Luis Manzano on matching his dad Edu's hosting feats: 'I will forever look up to him'

Rachelle Siazon

<div><img src='' alt='042813-luis_main.jpg' height='290' width='305' align='left' border='0'>Now on his tenth year in show business, Luis Manzano feels so blessed to be hosting Pilipinas Got Talent, Kapamilya <i>Deal or No Deal</i>, and <i>Minute To Win</i> It all the same time on ABS-CBN. Looking back, he’ll always be grateful to <i>MYX</i> where he jumpstarted his career as a VJ. “<i>Sabi ko nga sa</i> final (a special to mark his 10 years as a <i>MYX VJ</i>), <i>sa lahat ng na-</i>achieve <i>ko, kahit papaano</i> I’m very lucky <i>nakakatsamba ako sa</i> awards. <i>Sila (MYX) yung unang-una na nagka</i>-faith<i> sa akin</i>. It was a long and growing process. Each and everyday I make sure I learn something. So in those 10 years,<i> siguro may nagawa akong tama kahit papaano</i>.” </div><div><br/></div><div>Luis clarified that he didn’t actually quit hosting for <i>MYX,</i> adding that the more appropriate description is that he graduated from being a VJ since his target market requires a more mature audience this time around. If anything, he enjoyed watching the AVP of how he developed as a host on the local music channel. “<i>Dyusko, ‘pag nakita niyo yung ipinakita sa MYX nung</i> finale, <i>nung nag-</i>Star<i> MYX ako, hindi pa ako artista </i>feature,<i> ni hindi ko maintindihan sinasabi ko, ako na yun ha? Parang napaka-gangsta ko, kulang na lang sa akin, </i>‘Wassup, west side!’ <i>Yung gumaganon.</i> So my evolution as a host, <i>yun ang</i> evidence<i> na kahit papaano, </i>from a simple VJ <i>kaya ko maging</i> reality talent show host, <i>nasubukan ko na rin maging </i>game show host, variety show host...<i> Para sa akin</i> in 10 years I’ve tackled different aspects of hosting.”</div><div><br/></div><div>When asked how he feels that young stars such as Robi Domingo look up to him and want to follow in his footsteps, Luis humbly stated he has faith in the new breed of stars who want to make a career out of hosting. “<i>Palagi nagsasabi niyan si</i> Robi. I even posted a tweet for Robi. I have my fair share of achievements <i>pero </i>definitely<i> si</i> Robi will surpass each one of those. <i>Nagkataon lang siguro mas nauna ako ipinanganak. Pero lahat ng mga nagagawa ko ngayon, yung mga kabataan, </i>Robi and all other hosts will surely surpass my achievements.”</div><div><br/></div><div>The fact that he was a newbie once and was then unsure whether or not he could surpass his dad (formerly dubbed as game show chairman) Edu Manzano’s accomplishments as a host is something that humbles Luis to this day. “<i>Sana [kahit papaano naabot ko na yung katulad ng sa kanya] kasi kung paano ako tinitignan ng mga kabataan ngayon, ganon ko din tinitignan si</i> daddy. Even up to now, ‘<i>pag iniisip ko paano atake ni</i> daddy <i>sa mga</i> game show, I will forever look up to him. There will never be the next Edu Manzano. I can only aspire to be half of what he has achieved. It’s very flattering.” </div><div><br/></div><div>Edu has never interfered with the way Luis handles his showbiz career. “I’m very happy <i>sa </i>daddy <i>ko. Hinahayaan niya ako.</i> Looking back, <i>wala pa nga siya atang binibigay na </i>advice<i> sa akin. Pero</i> deep inside I know he's observing and he wants me to learn and grow on my own which is the best way to do it. <i>Siguro</i> I can come to ask him for advice,<i> dun niya ibibigay yun yun. Pero</i> there's no better way than watching me learn, grow, make a mistake, bounce back. But even up to now <i>kapag nagkakataon kaming dalawa ang magkasamang nagho-</i>host <i>sa</i> corporate events, <i>minsan natitingalngal ako, pinapanood ko lang siya. Ang sarap manood.</i> I can talk for how many hours,<i> pero</i> once my dad starts talking, <i>nagbibigay ng</i> punchlines, <i>nanahimik lang ako. Ang sarap.</i>”</div><div><br/></div><div>As for his acting career, Luis further shared that he doesn’t aspire to be the next John Lloyd Cruz or other prime leading men in the Kapamilya network. As it is, he knows himself enough to know what’s the best career path for him to take. “<i>Siguro naman</i> I’m obviously a better host than an actor. <i>Yung histura ko ‘di naman ako pang</i>-leading <i>man talaga. Ang haba ng mukha ko… Ang puhunan ko lang sa industriya ay makulit ako. Hindi ako parang</i> Piolo (Pascual), Lloydy, or Coco (Martin)—<i>gwapo ‘yang mga ‘yan tapos siyempre </i>undeniable talent [<i>ang puhunan</i>]. <i>Ako yung mahabang mukha na kayang mangulit. Hindi ko sinasabi na nakakatawa ako</i>. There’s a difference between <i>makulit</i> and <i>nakakatawa. Siguro nagkataon lang na </i>four out of 10 <i>na mga hirit ko pwede pumasang nakakatawa. </i>That happens more when you host. Hindi <i>naman ako gwapo, tanggap ko naman na hindi ako</i> leading man material.” </div><div><br/></div><div>Don’t miss Luis’ birthday special on Kapamilya Deal Or No Deal with his dad Edu Manzano as the celebrity player on April 27, on ABS-CBN.</div><div><br/></div>

Luis Manzano looks back on his 10 years in show business and how he carved his own niche in the industry.

Luis Manzano on matching his dad Edu's hosting feats: 'I will forever look up to him' | PUSH.COM.PH