JOHN LLOYD CRUZ GRATEFUL FOR DRAMA-FREE CO-PARENTING SETUP FOR SON ELIAS

JOHN LLOYD CRUZ HAS MANY FOND MEMORIES OF HIS TIME LIVING IN CEBU DURING THE PANDEMIC.

- NATHALIE TOMADA

When asked if he ever learned the language, he quipped in Cebuano, "Di 'ko mabaligya," implying he has picked up more than enough of the local culture to know his way around.

The best part of his stay there was witnessing the formative years of Elias, his son with former partner, Cebuana actress Ellen Adarna.

"Kaya ako nag-stay dun para makita ko yung anak ko, kahit pandemic (that's why I stayed there so I could see my child, even during the pandemic). At that time, it was formative for myself, not just for him. Because those formative years, one to two (years old), we were still there. Iba yung memories nung panahon na yun."

The STAR and two other media outlets interviewed the actor about fatherhood when he guested on the Radyo Katipunan show "Level Up with Noel Ferrer" to promote his QCinema film "Moneyslapper."

Time flies, and Elias is now six years old. When asked if he's a strict dad or more of a spoiler, John Lloyd responded, "Hindi naman kami everyday nagsasama. That's a big learning process for me. Kasi 'di naman pwedeng... you're just human, you're also a father, and I don't get to see him often.

"No, he doesn't (ask me to buy him things). But matalino yung anak ko, medyo wais pa. Sometimes, (he does things that make me say), 'Pag-sure oy,' hahaha! Elias, tigilan mo ako. Susubok siya. Pero yun nga ang nakakatawa. That's the fun part."

What he's learning about fatherhood, he's learning from his son. "With Elias, I feel like I'm the one learning from him. I'm the one gaining so much. I'm the one taking notes. He's amazing! Ang galing nung bata. Very humbling. It's like I'm the child and he's the parent," John Lloyd said.

The main lesson? "Getting to know yourself again and again. That's No. 1. It's constantly reminding yourself to just relax... like, you learn not to overthink too much. (It's about giving yourself) chances."