Batangas, Philippines — In a stunning turn of events that sent shockwaves through both the entertainment and political circles, television host and actor Luis Manzano has lost his political bid in Batangas, failing to unseat the veteran and well-entrenched governor Dodo Mandanas despite his nationwide popularity.

The results, revealed after hours of tense vote counting, stunned supporters who believed Manzano’s charisma, celebrity status, and family legacy would be more than enough to secure a victory.

“It’s not just about being famous. It’s about being trusted,” a local voter told reporters, explaining why Mandanas remained their top choice.

A CELEBRITY’S BOLD LEAP INTO POLITICS

Luis Manzano, son of Batangas-born actress and politician Vilma Santos and actor Edu Manzano, entered the political arena with flair. His campaign was star-studded, social-media savvy, and backed by big-name endorsements. But while his rallies drew crowds and his posters flooded the province, the results told a different story.

In official counts, Governor Hermilando “Dodo” Mandanas maintained a commanding lead throughout, proving once again that deep-rooted political experience and grassroots connections still outweigh glitz and glamour in local governance.

DODO MANDANAS: THE UNMOVABLE TITAN

Mandanas, who has been in public service for decades, has earned a reputation for being a steady and strategic leader. Known for his deep involvement in infrastructure, healthcare, and education projects, the incumbent governor was not about to surrender his seat without a fight—and it showed in the polls.

“Luis may be popular, but Mandanas has been our governor through storms, floods, and pandemics,” said an elderly voter from Lipa City.

Even with Manzano’s attempts to connect with the youth and modernize his campaign, the seasoned governor remained unfazed, sticking to his traditional, methodical campaign style that prioritized rural voters and long-standing relationships.

WHAT WENT WRONG FOR MANZANO?

Political analysts cited several factors behind Manzano’s defeat:

Lack of political experience: Despite his media skills, many questioned his preparedness for a provincial leadership role.

Overreliance on popularity: Batangueños, while proud of his roots, were more concerned about track record than television ratings.

Underestimating local dynamics: Some observers noted that his campaign may have failed to penetrate the province’s far-flung areas, which remain crucial in winning local races.

THE AFTERMATH: HUMBLE IN DEFEAT

In a gracious concession message posted on social media, Manzano thanked his supporters and acknowledged the will of the people:

“This is just the beginning. I gave my heart to Batangas, and I’ll continue to serve in any way I can—no title needed. Congratulations to Governor Mandanas.”

The post received thousands of comments, many of them encouraging and praising Manzano for his courage to run.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR LUIS?

While his first political bid didn’t go as hoped, many believe this won’t be the end of Luis Manzano’s political journey. With a strong name and passionate base, some suggest that he may try again—perhaps in a congressional seat or even as mayor of Lipa City.

“Losing doesn’t mean the end—it could just be a powerful beginning,” said one supporter online.

As Batangas moves forward under the continued leadership of Dodo Mandanas, Luis Manzano returns to the drawing board—but perhaps with more fire and resolve than ever before.

Luis Manzano returns to TV after the election: ‘What show would you rather watch?’
AFTER losing his run as vice governor of Batangas, it looks like TV host-actor Luis Manzano will be returning to television.

On Instagram, Luis apparently even had a poll and asked his followers which game show they would like to watch again.

“What show would you rather watch? ‘Rainbow Rumble, ‘Deal or No Deal,’ or ‘Minute to Win It’?” the TV host asked his followers. Of course, his wife Jessy Mendiola and her friend Melai Cantiveros didn’t hold back.

The two answered in the comment section “Rainbow Rumble!”

Daniel Matsunaga, on the other hand, voted for “Minute to Win It!,” while John Prats and courtside reporter Aiyana Perlas wanted everything Luis mentioned to return.

His co-host Robi Domingo replied that if he were to be followed, it would have to be “It’s Your Lucky Day,” the noontime show that was temporarily replaced by “It’s Showtime” in 2023.

But wait, there are also netizens who want a bit of a throwback because they say they want “Game Ka Na Ba? and “I Can See Your Voice!”

In truth, even though Luis was unlucky against incumbent Gov. Dodo Mandanas, he was not deterred and even said that this is just the beginning of his journey with the Batangueños.