Dennis Trillo and other stepdads who stepped up, proving fatherhood goes beyond blood

Sometimes, blood isn’t thicker than water.

From fairy tales to soap operas, stepparents are almost always portrayed as villains who make their partner’s child or children miserable. Because of this stereotype, people become cautious when someone steps up as a parent to a child who doesn’t share their blood.

Real life, however, continues to prove pop culture wrong. Some, if not most, who have entered a stepparenting role have come to love their partner’s children completely as their own.

Take Dennis Trillo, for example. As online discussions resurface around Patrick Garcia and Jennylyn Mercado’s past, netizens have turned their attention to the man who stepped up when it mattered most.

The Kapuso actor never needed a biological bond to love Jennylyn’s son, Jazz. When Dennis entered their lives, he understood the assignment and simply chose to be a father. This quiet and consistent devotion has won the hearts of people online.

And while Dennis is setting the gold standard, he’s not the only one who currently deserves to be in the spotlight. Let us also recognize these other celebrity stepfathers who have proven that fatherhood is defined by immense love, not blood.

Troy Montero

Together for over two decades, Troy Montero and Aubrey Miles first met in 2002 after TV host Kris Aquino played matchmaker for the pair. Prior to their meeting, the actress already had a young son, John Maurie, from her previous relationship with JP Obligacion.

Troy entered Maurie’s life when he was just a toddler and has raised him as his own ever since. Maurie himself shared on television that he considers the Fil-Am actor “like his real dad,” as Troy was always present, loving, and supportive throughout his upbringing.

Gabby Eigenmann

Hailing from the showbiz royalty Eigenmann clan, actor Gabby Eigenmann married his partner, Apples Arizabal, in 1998.

Gabby made sure no one was ever left behind as he went through the legal process of formally adopting Apples’s children, Josh and Gabbie, from a previous relationship. Drawing from his own experience growing up in a blended family alongside siblings Sid Lucero, Max Eigenmann, and Andi Eigenmann, Gabby raises all four of his kids with equal love.

Philmar Alipayo

Years of public noise surrounding Andi Eigenmann’s past co-parenting setup with Jake Ejercito, the biological father of her daughter Ellie, didn’t stop champion surfer Philmar Alipayo from stepping up as a loving father figure.

Building a peaceful life together away from showbiz in Siargao, Philmar embraced Ellie with no questions asked.

While challenges still ensued in their relationship, including a brief online feud in early 2025, the couple swiftly addressed the issue and reaffirmed their focus as partners in raising a blended family.

Benj Manalo

Benj Manalo and Lovely Abella have been together for over a decade, having started their relationship in 2015. While Benj proposed to the Kapuso actress in 2019, he made headlines again in 2021 for a second, deeply emotional proposal.

The second time around, Benj also proposed to Lovely’s daughter, Crisha Kaye, and formally asked for her permission to be her official dad.

He showed that a gesture usually made for romantic partners can also serve as a powerful commitment to fatherhood.

VJ Yambao

Camille Prats was happily married to Anthony Linsangan, with whom she shares a son, Nathan. Tragically, Anthony passed away in 2011 after a battle with cancer.

Years later, the actress reconnected with her grade school classmate, John “VJ” Yambao, and the couple married in 2017.

As they built their family together, VJ stood as a dedicated father figure to Nathan, raising him alongside his own child from a previous relationship and his two children together with Camille.

Kiko Pangilinan

Before meeting lawyer and former broadcaster Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, Megastar Sharon Cuneta had a high-profile romance with actor Gabby Concepcion, with whom she shares her eldest daughter, KC Concepcion.

Following their separation, Sharon found a long-lasting love when she met Kiko in 1994.

Kiko stepped into KC’s life when she was 11 years old. Over the decades, KC has affectionately called him “Dad,” frequently expressing deep gratitude for his steady guidance, patience, and unwavering emotional support, even amid the pressures of being a public servant and politician.

Ralph Recto

Married to The Star for All Seasons and politician Vilma Santos, Ralph Recto stepped up as a second parent to a young Luis Manzano, Vilma’s son from her previous marriage to actor Edu Manzano.

Throughout the years, Luis has openly shared in various interviews how much he appreciates Ralph’s presence in his life. As Ralph respected Luis’ strong bond with his biological dad, he made sure Luis had a trusted father figure he could always rely on and confide in.

When Luis decided to step into politics by running for vice governor of Batangas alongside his mother, Ralph publicly supported his stepson’s campaign.

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