Arzen Rose Dulzura

EXCLUSIVE: McCoy De Leon on how he changed as a father: ‘Gusto ko maging good example sa kanya’

Article (news)

Rhea Manila Santos

Push Team

<p>Currently gearing up to star in <em>Ang Mamatay Nang Dahil Sa’yo,</em> actor McCoy De Leon said he is grateful to be given another big blessing as he is working hard for his daughter Felize with former partner Elisse Joson. </p><p><em>Ang Mamatay Nang Dahil Sa’yo</em> is an inspirational, character-driven military thriller which focuses on the lives of four Philippine Marines assigned to the BRP Sierra Madre, the country’s farthest military outpost in the West Philippine Sea.</p><p>Off camera, the 31-year-old actor, who is currently part of the new James Reid-Kathryn Bernardo series <em>Someone, Someday</em>, is not that far from his onscreen persona. McCoy explained that this is because he wants to be as genuine as possible. </p><p>He also explained to <strong>PUSH ABS-CBN</strong> in this exclusive interview why he has chosen not to post about his daughter often.</p><p>“Sobrang close ng personality ko kasi gusto ko ang nakikita ng mga tao yung family ko and baby ko. Kumbaga, sa akin, siguro personality ko ‘yung mas na-fi-feel ko ‘yung love na once na kaming dalawa lang and sa family lang. Hindi ko naman sa ipinagdadamot pero alam mo ‘yung feeling na ang tahimik ‘pag kami lang. Kasi sa dami ng nangyayari sa mundo, ang dami nang may alam kung kaninong buhay man ‘yan. Kumbaga, ang dami kong moments sa baby ko na nasa phone ko lang, nasa akin lang. And masaya na ako dun. Kuntento na po ako dun. And konting konti pakita sa public pero it’s more of sa akin lang,” he told PUSH ABS-CBN. </p><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-8" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DbdZzN1Go_i/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=768&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A8%2C%22os%22%3A254760.40000009537%2C%22ls%22%3A100886.40000009537%2C%22le%22%3A101925.70000004768%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="889" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-8" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2025/3/10/mccoy-de-leon-opens-up-about-being-a-father-to-felize-1015"><strong><u>READ: McCoy De Leon opens up about being a father to Felize: ‘Parang siya ‘yung nagbibigay ng extra push’</u></strong></a></div><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-6" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DbgIadSDzit/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=768&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A6%2C%22os%22%3A207701.60000014305%2C%22ls%22%3A100886.40000009537%2C%22le%22%3A101925.70000004768%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="889" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-6" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><p>Currently in a co-parenting set-up, McCoy said he is neither a strict dad nor a relaxed parent. “Ako, basta lahat. Kung ano ‘yung saan man masaya ‘yung anak ko. Kaya gusto ko maging maingat, lahat ng gagawin ko sa industriyang ito. Gusto ko maging good example sa kanya. And kung mapanuod niya ito, gusto ko sabihin na sobrang love ko siya, sobrang proud ako sa kanya. ‘Yun lahat, love lang sa kanya.”</p><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-4" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DbdZzN1Go_i/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=768&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A4%2C%22os%22%3A174600.30000019073%2C%22ls%22%3A100886.40000009537%2C%22le%22%3A101925.70000004768%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="889" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-4" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2025/2/26/how-mccoy-de-leon-s-daughter-felize-saved-him-twice-1223"><strong><u>READ: How McCoy de Leon&#x27;s daughter Felize saved him twice</u></strong></a></div><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-2" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/Dbie7wjhbGt/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=768&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A2%2C%22os%22%3A135931.30000019073%2C%22ls%22%3A100886.40000009537%2C%22le%22%3A101925.70000004768%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="847" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-2" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><p>When asked what quality he thinks his five-year-old daughter Felize may have inherited from him, McCoy says it is more than just the physical. </p><p>“Grabe siya magmahal. Yung pagmamahal niya, hindi siya yung type na loud, ‘yung nasa loob lang. And ‘yun ‘yung tingin kong namana niya sa akin bukod sa magkamukha talaga kami (laughs). And ‘yun ‘yung nakaka-proud sa kanya. And very God-fearing siya. Alam niya na how to practice ‘yung being Catholic and being faithful sa Diyos,” he said.</p><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-0" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DayfSjMyVCF/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=768&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A102088.90000009537%2C%22ls%22%3A100886.40000009537%2C%22le%22%3A101925.70000004768%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="847" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-0" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><p>The <em>Ang Mamamatay Nang Dahil Sa ‘Yo</em> star also admitted that even though he is now single, looking for a new relationship is the farthest thing from his mind. </p><p>“Naku, ang layo. Parang wala (sa top three) Kasi ang dami ko ngang gusto. Gusto ko maging stable hindi lang ako, gusto ko maging stable ‘yung anak ko, at ‘yung family ko. Gusto ko sila ‘yung makapag-relax na. Kaya ako nag-wo-work hard at dini-diskartehan ‘yung mga trabaho ko ngayon. ‘Yun lang ang priority sa akin at ‘yung alagaan rin ‘yung health ko. Kasi ang hirap magkasakit ‘di ba? Kasi dati wala kang pakialam eh. Ngayon makikita mo na worth it na alagaan talaga katawan ko. Gusto ko lang maging stable lahat ng mahal ko sa buhay,” he revealed. </p><p>McCoy also admitted that he is not looking to buy any material thing for himself this year. He shared what his major expense is at the moment, “Ano lang, sustento lang po (laughs). ‘Yung maging sure na maganda ang future ng anak ko. Na pagdating ng future na panahon andito lang ako para sa kanya. ‘Yun lang talaga gusto ko.” </p>

<p>Ang Mamamatay Nang Dahil Sa ‘Yo star McCoy De Leon talks about how he is when he’s in daddy mode and what his biggest wish is for his only daughter Felize McKenzie.</p>

Ang Mamamatay Nang Dahil Sa ‘Yo star McCoy De Leon talks about how he is when he’s in daddy mode and what his biggest wish is for his only daughter Felize McKenzie.