A photo posted by ABS-CBN (@abscbnonline) on Apr 3, 2016 at 11:46pm PDT

MANILA - Luis Manzano has mastered the art of "deadma" when it comes to questions about his sexual preference.

In an interview on Monday after the press conference for ABS-CBN's newest game show "Family Feud," which will debut on April 9, Manzano pointed out that speculations that he is gay started back when he was still young.

"Bata pa lang ako, 'yan na talaga. Siguro hindi lang nila makuha ang katawan ko. Parang siguro 'yung pagnanasa nila ay rurok na," Manzano jokingly said, adding that it doesn't offend him.

"Walang masama sa pagiging bakla, it's not a deregatory term. Kung bakla ka, bakla ka by all means. Pero alam mo kapag ginagamit siya bilang masamang pang-asar ...kung tira sa akin, ginagamit siya with negative connotation, para sa akin ay mali 'yon," Manzano said.

In the interview, Manzano also thanked his former girlfriend, Angel Locsin, for defending him against bashers who call him gay.

Manzano also defended Locsin against those who are saying that Locsin is a lesbian.

"It's part of the industry, name-calling, bashing. Ang dami kong naririning na isyu sa akin na kahit katiting na pinanggalingan ay wala. May balita nga ako na may nabuntis akong beauty queen, sabi ko paano nangyari 'yon? If people only understood this industry more than what they see on TV, they will be completely surprised," he said.