How Iza Calzado manages daughter’s screen time
MANILA, Philippines — First-time mom Iza Calzado admitted that managing her daughter’s screen time during her formative years has been challenging.
When asked about the topic during “The Brilliant Hour” event by Enfagrow A+ Four, Iza sighed before sharing, “At first, I was like, ‘Ayoko niyan. Hindi yan mag-se-screen time.’ But one day, you’ll find yourself in situations like this. To be honest, the reason she was drawn to sit over there was because my husband had already taken out his phone.”
Deia was also at the event, happily playing with her father and Iza’s husband, Ben Wintle.
She continued, “There are really moments na ito na ang best and wala po siyang judgement kasi kanya-kanya po tayo ng reality. I’m lucky because, during the early part of my motherhood journey, I was often there. I became my child’s entertainment system… It’s a privilege because some moms have to go to work after three months even earlier.”
Nevertheless, she tries her best to limit Deia’s screen time.
“I tried my very best, but now she’s three and a half, and she’s learning. Especially when her dad is around, madaling mauto yung tatay — he just keeps saying yes to his daughter. Love you, beh,” she told Ben.
For Iza, “The Brilliant Hour” is a great tool to help children stay away from screens through activities like drawing.
“Anything that they can do with their hands. It’s really helpful. Parang ginagawa ko pong last resort yung screen time,” she explained.
Iza furthered that she doesn’t judge parents because she understands their circumstances.
“Pero kung hindi pa naman po huli ang lahat at nagkaroon tayo ng ibang paraan para maiwasan na laging nakatutok sa screen ang ating mga anak, better.”
She firmly believes that, as much as possible, parents should avoid making screen time an isolated experience. “I’m not an expert,” she admitted. “But based on my understanding, di ba tayo, when we watched TV before, we would watch it together. Maybe it’s better if we talk to them about what they watched so that there is still some development happening during or after screen time.”
During the brand event, Iza also spoke about the importance of proper nutrition and meaningful stimulation during a child’s early years.
“Nutrition plays a very big factor in terms of development. So, we always make sure that she has nutritious meals. From early on, we made sure that her milk is always there. Buti na lang ang hilig sa gatas ng anak ko. We also try to give her vegetables. We encourage her, but we don’t force her. We try to make it her choice,” Iza said.
Meanwhile, Iza is part of the Cinemalaya Film Festival 2026 film, “Hand of God,” starring Ruru Madrid.
She shared that while filming, she felt guilty about being away for a few days because of her daughter.
“There’s guilt because my daughter might grow up thinking, ‘My parents didn’t spend this much time with me.’ But again, reality is different. Pag may taping na, pag ganyan mas madami kang time away.
“I’m part of a Cinemalaya, film ‘Hand of God.’ We went to Basilan for three days. Ma-gui-guilty ka, ‘Tama ba tong ginagawa ko? Tama ba na umalis ako?’ But you also have to find the times when you give yourself a pat on the back, like when you can celebrate.”
There was also a time when she considered extending her trip abroad, but ultimately decided against it because she had promised Deia that she would be home on Saturday. “What’s important to me now is keeping my word to my daughter. I may not always succeed because life happens, but at that moment, I knew I was able to make that choice.”
“Kamay ni Bathala (Hand of God)” is written and directed by Mark Duane Angos. The film’s logline reads: In a remote village scarred by years of conflict, a young army lieutenant introduces football to children. As the game begins to heal wounds and rebuild trust, he forms a fragile bond with a child soldier — forcing both to choose between the innocence they’ve lost and the violent realities of war.
“I really, really love the script. I’m so grateful I got the role,” Iza said, though she declined to reveal further details about her character.
Iza also shared that they are planning to mount an awards ceremony under the AKTOR-League of Filipino Actors, where she is the president. “We are hoping. We don’t know if it will happen this year, but we would love to. So, we would love to have your support when that time comes.”
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