Bam Aquino: Guided by Faith, Grounded in Family

In this intimate Father’s Day exclusive, Senator Bam Aquino opens up about fatherhood, family life and how his steadfast faith deeply shapes his mission and purpose as a public servant

Fatherhood, much like public service, calls for a certain kind of commitment, a stepping up and showing up, with consistency and heart. Newly elected Senator Bam Aquino has never flinched or faltered at either. In fact, for Bam, these two callings have never been mutually exclusive—they strengthen and guide one another.

As one of the country’s most recognizable young leaders, Bam is well known for his work in youth empowerment, education reform, social innovation, and nation-building. Bam’s political career has always put the Filipino people—especially the Filipino family—at the center. But at home, beyond the Senate floor, beyond his legislative agenda, Bam is “daddy”—present, hands-on, and intentional in raising his two daughters, Rory and Coco, aged 10 and 7 respectively.

“Becoming a dad, of course, was a big change,” Bam reflects on how fatherhood has shifted how he approaches his service to the nation. “When I first entered politics, my wife Timi and I were newly married, so wala pa akong Rory and Coco. As you grow older, and as you mature in your service and as a person—when you have children—lumalalim talaga yung gusto mong gawin para sa bansa. And when you talk to other parents, and they raise their concerns for their kids, then it becomes very real for you.”

For Bam, the weight of crafting and championing policies that affect everyday Filipino families has taken on deeper meaning since becoming a father himself a decade ago. “When you’re really pushing for policies you know can make a difference, you’re not just thinking of the actual student [who might benefit]. You’re also thinking of the parents who have to work hard, sometimes go abroad for their kids’ schooling, who have to borrow money for the education of their children—and often struggle to pay it back.”

Lessons Passed Down

Bam credits his parents, Paul and Melanie, for grounding him in humility, empathy, a strong work ethic and enduring faith—values that now guide the way he is parenting his daughters.

Raised by parents who each brought different strengths into his life, Bam learned early on what kind of man—and father—he aspired to become. “You know how stoicism is popular now? The first time I heard of stoicism was from my dad when I was a young boy. You have to be stoic, ‘di ba? Very old school guy, also very simple and very hardworking. You really learn how to be a man through your father. He also showed me how to be a gentleman and how to make difficult decisions. I’ll always be thankful for that,” Bam shares. 

“Even though he grew up with brothers and sisters who are all politicians, my dad was the only one who didn’t enter politics. I learned from my dad that you can serve and you can do good things for your country, without having to be in the spotlight. That’s important also. Sometimes, you can be behind the scenes and make things work,” he adds.

Bam’s mother, on the other hand, has always been a very effusive force in his life. “She’s always been very showy with her affection. Extremely different from my dad. But I needed both of them to get to where I am—even though they have very different parenting styles.”

“My mom, sobrang tapang niya. She’s very courageous. And I always say that both of them are my North Star. I know that they’ll always guide me and lead me in the right direction. They’ve always allowed me [to make decisions] and they’ve never really stopped me from doing anything. They’ve always been present and supportive,” he shares.

Parenting and Partnership 

Balancing public service with fatherhood has always come natural to Bam—and he credits much of this to the strong partnership he has with his wife, Timi. “Ako si ‘chill father,’ and my wife is the ‘activities mother.’ She likes organizing activities, doing things and going places. Ako, I’m the chill guy. So when they [the kids] want a chill day, it’s daddy’s day—and we’re really chill,” Bam grins. 

His approach, and his way of speaking to his daughters is measured and thoughtful—neither authoritarian nor overly familiar. “I talk to them like I’m their parent, but I’m also their playmate.” He explains how as a parent, it’s a responsibility to create boundaries for your children, and within those boundaries, anything goes. “And when anything goes, kasama din ako diyan. That’s what I mean by saying I’m also their playmate. And when they have shenanigans, kasama ako diyan!”

Bam underscores that theirs is a genuinely equal partnership—one where both household duties and family decisions are shared between him and his wife—and has been ever since. “50-50 ‘yan. It just really started off that way. Timi is a career person, and she’s pretty busy also. Hindi kaya ng isang tao lang—kailangan tulong-tulong, di ba? When we got married, I was 35 and she was 28 or 29. She was starting to get leadership positions already in the corporate world, and I was entering politics. So ang deal namin was, I will do the more risky things—which is enter politics—and she will have the stable career.”

This arrangement has not only allowed them to raise their daughters together, but also offered Bam the stability to speak truthfully and make difficult decisions and make stances as a public servant. “Wala akong takot to speak my mind, say my piece, and make decisions for the country because we have this partnership and I have her support,” he admits.

Simple Joys, Lasting Memories

Amid the demands of public service , Bam cultivates an intentionally simple home life—where quiet, meaningful moments with his daughters take center stage. When asked to describe what a good day in the Aquino household looks like, he answers instantly: “We’re just watching TV. We’re playing our video games. We’re ordering my kids’ favorite food,” he beams.

Their downtime together is filled with shared meals and an ongoing rotation of favorite movies and shows. “I have memorized a lot of Bluey episodes!” Bam laughs. “But sometimes they watch the stuff I like. I’m slowly introducing them to Star Wars, to Avengers, to Spider-Man. Paunti-unti. But obviously, it’s mostly the stuff that they like.”

Recently, after a long stretch away from home during the recent campaign, Bam experienced a bittersweet parenting realization—that even in a short span of time (in this case, a few short months whizzing by), children can grow up so fast. 

“We recently came home from a vacation—which we did because during the campaign, there would be stretches na wala ako for a long time—like six days, seven days. And spending a week with my kids and Timi, na kami lang, was really important.” He beams with pride with how his daughters handled his absence: “Zero complaints from my kids! They’re super supportive. They even went house to house with us for some weekends.”

This time apart made him realize how much his children had grown while he was away. “During the vacation, I realized that they’ve both grown physically and have matured quite a bit.. Their vocabulary has improved. Even si Coco, parang she’s grown up from the time that we had started the campaign.” He pauses, “They grow up so fast. So you have to enjoy every moment. You can’t let that slip by, di ba?”

Dreams For The Next Generation

For Bam, raising his daughters well means grounding them in core values that will guide them throughout life—the very same principles he believes all young people should learn and embody from an early age.

First and foremost, is kindness. “It’s really important. There’s a lot of online content out there that shows people who aren’t kind to each other. I believe we must teach our children to show kindness—to one another and to everyone they encounter, no matter who they are. Whether they are people in school, people they’ve just met, people in their family, or in their household.”

Second, Bam emphasizes the importance of a strong work ethic. “Hindi tayo dapat matakot na magtrabaho. We must never fear hard work,” he asserts. “Nothing gets done if you don’t put in the work—whether you’re serving in government or pursuing your studies.” Acknowledging the challenge posed by today’s shortened attention spans, he stresses the need for intentional discipline. “It’s crucial that we teach young people this: if you want to succeed, if you want to reach the next level, you have to be willing to put in the work.”

Finally, Bam emphasizes the importance of finding a field or craft in which to develop true excellence. “Be really excellent at something. ‘Di siya kailangan na academics. Nung bata ako, it was all about academics. Ngayon, it can be so many things! It can be sports, arts, music… it can be serving in a youth organization. It can be so many things. But sana meron isang bagay na you are passionate about and pour your efforts into—a hobby, an interest or an advocacy, and really be your best at it. That’s the only way we can grow.”

Actions Speak Louder Than Words

When it comes to parenting advice that’s truly guided him, Bam points to one straightforward nugget of wisdom that packs a punch—and that old adage goes: “Actions speak louder than words. That’s it, man,” he chuckles. 

It really all boils down to modeling what it means to be a good person. “[It’s] how you treat people, how you talk to your spouse, how you talk to your mom and dad, how you talk to people in your household. It’s how you are with everyone and how you treat others. These actions will always be more important than lectures or sermons.” Sermons, he feels, are simply not as effective as showing by action.

With young children, modeling good behavior carries tremendous responsibility. “That’s pressure for a dad,” he adds. “But that’s just how it is.”

Parenting in a Changing Nation

For Filipino fathers in general, Bam sees the daily realities and struggles of providing for one’s family as the most pressing challenge. “The biggest concern ng fathers is our ability to fend for the needs of our families,” he says. “The cost of food is high. The cost of education is unattainable.”

His work as a lawmaker and politician is driven by the hope of easing these burdens for Filipino families. “The dream is to provide solutions to help fathers and mothers be less worried about the future of their children. And ang trabaho namin [as lawmakers] is to make the lives of Filipino fathers and mothers a little bit easier. Kung magiging libre ang edukasyon, mas mapapagaan natin ang buhay ng mga magulang, di ba?”

He adds,” That’s why so many Filipino parents have to leave the country, so they can provide for their families.” Ultimately, Bam hopes his work in public service, together with like-minded policy makers, will help families stay intact. “Our job as public servants is to help Filipino families stay together and to ensure that, every day, their lives continue to improve.”

A Father’s Letter of Love

Though admittedly not the most “emo” or sentimental person, when asked what message he would want to leave for his daughters twenty years from now, Bam offers this:

“I hope they’re genuinely happy. I hope they’re doing something they love. And I hope the two of them remain as close as they are now.” He adds that, while they have a three-year age gap, Rory and Coco love talking to each other and spending time together—and he hopes that their relationship will continue to deepen and flourish as they grow and mature. 

Like any devoted father, he aspires for them to be prayerful and steadfast in their faith—values he and his wife diligently seek to instill. “I wouldn’t be where I am today without the strength of my faith,” he muses.

There’s Work To Be Done: As a Senator and As a Dad

As a father and as a leader, Bam remains rooted in optimism for the Philippines’ future.

“I’m an eternal optimist. I wouldn’t be in politics if I wasn’t optimistic about the country, if I didn’t love our country. I believe that we can move forward despite all the issues we currently have,” he says. 

For Bam, fatherhood is more than a role—it is a profound responsibility and a daily act of love. As a provider, he understands that true provision transcends material support; it is about creating a home grounded in values, faith and teamwork. He believes that being a family man means showing up, not just in moments of celebration, but in everyday sacrifices and uncertainties. 

Through it all, Bam Aquino’s dedication reveals a vision of leadership that begins at home—where the strength of a nation is reflected in the strength of its families. “Walang perfect sa mundong ito. All that is expected of us is to do our best. As a father, I will continue to strive and do my best for my daughters…and for our country,” he concludes.

Text JUSTIN CONVENTO
Photography GRANT BABIA
Styling SIYA DARYANI of THE CLOSET CULTURE
Grooming TWINKLE BERNARDO and ANGELI ALFONSO
Sitting Editor MARGA TUPAZ

Shot on Location at RAFFLES RESIDENCES MAKATI

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