StarStruck alumnus Dion Ignacio takes pride in being a relatively "cool dad" as he navigates his journey through fatherhood.
On June 9, 2023, the actor graced the press conference of the new Kapuso primetime drama, Royal Blood, where he's part of the cast.
At the star-studded event, PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) had the opportunity to ask Dion some questions about parenting, revealing his approach to disciplining his two kids—daughter Chummy, turning 5 this June 29, and son Dreighton who's turning 2 on June 24.
Read also: Dion Ignacio now on ipon mode: "Lahat ng kinikita ko...para iyon sa pamilya"
Dion shared that he never resorted to anything physical, expressing, "Hindi ako namamalo.
"Parang hindi ko makita na…," he paused to gesture spanking before saying, "Tsaka sa totoo [lang], ang tagal kong mainis.
"Pero minsan naiinis ako sa anak kong panganay, kasi minsan makulit. Tapos, ang bilis mawala nung emotion ko na galit."
According to him, this approach to parenting is even projected in terms of his career.
"Kaya nga sa acting din e, pagka may eksena akong galit-galit, parang challenging sa akin kasi hindi ako magagalitin," he said, giggling.
"Mahaba yung pasensya ko tsaka soft-spoken ako."
- Dion Ignacio, umiyak dahil sa first award; "kinikilig" pag kinukumpara kay Dingdong Dantes
- Dion Ignacio proud to be alternate actor of his idol Dingdong Dantes
Though his firstborn can be occasionally bothersome, Dion also finds immense joy in their sweet moments together.
He recalled, "Susulat lang siya sa gan'to, papel: ‘Happy Father's Day. I love you, Daddy.’ Tapos ibibigay niya yun, ‘Daddy, meron akong gift.’
"Yun yung para sa akin na tumatak. Parang ang sweet nung meron siyang ganun, five years old, tapos may ganun siyang emotion, di ba? Yung love."
Read also: Dion Ignacio changes lifestyle for non-showbiz girlfriend and baby girl
BEING A COOL DAD
Dion is certain that he's the laid-back type of dad, saying: "Cool ako e, cool.
He elaborated, "Ako yung pag pinagalitan sila, ‘Ikaw kasi, bad yun. Kaya ka pinagalitan ni mommy, kasi love ka niya. Hindi niyo alam, dinidisiplina lang kayo ng mommy niyo para sa inyo yun kasi may bad kayong ginawa. Mali yun.’"
The 37-year-old actor explained the need for disciplining them from a young age: "Kailangan bata para, sabi ng misis ko, putulin na yung sungay.
"Kasi, di ba? Pag hindi mo siya pinagalitan, nakakaawa e pag pinapagalitan, pero kailangan mong tiisin.
"Kasi baka, alam mo yun, may mga hindi nakikinig sa'yo pag laki. Parang binabalewala yung parents."
He lightheartedly shared that in the context of "good cop, bad cop" parenting, her wife takes on the latter role.
Read also: Dion Ignacio's Magpakailanman episode malayong mangyari sa totoong buhay
Royal Blood stars Dindgong Dantes, Tirso Cruz III, Rhian Ramos, Mikael Daez, Megan Young, Rabiya Mateo, Lianne Valentin, Benjie Paras, and Arthur Solinap. It is set to premiere on June 19, 2023.