Daddy’s little ‘It’-girl

MANILA, Philippines - It’s about time. I’ve been wanting to do a piece on Jerika or Jikka Ejercito for quite some time, but she’s always jetting to some part of the world that we couldn’t get to do it. One day, she decided to come home. One night, we were together, on our way to Francis Libiran’s gala show at the Manila Hotel. Fully made up and wearing a long gown with a train, she told me that she had just come from the filing of her father’s candidacy as mayor of Manila.

Her father is, of course, former President Joseph Estrada and her mother is former actress Laarni Enriquez. Jikka was telling me about how the people would mob her father, about how much they loved him and how he loved them back. She was right behind her father and could see all the action happening before her. It is also said that Jikka is Erap’s favorite daughter, but she doesn’t know that.

Later on while at the Manila Hotel, someone stepped on her gown, causing it to rip at the back. Instead of panicking and rushing out to change, Jikka took a deep breath, and without batting an eyelash, she tied her dress into a knot, and draped it upon her so that it became a shorter version of the original gown she had worn. A Mentos moment, a defining one for me watching this girl who studied fashion in London who has now found a new passion for mental health and the spreading of awareness regarding the matter. She had just formed her foundation for this mind matter and is also hell bent on making Manila a better — or at least maybe a more beautiful place to live in.

As we drove past the streets leading to Manila Hotel. Jikka’s eyes lit up and she said, “Manila is so beautiful. But so much can still be done.” She stared outside the window, and shared with me her plans in life. Later on after the fashion gala, master lensman Mark Nicdao approaches her and takes her photograph, asks for a date for a shoot. One day this collab between photographer and new muse shall take place and we promise you it will happen in Supreme, for we dedicate ourselves to spotting the men and the women who will change the way you see things.

They are the new and the now. People like Jikka Ejercito. Here, Supreme gets on a short chat with this young woman set to conquer. Watch out for her, she has gone to so many places and will continue to go places. But for now, she is here to stay.

What is it like to be the daughter of President Joseph Estrada?

The best part about being my father’s daughter is that no matter how old I am, regardless of our tiny little tiffs at work or home, at the end of the day, I’m always his little girl and Dad makes sure that he doesn’t let a day pass without reminding me of that.

What’s the biggest life lesson you’ve learned from your dad?

To take advantage of every opportunity given to you.

Showbiz, politics, or none of the above?

To be in the entertainment industry, and I’m talking about movies and TV, one must know how to act and even though both my parents were actors it doesn’t really guarantee me of being blessed with the same artistic talent… and the path I took has never led me to finding out whether I do possess the “acting” gene.

As for politics, I am definitely not speaking for our family… my decision to steer clear of politics is heavily influenced by what had happened to my father in 2001 and what our family went through for six years. The impeachment took away any small inkling I might have had in joining politics. But obviously it all affected us differently, since currently two of my kuyas, Kuya Jinggoy and Kuya JV, both I dearly love, are in politics; same with a few of our cousins and even my niece Janella (Kuya Jinggoy’s eldest).

Plus, privacy is freedom and freedom is what I value most. I’m not sure I would be willing to give that up.

Who do you look up to?

In terms of having a role model, I cannot say I ever had one per se, nevertheless for various reasons I do admire Carl Jung, Viktor Frankl, Thomas Moore and James Hillman.

What can you say about Kris Aquino?

I find it extremely difficult to form any opinion about anybody whom I personally do not know, I feel that it would be based on hearsay or what you “think” you know and therefore irrelevant. However, Ms. Kris Aquino is a prominent personality who has lived a public life. I see her as a very strong and resilient woman.

Your brother Jake has been part of showbiz news lately. What can you say about this?

I’m just glad that he’s in London, far from it all.

What keeps you busy?

I have been placed to help run the family business, which mostly takes up my time. Also I’ve been lucky to be invited to events here and there and another thing that I don’t mind being busy with is working on setting up a non-profit organization that focuses on mental health awareness and the lack thereof.

You spent nine years in London. What makes you love Manila the most?

Having those unexpected precious little moments with my loved ones.

What inspires you?

Life itself.

What is the best advice you’ve ever received?

Always do what’s right by you.

What is your mantra in life?

Let life happen, stop fighting the current.

What to you is hot?

Individuality.

And what is not?

Conformity.

What can’t you live without?

Psychology books.

Are you single?

Yes.

What is something that people don’t know about you?

I am the ultimate downright typical girly girl cheeseball.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of having your last name?

Honestly, there are only two things I consider to be an “advantage” or perk, which I do appreciate a whole lot. One, there are a lot of reasons as to why I’ve decided to setup a foundation but the one thing that gave me the courage to push through with it is because to a certain extent a few people might hear me out just because of my last name and number two, skipping immigration is definitely my favorite perk.

I could list down quite a few disadvantages but all of it are tolerable. The one thing that gets under my skin would be how people automatically think or feel that they’ve gotten me all figured out just because I carry my father’s name.

If you take away the surname, who is Jerika?

Exactly the same.

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Photos by MAU MAURICIOProduced by DAVID MILAN