MANILA, Philippines — Celebrity couple Jessy Mendiola and Luis Manzano reflected on their year in 2025 and shared what’s next for them in the coming year.
Jessy made an acting comeback through the action-drama series “Sins of the Father” while Luis ruminated on his future after losing his Batangas vice gubernatorial bid in the 2025 local elections. Luis’ mom, Vilma Santos, won Batangas governor while his brother, Ryan Christian Recto, was proclaimed Batangas sixth district congressman.
“I can confidently say that we’ve already found the right pattern for the two of us, our family and individually,” mused Jessy at their thanksgiving event, adding that she’s grateful to ABS-CBN for giving her the chance to return on screen after a six-year hiatus. “Akalain niyo nakabalik pa ako, right? After six long years, taray, a-acting ulit ang Jessy Mendiola. I also proved to myself that I was able to finish a show.”
On the other hand, Luis is no longer interested in pursuing politics after failing to make it in this year’s local polls.
“With everything we went through, everything that’s going on… For me, I found my niche once again,” he reflected as he did more hosting projects.
But he admitted that he felt lost after the campaign and the election. Several of Luis’ brand endorsements stopped working with him when he ventured into politics.
“For example, there are certain brands na hindi nakapag-renew (contracts), which is completely understandable for business reasons.
“Bigla na lang they had to keep their distance from me, kumbaga nawala ako, before the campaign, the elections, everything was laid out already. And then things happened.
“And then after, parang everything fell into place again. So for me, sayang din yung opportunity because not everyone is given a second chance to come back to the industry.”
With that said, Luis conveyed his sincere gratitude to his other endorsements who stood by him despite his election loss. His main focus right now is hosting and taking care of his family. “But marami pa rin akong itutulong sa amin sa Batangas. But if we talk about running again, I’m no longer thinking about it.”
Luis hinted at his upcoming shows in 2026, sharing, “Good situation ang mangyayari next year because I have a daily game show that will return, there’s also ‘Rainbow Rumble’ and another game show that I want to do. For next year, what I will try to do (are) two to three shows.”
Last Dec. 3, Jessy celebrated her birthday, and later that month, their firstborn, Isabella Rose (nicknamed Peanut or Rosie), celebrated her third birthday on Dec. 28.
So is Baby Peanut ready for a sibling?
Luis fondly recalled his interaction with his daughter, “I asked her, ‘Do you want to be an ate na?’ She said no. Kasi alam niyang prinsesa siya ayaw niya ng may kahati. But I’ve read an article earlier na parang mas bumabait yata ang isang tao if they have a sister.”