‘The Father and Son of Reinvention’

If Vilma Santos, who also endorsed Lucky Me! Instant Mami way back in 1996 is the Mother of Reinvention, Edu Manzano and their son Luis "Lucky" Manzano could very well be the Father-and-Son of Reinvention.

After all, Star for All Seasons Vilma Santos has reinvented herself into a very effective and much-admired mayor of Lipa, Batangas.

In the same vein, Edu, who also had a stint in public service as Makati Vice-Mayor, also recently reinvented his career when he jumped from late-night hosting, game show-hosting, and soap opera acting to his new job in the News and Current Affairs department of ABS-CBN 2.

Read ‘em and weep. On top of his entertainment shows (the Tuesday primetime sitcom Okay Fine, Whatever, the Saturday afternoon gabfest Showbiz Sabado or S2, and the Sunday noontime musical-variety show, A.S.A.P. Mania), Edu is also seen on the early morning show Magandang Umaga Bayan (M.U.B.) five days a week, Monday to Friday.

And if all these were not enough, he also co-hosts with political pundit Alex Magno, the Thursday night government policy show Ugnayang Pambansa on PTV-4.

In effect, Edu is seen everyday on television.

But more than the exposure, Edu takes pride in the fact that he is able to do meaningful work with his foray into the News and Current Affairs department.

"It’s harder," Edu owns up. "You gain renewed respect for the people who work in the news department. You see a different kind of dedication. I’ve discovered for myself that the demands are different. The hours are different."

As early as 3 or 4 a.m., Edu is up and about, gathering news on-line or from the just-off-the-press dailies.

"I’ve only started to realize that it requires a different kind of commitment," Edu explains. "Whereas in the movies, you can report to work half-asleep, in news, you have to be constantly on your toes. You have to know what’s happening in the world around you."

By 5:10 or 5:15 a.m., he usually logs in the studio, all primed for the 5:30 to 8 o’clock run of M.U.B.

Even after the show wraps up, Edu makes it a point to hang out in the newsroom.

"I just stick around and chat," Edu relates.

He admits the news biz can be draining, but still he perseveres, despite the unholy hours, the stressful environment, and the less-than-attractive financial incentives," (He does Ugnayang Pambansa pro bono, totally for free in fact).

"It’s because I now understand it’s about time to give something back," Edu elaborates. "My work is not just about cracking jokes every single day. It’s also worthwhile to do some kind of responsible sharing of opinion and commentary."

That is the new-and-improved Edu.

Much in the same way, the public also got reacquainted with the "new-and-improved" Luis Manzano. Gone were the baby fat and awkward shyness. Vilma’s little Lucky has evolved into a fine gentleman – a hunky young man, in fact.

Meet the new-and-improved Lucky.

Luis insists he didn’t change much since joining showbiz full-time last year (He is a much sought-after commercial model and host of A.S.A.P. Mania and a music video jock for MYX).

"I don’t think I have changed that much," Luis persists. "But one thing I’ve noticed is that I’ve become more mature. More responsible as a person. Of course, now I am earning my own money. As such, I’ve come to realize the real value of money."

He doesn’t look at hosting and veejaying as work. He enjoys them tremendously.

"I’m just being myself," Luis asserts. "It’s all about talking. And I have no problem with that. In fact, my TV producers have a problem with me not stopping. I don’t stop yakking."

This is precisely what makes him stand out from the rest of the veejaying pack

"I love my work," Luis quips. "If I feel like doing it, I would suddenly dance while introducing a song. Or I would hold my shoe in my hand or do cartwheels. I do all sorts of weird stuff while doing my spiels. What you see on MYX is the real me."

And what is the real Luis like?

Get it straight from Luis himself. "I’m retarded. I’m obnoxious. Witty. Exactly like my dad!"

Indeed, Edu and Luis share not only gorgeous matinee-idol looks they also possess the same mercurial and maverick personality traits.

And when they are in the same room together, expect pure bedlam to erupt any minute. It’s non-stop laughter and bantering. Just like what happened on the day the new Lucky Me! Pancit Canton TV commercial was shot.

Edu and Luis had a ball making the 30-seconder. The fun, in fact, even extended off the set. The father-and-son jokes around like two youngsters having a field day.

Their own father-and-son-relationship has also evolved and improved through the years, they agree.

"Of course, when you are young, you only look at your parent as disciplinary figure," Luis acknowledges. "As someone who spanks you. As someone who tells you what to do. But eventually, you do grow up and see just how important your parents are to you. They change as well. You look at them, not just as a guardian but also as a friend, as a kabarkada. But of course the respect will always be there."

Edu concurs: "We have no place to go but up. Our relationship will get much better pa. Especially now that he’s maturing. I can relate to him more as an adult."

That is why the casting of the Father-and-Son of Reinvention in the latest TV ad for Lucky Me! Pancit Canton (new-and-improved original flavor) is inspired, to say the least.

"The product is an easy push," Edu proffers. "It’s very popular. And it’s something that we’ve all eaten." (It holds 90 percent of the market share in the dry pouch noodles segment).

Luis seconds the motion. "For someone like me who is always on the go. Lucky Me! Pancit Canton is not only convenient, it’s also a very satisfying and delicious meal."

Edu and Luis are not only fun and fab, they are also engaging and exciting – just like the new-and-improved Lucky Me! Pancit Canton.