Raffy Zamora appeals to fathers to forge strong bonds with kids

Watch Raffy Zamora’s full video on the PGMN YouTube channel here:

MANILA, Philippines — Parenting is a journey filled with discovery and learning, and for fathers, stepping outside their comfort zones with their children can be a powerful way to bond and grow together.

Raffy Zamora, founder of the “Legendaddy” Facebook community, which offers a supportive space for Filipino dads, recently shared his insights on fatherhood in a new video on the PGMN YouTube channel.

In the video, titled “Be the Legendaddy Your Kids Brag About! Dive into New Adventures with Your Child!” Raffy encourages fathers to embrace new experiences with their children. He believes that fatherhood is not about achieving perfection but about showing up, being vulnerable, and being willing to try new things.

“Parenting is like assembling IKEA furniture,” Raffy explained. “Just when you think you’ve got it down, a few pieces always seem to be missing.” He uses this lighthearted analogy to remind fathers that parenting is a process of trial and error, where resilience is more important than flawlessness.

Raffy, who took up Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in his 40s, shared that his children watched him tackle the challenges of learning a new skill. By facing these challenges, he showed his children the value of perseverance.

He believes children learn more from seeing their parents step up and try than from any advice they may hear.

In his video, Raffy also emphasizes the importance of creating shared memories. For him, it’s simple moments like his “Dance Party” ritual with his eldest daughter—that make the biggest impact. “It’s not about being good at it,” he explains. “It’s about being there, making an effort, and having fun together.”

READ: Father’s critical role in child’s first years

As a closing challenge, Raffy urges fathers to try something new with their kids, no matter how small. Whether it’s learning a new recipe or playing a different game, the effort alone, he believes, is enough to strengthen the father-child bond and show that personal growth continues at any age.

Raffy’s message resonates as a reminder to fathers: in parenting, being present is more valuable than being perfect.