DIRECTOR Lino Cayetano is preparing for his return to public service as he runs for congressman in the first district of Taguig this upcoming midterm elections. In a recent talk, Cayetano shared how his loved ones have been supportive of his candidacy, especially his children.
“My family is supportive of my candidacy, even my kids — six, eight, and ten years old — they know I’m running and they’re excited,” Cayetano said. He added that his children, having grown up during the time he served as mayor, are familiar with the demands of public office. “They’re all pandemic kids, and they grew up with their dad being the mayor. They were always told by their mom about what their dad was doing. So, they’re excited for me to serve again. They like it that I make movies, but they’re excited that I’m going back to public service,” he shared.
Despite their enthusiasm for his career, Cayetano noted that his children aren’t particularly interested in following his path into the world of entertainment. “Hindi sila interested na artista,” he remarked. Instead, Cayetano and his wife focus on nurturing their children’s intellectual and emotional growth. “Yung asawa ko gusto yata gawing artista yung mga anak niya, pero sabi ko kasi lahat ng kilala kong magagaling na artista, napakatalinong mga tao,” he explained, emphasizing the importance of education and comprehension over fame. “Sabi ko, ano lang, focus rin on comprehension, reading. Then when I made ‘Anghel Na Walang Langit,’ all those kids in the movie—they need so much EQ and IQ to be a good actor. Whether they studied or not, the best actors I know are some of the smartest people.”
Cayetano also shared how his wife, Fille Cainglet Cayetano, a former professional volleyball player, has found success both in sports and in business. “She was one of the pioneers of volleyball’s popularity in the Philippines, along with people like Gretchen, Liza, and others from the fab five. For the last ten years, she played professional volleyball—winning multiple championships with teams like Pocari, Meralco, and Creamline.” He also pointed out that while she recently transitioned into broadcasting, she continues to maintain a strong interest in volleyball. “She’s also a very business-minded person. She was studying volleyball until she completed her MBA,” Cayetano said with pride.
Despite Fille’s active involvement in sports, Cayetano clarified that politics is not her main interest. “Wala ho, wala… public service lang talaga. When I was mayor, she worked closely with our DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development) in Taguig, quietly supporting the community. But for politics, wala.” He humorously added that their shared dream was not to start a political dynasty, but to create a volleyball team one day.
As a father, Cayetano’s approach to family life is down-to-earth. “I have three kids — one boy and two girls — and we want to grow the family, but for me, this will be the last,” he said with a laugh, responding to a question about future plans for expanding their family. “Gusto niya, pero ako, stop na.” His wife, Fille, is more open to having more children, he added, but they have reached a consensus on this matter.
When asked about the perception that he seems younger than his age, Cayetano joked, “Yes, yes. I’m 46, but sometimes it feels like I’m still in my 30s.” He said it was all about staying active, both mentally and physically, joking that volleyball could still be in his future despite his age. “Nag-volleyball pa ako recently, and it’s fun!” he laughed, referring to his love for sports.
