Tales of celebs and their dads
CEBU, Philippines — Fathers are often the leading figures in a family. No matter how much their children try to be different as they grow up, traces of their father’s values and upbringing often seep into their demeanor.
In show business, some acknowledge their father’s influence, while others incorporate their fathers into their branding as celebrities. Here are the stories of some personalities and their dads in celebration of Father’s Day today:
Donny Pangilinan and his dad, Anthony
The saying “birds of a feather flock together” aptly describes Kapamilya actor Donny Pangilinan and his father, businessman and motivational speaker Anthony Pangilinan. Fans and observers alike often point to the younger Pangilinan’s professionalism as evidence of the values instilled in him by his father.
For one, the Pangilinans are both media savvy, albeit in different fields. Anthony had a career in broadcasting, while Donny started his showbiz career as a host and MYX VJ before becoming known as an actor and one-half of the DonBelle tandem with Belle Mariano.
From the way Donny naturally articulates his thoughts in interviews, it’s clear that his father played a role in helping shape him into one of the industry’s sought-after young actors.
Donny and Anthony have also appeared together in endorsement campaigns. They are also devout Christians, with the family frequently participating in ministry events.
Early this year amid rising fuel costs, while many gas stations adjusted prices upward due to the crisis in the Middle East, Anthony, who owns a gas station in South Forbes Golf City in Silang, Cavite, reduced diesel prices by P3 per liter and shouldered the difference – a suggestion made by his son.
“Our partner (yes, my son!) suggested a move that didn’t make sense ‘numbers wise’ but was 100% in sync with our mission: support those who need it most in the community”, he wrote on a social media post. “Let’s all do what we can, while we can, for as long as we are able.”
Andres, Atasha and their dad Aga Muhlach
Andres and Atasha Muhlach are following in the footsteps of their father Aga, in show business, though of their own accord and not because their parents, Aga and Charlene Gonzalez, pushed them to do so.
Aga has long been supportive of his twins’ showbiz aspirations, especially after they completed university abroad. “I want them to finish their studies. But after college, it’s really up to them if they want to start working. It’s their call,” Aga said in a 2022 press conference. “I want them to do that on their own – not because of me. I want them to make that decision when they’re at the right age, when they have the right frame of mind. Because showbiz is no joke.”
The twins are signed under the same management as Aga, Viva Artists Agency. Andres is best known for starring opposite Ashtine Olviga in “Ang Mutya ng Section E,” while Atasha is known for playing Lin in “Bad Genius: The Series.” They also starred alongside their parents in the 2024 TV5 sitcom “Da Pers Family.”
Both have likewise ventured into theater. Andres portrayed Adie in the musical adaptation of “Bagets,” a role famously played by Aga in the 1984 film, while Atasha is set to star in “Bongga Ka, ‘Day!: The Annie Batungbakal Musical.”
Atasha has described herself as a “daddy's girl,” saying that she and her father share many interests. She said in an interview: “I learned how to wakeboard from him and we would go on little dates at fast-food drive-thrus after. Our friendship continues up to today, especially when we play golf together.”
Meanwhile, Andres considers his father his foremost role model. During an interview with Cebu media last year, he recalled one of Aga’s most important pieces of advice: “He told us to be ourselves and not try to be someone we’re not. And to be nice to everybody – that’s the biggest one.”
Taylor Swift and her dad, Scott
One of the many well-known facts about Taylor Swift is her close bond with her family. Her parents both had backgrounds in the financial sector, and their understanding of business and marketing played a role in propping up her career when she started out in country music as a teenager. They even relocated from Pennsylvania to Nashville to help Taylor pursue her ambitions.
While many fans know about her close relationship with her mother, Andrea, Swift’s relationship with her father, Scott, has often intrigued Swifties because the two occasionally do not see eye to eye.
In her 2010 song “Mine,” Swift alluded to her parents’ rumored separation in the lyric, “You say we’ll never make my parents’ mistakes.” Meanwhile, her hit song “Love Story” was inspired by a relationship that her parents disapproved of, reimagining the experience through the lens of William Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet.”
During an interview with The New York Times, Swift hinted that the love interest who inspired the song was older than she was, which may have contributed to her parents’ disapproval. She joked, “This is why you need to discipline your kids, because they might write songs that go No. 1.”
Their differing viewpoints were perhaps most publicly documented in the Netflix documentary "”Miss Americana.” During an emotional meeting with her team, Swift expressed her desire to speak out politically against then-U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn over issues involving women’s rights and safety. At the time, Swift faced criticism for her political silence.
Scott opposed the move out of concern for his daughter’s safety and the potential backlash it could generate, a sentiment shared by many members of her team. However, Andrea and her publicist, Tree Paine, backed Swift’s decision, as she believed it was important to be on the “right side of history.”
Despite the disagreement, it ultimately ended with father and daughter embracing each other, underscoring the affection they still have for one another despite their differences.
While Swifties have observed that Taylor and Scott do not always agree, their bond remains strong. Scott continues to support his daughter’s career behind the scenes to this day, a striking contrast to the complicated father-child relationships that have surrounded other pop sensations, including Britney Spears and Michael Jackson.
Sofia Coppola and her father, Francis Ford Coppola
American filmmaker Sofia Coppola had to prove herself in Hollywood that she is more than just a “nepo baby” – a heavily-loaded term often used for those who benefit from their family connections but have no talent.
The criticism was not entirely unfounded. Her performance in “The Godfather Part III,” directed by her father Francis Ford Coppola, was widely criticized at the time. The role was originally intended for Winona Ryder, who withdrew from the production.
Looking back on the experience, Sofia remained philosophical about the criticism. She said in a past interview: “It was a learning experience but since I never wanted to be an actress, it wasn’t devastating for me that people generally weren’t too fond of me being in it. After all, it was good because these kinds of experiences make you stronger.”
While acting may not have been her calling, Sofia ultimately found her strengths behind the camera just like her father. Her directorial debut, “The Virgin Suicides,” received critical acclaim and has since become a cult classic.
Over a filmography spanning nine feature films, Sofia has developed a reputation for crafting dreamy and observational stories such as “Lost in Translation” and “Marie Antoinette.”
Her 2020 film “On the Rocks,” starring Bill Murray and Rashida Jones, explores a complicated father-daughter relationship and reflects themes that Sofia has acknowledged were influenced by her experiences.
Despite forging her own identity as a filmmaker, Sofia sees her father as an important influence in her love of cinema – not necessarily as a teacher, but as someone whose passion for cinema shaped her own. She said, “He always talked to me about filmmaking and screenwriting from an early age, but I think it was more what was exciting to him than wanting to teach that to his children.” — (FREEMAN)
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