They say fathers always find a way—and McCoy de Leon is proof. Despite a packed filming schedule that keeps him busy the entire week, he makes sure to carve out time for his daughter, Felize, his 'breather' and little escape from the intense and heavy scenes he faces on the set. Let's get to know McCoy as a dad and beyond his role in "FPJ's Batang Quiapo."
In an episode of Kapamilya Chat, McCoy shared that weekends are usually his only free days, which he makes sure to dedicate to family time, especially when Felize asks to go out. "Kasi 'pag humiling ang isang bata, ang hirap tanggihan," he said. They recently went on a playdate at the mall, and they also love bonding over movies, as Felize has been getting into animated flicks lately.
When it comes to parenting, McCoy sees himself as somewhere in the middle—not too strict, but not too lenient either. He lets Felize have her fun, like when she asks for extra screen time, but he also makes sure to set boundaries and guide her as she grows.
For McCoy, the best thing about being a father is simply everything. “Hindi matutumbasan ng pera 'yung happiness na binibigay sa akin ng pagiging ama,” he shared, adding that fatherhood is a never-ending learning experience as there’s always something new to discover every day. That's why his advice to fellow working dads is to just keep going because all the hard work will pay off. “Huwag susuko. Alam ko nakakapagod, pero alam rin naman natin na ang resulta ay wala pa sa kalingkingan ng pagod natin... worth it.”
It's easy to see that McCoy has stayed humble through the years. When asked what keeps him grounded, he gave full credit to his parents. “Sila 'yung nagsasabi sa akin ng mga payo sa life mismo, pati financially at sa career ko. Siguro kasi dati nag-work sila at ngayon, ako naman, so gusto lang nila ako i-guide,” he shared.
Despite how much life has changed for their family, his parents never left their home in Tondo to always be reminded of where they came from. That’s why McCoy takes so much pride in his roots. Whenever there’s an event or a family gathering in the area, he makes it a point to go back and celebrate with loved ones in Tondo.
Even with his packed schedule, McCoy stays grounded in what truly matters—family, values, and the lessons he’s learned along the way. This is a stark contrast to his character, David, in "FPJ’s Batang Quiapo."