Jake pa more: Single... and willing to mingle!

Long before he surfaced on Eat, Bulaga!’s Kalyeserye as Maine Mendoza’s long-lost classmate and probably (just probably) the hot hunk between Maine and her “someone special” Alden Richards, Jake Ejercito (as Emilio in  the Kalyeserye) was already a household name having been a fodder for the showbiz gossip mill as a “third party” in the yet unresolved paternal issue between Andi Eigenmann and Albie Casiño.

It was inevitable because Jake was to the manner born, with showbiz blood running all over his body from all sides: One of the three children of Pres./Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada and former actress Laarni Enriquez; half-brother of Sen. Jinggoy Estrada (and siblings Jackie and Jude) and Sen. JV Ejercito; cousin of Quezon Vice Gov. Gary Estrada, and former Laguna Gov. E.R. Ejercito.

After two guest appearances on the Kalyeserye, Jake takes a step further by trying acting as a pilot in God Gave Me You (airing tomorrow, Holy Wednesday, co-starring with Maine as flight attendant and Alden also as a pilot), which is part of the five-episode Lenten offering of Eat, Bulaga!

Even if he already has one foot into showbiz, Jake (now into his final year for his Master’s Degree in Marketing at a university in Singapore, after studying in London with his sister Erika) has been evasive from the movie press…that is, until Saturday night when he decided to sit down for his first exclusive no-holds-barred interview at the Maria Maria restaurant at the Xavier Residences in San Juan City, owned and managed by his mom Laarni.

Here’s Jake (who is turning 26 on Sunday, March 27) in his own words:

How did you feel about the tsismis about you?

“At first, it was tough for me to handle. I didn’t know whether to react to it or not. In the long run, nasanay na lang. I could say that I have become used to it.”

I suppose there were other offers (including commercials). But why Kalyeserye?

“My parents and I were very reluctant. We know how passionate the fans of Maine and Alden are, how much they love their idols. My mom is an avid AlDub fan and she was worried that if I got in, the fans might think that I was a third party so baka ma-bash ako. Besides, hindi naman ako marunong at makakasama ko pa, bukod kina Maine at Alden who are natural actors, the three Lolas (Lola Nidora/Wally Bayola, Tidora/Paolo Ballesteros and Tinidora/Jose Bayola) who are very good at what they do, so nakakatakot.”

Jake Ejercito (left) as Emilio with Maine Mendoza and Alden Richards in the Eat, Bulaga!’s Kalyeserye... and (far right) in Bulaga’s Lenten presentation God Gave Me You (airing tomorrow, Holy Wednesday)... and with his dad, Pres./Mayor Joseph ‘Erap’ Estrada.

So what made you finally say yes?

“The people behind Eat, Bulaga! assured me that I wouldn‘t be bashed, that they would take care of me. So nilakasan ko ang loob ko. In fact, I even told Lola Nidora, ‘Di ba, Lola, bagay sila (Maine and Alden)?’ I felt relieved that the fans’ reaction and response were positive.”

Are you an AlDub fan like your mom?

“Yes. Even abroad, I watch Eat, Bulaga! when I get homesick. Magandang gamot sa homesickness. Nakaka-aliw ang Kalyeserye.”

How did you internalize your role as a pilot?

“I have traveled a lot and I would always observe how the pilot and the flight crew acted before, during and after the flight. But what helped was the acting workshop I did under direk Gina (Alajar) the day before we started shooting. What made it more challenging is being given the opportunity to be part of the AlDub phenomenon. Up to now, I don’t feel that I am worthy of the honor.”

Any pointers from your dad?

“He only told me, ‘Be natural! At huwag mo ako ipapahiya.’ I bear that in mind.”

So tuluy-tuloy na ba ang pagsho-showbiz mo?

“As much as I’ve been enjoying the experience so far, and with everybody so nice to me, I still have one year to complete my Master’s Degree, so…”

How is Maine?

“Maine is very humble, very quiet.”

And Alden?

“He’s more outgoing. The two of them were very supportive. Pareho nila ako inalalayan sa mga scenes namin.”

Sa tingin mo ba may “something” yung dalawa?

(Hesitating) “Puede!” (Then he laughed) “Oo, puede!”

What if Maine would fall not for Alden but for you?

“Hindi naman siguro!”

Are you single?

“Yes, very much single…and willing to mingle! Hahaha!!!”

You haven’t had any girlfriend?

“No, none.”

Really!?!

“Hmmm, it’s been a while.”

What kind of girls turns you on?

“What turns me on in a girl is confidence. Also, her smile.”

And the kind that turns you off?

“Mga know-it-alls. It’s very shallow but, yes, their poor sense of style.”

Your dad is a great admirer of women. What about you?

“Actually, I like to think that I am a closet introvert. When I like a girl, most of the time nato-torpe ako.”

Any advice from your mom and your dad where girls are concerned?

“They always remind me to treat girls with respect...how I like my mom to be treated.”

Do you play safe when it comes to girls?

“What do you mean by that?”

You know, the young today are very impulsive, there are so many temptations around…you know, for protection.

“Well, at my age, yes…I think I know a lot already.”

Now, to the crucial question: Are you the father of Andi’s daughter?

“Let’s put it this way…since Andi got pregnant I have been supportive of her. We have known each other since we were in our diapers because my mom is a good friend of her mom (Jaclyn Jose). May photos kami na naka-diaper kami. I was in London when her daughter was born.”

Did you and Andi go steady?

“Yes. Four to five years. We broke up two years ago. But we have remained friends. We have common friends. Our friends from way back are still our friends now. What Andi and I have in common is the love for traveling. The last time we traveled was recently…to Cebu.”

Are you a ninong of Andi’s daughter?

“No, I’m not.”

Can she cry on your shoulder?

“If she wants to, why not?”

How do you treat Andi’s daughter?

“I treat her like my daughter.” (Clarification: Jake, however, didn’t say if he has any “biological” relationship to Andi’s daughter.)

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