Paul Soriano on parenting with faith
For filmmaker and producer Paul Soriano, the scariest scene doesn’t involve plot twists or CGI monsters. It’s the fear of not being able to protect his kids.
“There’s this thing my wife told me once,” said Soriano, referring to actress-TV host Toni Gonzaga. “When your kid is born, your heart is suddenly living outside your body. That’s exactly how it feels.”
He’s got two little hearts running around: Seve, 8, (who recently described him as a “cringy but cool” dad), and Polly, “almost 2,” who already has her dad wrapped around her tiny fingers. “She’s malambing, but hard to get,” the dad told Lifestyle in a recent interview.
This Father’s Day, Soriano—yes, the same guy producing Cannes-worthy films and collaborating with auteurs like Lav Diaz—is giving us a glimpse behind the camera into his real leading role as dad.
He wears many hats, but if you ask him which title matters most, it’s Dad.
Now 44, Soriano admits he’s not the same guy he was in his 20s or 30s. “Back then, I was kind of reckless … Now, I have to ask myself three questions before saying yes to any project: Is it God’s plan? Will my wife be proud? Will my kids be proud? If I can check those three boxes, I will do the project.”
Soriano admitted he’s stricter than his wife when handling Seve. He claims to be the disciplinarian, but he credits their dynamic parenting style as a tag-team effort. “With Polly, I say, ‘Tin (Gonzaga’s nickname), you handle her. I’ve got Seve.’”
He didn’t just take the parenting path made by his father—he paved his own. “My parents always told me there’s no formula for parenting. We can learn, we can always get tips, but you just have to be there,” he said. “Of course, I ask my parents for advice all the time. But the good thing about my parents, and also Toni’s, is they let us be. But they’re always there if we need them.”
And if you’re wondering how he feels about having a more public life thanks to his family’s social media presence and celebrity status, Soriano said he has already come to terms with it.
“It’s part of it. My wife is a celebrity. Obviously, social media comes with that,” he said. “I was hesitant at first, but as I matured, I thought, ‘Why not embrace it?’ It’s also my way of supporting my wife and my sister-in-law (Alex). When they ask me, I join them. Sometimes, I even volunteer, but I get rejected,” he said, laughing.
But don’t mistake Soriano’s family-first approach for a career slowdown. This year, he walked the red carpet at Cannes as one of the producers of “Magellan,” Diaz’s latest epic—and perhaps most accessible film yet (running at under three hours, practically a short by Diaz’s standards).
“It was surreal. Sold-out screening at 10:30 p.m., standing ovation at almost 1 a.m.,” Soriano recalled.
“To see people line up for nonmainstream cinema like that—it reminds you why you do this.”
Artistic statement
“Magellan,” shot across the Philippines, Spain, and Portugal, was presented in the Cannes Premiere section of the prestigious French film festival. It stars world cinema icon Gael García Bernal.
Soriano was right in the thick of it, coordinating with producers across time zones, helping scout untouched beaches in Quezon province, and explaining Diaz’s bold take on history.
Does he think there will be discourse about Diaz’s assertion that Lapu-Lapu, known to be the first Filipino hero, might be a myth?
“Oh, definitely,” Soriano said, carefully. “But that’s Lav’s perspective based on years of research. It doesn’t mean it’s right. It’s his artistic statement. And that’s the beauty of film. It sparks conversation.”
For Soriano, storytelling isn’t about being motivated, but about being called. “If you need motivation, forget it. Passion isn’t enough,” he said. “You have to want it so badly that you’re willing to grind it out for years.
“You have to do whatever it takes to get that idea on the big screen—that should be your mentality,” he added. It’s how he survived the massive undertaking of “Magellan,” and it’s also how he approaches fatherhood.
As a father, he admitted: “You don’t want anything bad to happen to your kids. You always want the best for them. But we know we live in a world where that’s not always possible, so my biggest fear is not being able to protect them as much as I would have wanted to. That’s why, as much as I can, I always want to be there for them.”
Anchored prayers
These days, his prayers are simple, but anchored. “For myself, it’s to continue being God-centered, to strengthen my faith in Him,” he began. “It’s always about staying grounded, listening to God’s wisdom, prioritizing my wife and my children—making sure I’ve met their needs before thinking of my own.”
And for the film industry? “I know it’s a difficult time, but let’s continue to find inspiration and encouragement in different ways, so we can push Filipino stories forward,” he said. “If you’re really in love with storytelling, if you’re really passionate about it, you’ll sacrifice greatly to make great things happen. Sometimes, motivation isn’t enough. You just have to want it.”
When the show is over and the crowd quiets down, Soriano returns to what matters most: Seve, Polly, and Toni. If a project doesn’t meet his three musts—purpose, his wife’s support, and his kids’ approval—then it’s a no-go.
“My biggest fear,” he said again, “is not being there when my kids need me; it’s not being able to protect them.”
In a world of edits and retakes, that’s one scene he never wants to miss.
