Gian Sotto is the rocker dad who believes ‘God should be the center of our family.’
‘I used to be in an underground rock band Nerveline and I use the band concept with my kids. Kung saan ka magaling, i-explore natin yun.’
To Quezon City residents, Gian Sotto is their District 3 councilor. Nineties kids either recognize him from his shaggy-haired days as guitarist of 2000’s rock band Nerveline or as an up-and-coming matinee idol — appearing in Metro Manila Film Fest entries like Iskul Bukol 20
Years After (Ungasis and Escaleras Adventure) alongside father Tito Sotto when the Senate President was still active in show business — until he heeded the call of public service. At home, he and his wife and college sweetheart Joy are a tag team — five energetic kids can sure be a happy kind of handful. They get a bit of help from Gian’s mom, veteran actress Helen Gamboa on Sundays as well as next-door neighbor, sister Ciara, with only a fence dividing their homes so they could easily share condiments over the bakod. With plans to run for vice mayor next year, things have been hectic for Gian. How does this young dad keep his cool?
Your family is both in showbiz and politics. What made you choose politics?
GIAN SOTTO: It was never planned to get into politics. I never really liked politics. Yung mismong word na politics, ayaw
ko talaga until a point in my life wherein I had a serious talk with dad. I was doing the band scene and doing a little acting when it came up and my dad asked if I was interested. I was hesitant. I always wanted a simple life: to be able to provide for the wife and kids. Ayoko sa word na pulitiko, yung mundong magulo. I grew up seeing what that was like for my dad. Maraming issues. But he explained to me na what you’re getting into is public service, not politics, and it did change him. He started Eat Bulaga, which for me was not just a noontime show but also a public service program. Hindi lang puro patawa. You help those in need, empower the youth, and give them ways to showcase their talent. Since 1978, when I was born, yun ang tanghalian ko, so it was easy for me to get into public service. It came naturally. He’d take me taping, shooting and recording. When he became vice mayor of QC, he took me with him and I saw how it was. When I finished college, yun na, public service came in and God opened doors to reveal to me that I’m not getting into this because of politics but to serve Him. Growing up, what lessons did you learn from your father Tito Sotto about being a dad? Growing up, he always told me “Unahin mo ang Diyos.” He’d remind me God should always be the center of my life. Then God should always be in the center of my marriage. Then when I had kids, it’s God should be the center of our family. Very simple,
pero mahirap gawin because were easily distracted every day but that’s one thing that sticks out especially when I’m faced with challenges. You have five beautiful and energetic kids! How do you not play favorites?
My wife and I try to attend seminars that our church does in Victory Fort. They have parenting seminars, marriage boosters. It helps us learn more how to deal with our five kids. “Walang favoritism, lahat favorite” ang mindset. It’s the same thing with God. We should all consider, as sons and daughters of God, that we are all his favorites. Walang lamang ’cause that’s how God loves us.
Your eldest Hugo is 13, Edrico is 10, Sandro is turning 7, Rossano is 5, and baby girl Amari is 2. How do you avoid the competition that usually ensues among kids?
I used to be in an underground rock band Nerveline — that was way back — and I use the band concept with my kids. Si Hugo is good at guitars, Drigo is good at drums, Sandro is good at singing, Rossano is good with the bass. We jam with rock songs, praise and worship. At home, I say, “Hugo be the judge of this. Drico, you take care of the little ones.” Meron silang ugali na magkakapareho but their character is really different from each other. Meron silang kung saan sila magaling. Yu n g tasking sa family is kung saan sila magaling. We try to show them hindi kailangan uniform. Kung saan ka magaling, i-explore natin yun and unleash your potential in that area. Minsan may
nagkakainggitan but we remind them we’re one team, we’re one family. We don’t have to compete but complement each other.
What is your favorite bonding activity with your kids?
Ako, I’m an addict sa gym training and MMA. When the kids were growing up,
sinasama ko since we used to stay close to the gym. Aside from that, we do worship nights, naggi-gitara kami, we jam, their mom will sing. We also play — my wife Joy hate this ni Joy eto — PlayStation. We try to travel pag may budget. Gusto namin
ituro sa kids not to focus on material things but on the memories you build as a family. Between you and Joy, who’s the good cop and who’s the bad cop?
We believe in “spare the rod, spoil the child.” Kailangan paluin yung bata. We take turns when we have to discipline our kids. Kung sino yung mainit yung ulo, minsan yun ang gigil pumalo diba? Mag-uusap kami ng
wife ko na dapat we’re on the same page sa issue. Pangalawa, dapat hindi ka galit pag papagalitan mo. JOY: (Laughs) Pag mainit ulo ko, sometimes, sasabihin ko, “Gian, I tag you.” Are you hoping for more kids? GIAN: Right now, stop muna. (Laughs) Medyo nag-hesitate, no? But we have to deal with our five kids first. Kaya naging five because when we had Hugo, my wife said, “Okay, we have a baby boy. Let’s try for a baby girl.” I said sure. Boy ulit. She said, “Feeling ko ang susunod girl na to.” Ako naman, okay lang sa akin. Fourth sabi niya, “Eto last na.” Pag dating sa last, ayaw na niya mag-try. I told her to trust me. Feeling ko talaga God’s gonna answer our prayer. Sabi ko “Kunyari ayaw mo pa.” Joke lang! When we were building this house, there were three rooms for the kids, two each. Sabi ni Joy, “Bakit tayo gagawa ng isa pang room? Four pa lang kids natin.” Sabi ko, “Feeling ko magkaka-girl tayo. By faith, by faith.” We built the room and yun. Thank God.