John more like a buddy than a strict dad

MANILA, Philippines — John Estrada said he was just in a whimsical mood when he was quoted in recent reports as saying that he can now keep a close watch on his daughter Inah de Belen and her beau Jake Vargas now that he has transferred to GMA Network. It was in May when the actor announced his transfer after formally signing a contract with GMA execs led by GMA SVP for Entertainment Lilybeth Rasonable.

“I think my daughter is happy and at the same time nervous that I am here because there is now someone who will keep an eye on her and her boyfriend. Jake daw ang pangalan nun eh,” he amusingly recalled what he said in one interview.

However, John shared after the grand formal launch of the Kapuso fantaserye Victor Magtanggol last Monday that now that his children are grown-up, he realized that he couldn’t be unbearably strict on them. For him, it is much better to sit down and talk to them, explain what life is like ahead of them and show them what is positive.

“When I became a dad, I told myself that I will be strict especially because my children are mostly girls. But as time flies, I’ve realized being strict should be put in a proper perspective, na may pag-lulugaran din pala yung pagiging istrikto, lalo na n’ung lumalaki na sila,” said John. “Like Inah who has Jake, that’s fine with me but I won’t tell, ‘Oh go ahead, it’s okay.’ I just have to understand where Inah is coming from. I need to understand why she is in love, anak ng tokwa talaga, hahaha.”

It didn’t also come as a surprise that his daughter is having a romantic relationship with Jake knowing that Inah is mature enough to make her own decisions. He only gives constant reminders without sounding too harsh.

“I always tell her to take time to enjoy each other’s company, go out and explore because it’s so easy to get married, isn’t it? Well, I am not saying that it will happen soon but let’s admit that they’re of age and the possibility of settling down is there, alam mo naman papunta na ‘yun doon eh. But I am telling her to ‘not be in a rush, who knows next year you get tired of each other and then you find another (laughs).’ This is just me; I don’t want to speak for my daughter.”

In a serious tone, John said that whether he likes it or not, the time will come when his children will settle down and raise their own family. “Well ganun talaga, it’s a circle of life. Inevitably, she (Inah) will settle down.”

For those not familiar, John has four children with ex-wife Janice de Belen namely, Moira, Inah, Kyla and Yuan. He and wife Priscilla Meirelles also has a daughter named Sammantha Anechka, now six years old.

Asked if he wishes Anechka to join showbiz, John answered in the negative. All he wants is for his daughter to study well.

While John is visibly displaying his loving side as a dad, televiewers are about to see his “mean bone” in Victor Magtanggol as Loki, the god of deception who wants to get hold of the Mjolnir to use its power to create monstrous offsprings. In fact, during the interview, John was in character — complete with costume and heavy make-up. He expressed admiration for Alden whom he described as “very approachable, mabait at palabiro rin.”

“I initially thought that I’d be out of place since I am new here and it will be my first time to work with most of them but it’s not (the case). Everyone is nice. I instantly felt comfortable as if I’ve been working here for a long time.”

He, too, was blown away by the set design and effects of the fantasy series, praising how talented and creative the team members truly are. “Bibilib ka talaga sa creativity at ito (pointing to his costume), sampu ang ganito ko. They really spent a lot on this (series).”

(Victor Magtanggol, directed by Dominic Zapata, also stars Andrea Torres, Pancho Magno, Miguel Faustmann, Al Tantay, Chynna Ortaleza, Dion Ignacio, Lindsay de Vera, Reese Tuazon, Yuan Francisco, Coney Reyes, Eric Quizon, Freddie Webb, Maritoni Fernandez, Kristoffer Martin and Janine Gutierrez.)