa akin sa Instagram, nakikita nila I always say ‘Good morning, Lana. I love you.’ Everytime we say that, she smiles,” shared JC.
He prides himself on being a hands-on dad as well. Forget about the leading man image – JC is a plain ‘girl dad’ when at home. “’Yung pagpalit ng diaper alam ko na, pati ‘yung swaddle.”
Fatherhood changed JC in a lot of ways. “Work, work, work” is now his mantra in life, determined to provide for his little family but without neglecting quality time with them.