There’s one thing that people should consider when reading Luis Manzano’s posts on social media —taking him seriously will not get you anywhere. And that may also be true in real life.
At the recent media launch of the TV host and actor as the new celebrity ambassador for Century Tuna Chilli Corned Tuna, he told everyone that he’s going to do the Avengers Infinity War because the producers were not happy about Robert Downey Jr.’s performance. When he talked about his fitness routine, he boasted that he runs from Manila to Pagudpod just to warm up. And for his next TV project, he said it’s not clear yet because his co-star Piolo Pascual is having difficulty keeping up.
But all these were meant to be a joke, including when he blurted out that it’s perfectly fine if the owners of the brand he’s endorsing wouldn’t pay him for his service.
“You see, people always misinterpret me. But that’s who I am. I joke around. I can’t be too serious. Even when I’m on TV, some viewers think na gwapong gwapo ako sa sarili ko. I think, there are so many people out there who don’t know the difference between a serious statement and a joke,” Luis told Manila Standard.
The 37-year-old TV host furthered that it’s the same reason why he’s very active on social media giving some online bashers a dose of their own medicine.
“Some people tell me not to waste my time on these netizens, but we have to stop living in a society of victims. These people will not stop trolling you on social media. Pag dating sa ganyan patola talaga ako, masama ang ugali ko sa kanila because I wanted to teach them a lesson,” he explained.
When asked about his being one of the busiest television hosts in town, Luis still used his wits in answering the question.
“I’m very thankful that our show is number one show in the Philippines. And The Voice Teens, which I’m going to be hosting is coming up really soon. I am not exactly most effective actor. That’s why ABSCBN is giving me shows that, you know, where I can show my strength which is hosting,” he said.
“I am very fortunate to win a best supporting actor award before. I still wanted to win a best actor award but I know that’s not going to happen. It’s hard to win a best actor award in romcom because Filipinos are used to intense scenes and heavy drama, which I don’t do. Hosting is something very personal. I like talking to my guests. That’s the aspect of hosting that I fell in love with.”
On a serious note, apart from being a sought-after product endorser and television personality, Luis still finds time to pursue his passion. For more than a decade now, he’s been into diving and underwater photography.
“My next goal is to be an instructor because I am already a dive master, from open water and then to advanced. Anilao (Batangas) is one of best in the world. For the next challenge, there’s something about the ocean that I want to share with everyone. What you see from a boat is so limited, there’s so much to see underwater,” he related.
And Luis is glad that Jessy Mendiola, his current inspiration, is also into water sport.
“Jessy is always a water baby. Nagkataon na parehas kame. We both appreciate what’s on the surface and what’s below the ocean,” he said adding that he got close to the former Maria Mercedes star because they’ve been together in so many water activities before.
Since he’s not getting any younger, we asked if he’s planning to settle down anytime soon. He just explained that Jessy also has her own time table and at 24, he knows that she still wants to do a lot of things.
“I wouldn’t mind settling down already. I am not getting any younger. I want to spend time with my soon to be children. I still wanted to achieve so much more in this industry. I will forever be a student of the game,” he concluded.