Now that he's back on ABS-CBN, Luis said he's focused on doing things close to his heart, which does not include acting.
Luis Manzano: No to acting, yes to politics
At a glance
![LUIS 2.jpg](https://images.mb.com.ph/production/LUIS_2_916237f9b6.jpg)
Television host Luis Manzano reaffirmed his loyalty to ABS-CBN as he recently renewed his contract with the broadcast network. In renewing his contract, Luis said he would host a colorful game show called "Rainbow Rumble" this July.
"We have waiting for a show na pwede natin ibenta abroad so naniniwala ako na ito yung show na yun. It is one of the shows na kapag sinimulan natin ito bubuhos ang tawag para mag-inquire kung paano magfranchise ng show," said Luis after the contract signing at the ABS-CBN compound.
He added, "Ang 'Minute To Win It" ay skill-based game, Ang 'I Can See Your Voice' ay singing contest, ito mas trivia tayo. Sobrang ganda ng feedback ng 'Pot Luck' ng 'It’s Your Lucky Day' na grabe yung tuwa ng tao whether it could be sa tamang sagot o sa maling sagot. So for Rainbow Rumble there’s a component na talino, booksmart, may streetsmart, may game of chance and luck also."
Beyond the contract renewal, Luis expressed his gratitude to the bosses for their unwavering trust in him throughout his over two decades in the showbiz industry.
"Para sa akin kaya sobrang importante na mga maging 'forever Kapamilya' is nararamdaman mo na nandiyan kayo para sa isa't isa. And the word is already there - Kapamilya.
"Siguro I would like to think that at the very challenging times of ABS-CBN, I was there, nandoon ako. At the same time, noong ako ay dumaan sa napaka-challenging points ng buhay ko, hindi bumitaw o hindi nawala ang tiwala sa akin ng ABS-CBN. And that is why I'm proud to say that I am forever a Kapamilya," Luis added.
Joining him at the contract signing were ABS-CBN chairman Mark Lopez, ABS-CBN president and CEO Carlo Katigbak, ABS-CBN COO Cory Vidanes, ABS-CBN head of TV Production and Star Magic head Laurenti Dyogi, CFO Rick Tan Jr. and his manager, Jun Rufino.
Now that he's back on ABS-CBN, Luis said he's focused on doing things close to his heart, which does not include acting.
"Pero siguro doon na ako kung saan mas makakaya kong gawin which is hosting. Sitcom siguro pwede. Last year there were talks na magsi-sitcom kami ni mommy. Hindi lang natuloy for whatever reason. Siguro sitcom is viable. I can't imagine myself writing or directing. To focus or writing or directing, parang hindi ko pa naiiisip yun.
"Hindi naman ako nanghinayang na hindi natuloy. Marami rin naman akong show na hindi natuloy. Siguro may darating na tamang script para sa amin. If I get to do that with my mom, masaya yun. Tatanggapin ko yun.
"It's not every day that you get to work with your family. I'm lucky na naka-host ko na yung daddy ko, nakasama ko yung mommy ko sa hosting, sa pelikula. Kahit kay Jessy (Mendiola). So blessing yan," Luis said.
![LUIS 3.jpg](https://images.mb.com.ph/production/LUIS_3_0f07875f6a.jpg)
Yes to politics
Luis, son of actress and former politician Vilma Santos-Recto, has admitted to receiving offers to enter politics.
"Three administrations pa lang inaantay na ako. Nakakatawa dahil pag last day na ng filing of candidacy, may mga message sa akin na 'andito kami ngayon, anong oras ka darating.' Sabi ko anong meron? Sa bahay lang ako nakasando lang ako at nakashorts. So inaantay nila ako. Hindi siya nawawala every election and even up to now.
"Redundant man sabihin, lahat tayo may obligation to serve. Lahat tayo may capacity to do it kung ano man ang ibigay sa atin ng Diyos.
"Did I ever say to politics before? Sabi ko hindi pa. So hindi rin ako magugulat kung tawagin ako ng public service itong darating na taon. October pa naman ang filing ng candidacy.
"Yes! I'm very much open to politics. If I do run, it has to be about public service. Pagbinabati nga ako para sa election, I just take it as a complement. Minsan nakakagulat na lang pero I just take it as a complement," said Luis.
Aside from Luis, his wife, actress Jessy Mendiola, was returning following a five-year hiatus. Jessy also signed a contract with the Kapamilya Network the same day he signed for the network.
Luis said that he would support Jessy in his showbiz comeback.
"The past two nights before the contract signing, kinakabahan talaga siya. She was anxious. Nag-hiatus siya. She took a long break. I am here to support her. In any relationship, I have my path. And she has her own path. And isa ito sa gusto niyang balikan sa buhay na maging isang aktres.
"Meron pa kasi siyang passion and I think it will help her as an individual kapag nagagawa niya ang gusto niya at nagagawa niya ang passion niya. If it completes who she is, makakatulong din yun sa isang maybahay para sa akin kasi magiging masaya siya. It's not about having trabaho kundi nagagawa niya kung ano ang gusto niya," Luis also said.
"Asked if he would have a say on Jessy's co-stars in future projects, Luis smiled and said: "Dalawang magic word lang sa akin: Basta bayad. Basta comfortable lang siya sa set, and she's happy, by all means, okay ako."
Luis also said he wanted his daughter Peanut to try showbiz.
"If dumating sa point na may sariling diwa na siya, I would let her try. Para pag tumanda siya, hindi siya what if? Kung nagustuhan niya e di go. Basta ba huwag masa-sacrifice yung pag-aaral niya or kung ano man ang priorities. Pero pag sinabi niya papa okay na ako, then she may focus on something else.
"Parang nasa dugo rin niya ang pag-aartista. Nasa lola at lola, sa amin ni Jessy. So I guess it's inevitable na masubukan niya ang industriya. Ayoko kasi ng what if eh? So kung hindi ka happy, let's try something else.
"Habang lumalaki si Peanut, nag-aagawan sa hitsura niya si Jessy at si mommy. Parang wala akong ambag. It's either my mom or Jessy. I don't mind. It's a good thing na kamukha niya si Jessy at ang lola niya," he said.