Jackie Ejercito on dad Erap, Duterte, beauty queens & divorce

As a devout Catholic, I don’t want the sanctity of marriage to be taken away, but at the same time, I also don’t want women to suffer.

Although Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, actress Kris Aquino and Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos are now the Philippines’ most famous presidential daughters, no less active with her own philanthropic causes is the eldest daughter of former president and now Manila Mayor Joseph “Erap” Ejercito Estrada, the 51-year-old Jackie Ejercito.

Jackie in 2016 took over as chairperson of her mother Dr. Loi Ejercito’s civic group the Mare Foundation, organizer of the Miss Manila pageant, which will be the highlight of the 447th anniversary of Manila City or “Araw ng Maynila” today. Here are excerpts of our exclusive, no-holds barred interview with Jackie Ejercito:

Philippine STAR: Why have you been holding this Miss Manila beauty pageant for five years already? Is it because your father admires beauty queens?

Jackie Ejercito: (laughs) No, my dad’s inspiration for the Miss Manila pageant is her late mother Maria Marcelo Ejercito, who was a pre-war Manila beauty queen known as “Carnival Queen” in 1925. My lola (grandmother) was an example of the conservative Filipina before, while our 32 Miss Manila contestants this year symbolize the modern Filipina.

Is your father Mayor Erap a judge? Who are the other judges?

No, dad won’t be a judge. We have invited as judges Vice Ganda, 2016 Miss International winner Kylie Verzosa, plus ambassadors of three countries: Greece, Brazil and Panama.

So the purpose of Miss Manila is for Mare Foundation’s charities?

Yes, Mare Foundation does free medical missions weekly every Thursday in different parts of Manila, but we plan to increase this to twice a week with more funds. We also support a free dialysis center near the Gat Andres hospital.

What traits did you imbibe from your parents?

From my father, his being charitable; from my mother, her being prayerful, religious.

Does your father pray also?

[laughs] Oy, maski ganun ‘yon, ‘pag nagdasal siya, mataimtim (Even if he is like that, when he prays, he’s very serious and solemn). He likes to pray by himself in complete silence and with nobody there. My father is prayerful.

Why do you think after Edsa 2, after his arrest, your dad is still phenomenal in popularity?

It’s because he is very sincere, his helping others is galing sa puso niya (it comes from his heart).

Both your father and now President Duterte are very popular but deemed controversial, they also like beautiful women?

Yes, medyo pareho nga sila (they’re indeed alike) (laughs). They not only like beautiful women, they both excelled as mayors first before becoming president.

Why do you think that segments of the elite seem to be critical of both your father and President Duterte?

Yes, it’s sad, they are pro-poor but not anti-rich. Let us help the poor, give them a chance to be happy too.

When was the first time you met President Duterte? Your impressions?

I first met him when he visited dad at Veterans (Memorial Medical Center). Then Mayor Duterte was very kind, he was even inviting me and my family to visit Davao City, telling me it’s safe there. The second time that I met him he was already president, he attended the birthday celebration of my father at Manila Hotel. He made a speech there.

Jackie Ejercito with parents Mayor Erap and Dr. Loi Ejercito

Your dad Erap and Duterte like to sing, what are their favorite songs?

President Duterte’s favorite song is Ikaw, while my dad’s favorites are his composition Kahit na Magtiis, plus the songs Always You and  How Soon.

What are the heath secrets, if any, of your father the 81-year-old Mayor Erap?

Nothing really… He goes to the sauna everyday to detoxify, and maybe also babae daw (supposedly women). (laughs) Joke lang ‘yan ha, baka sabihin nila tino-tolerate (It’s a joke only ha, they might say I’m tolerating).

President Duterte recently ignited a controversy by publicly kissing an OFW in South Korea. Has your father been in similar situations of kissing women in public?

It’s like normal already for my father, because he’s a movie actor, so that’s nothing new for me.

Your father and the late actor Fernando Poe, Jr. were best friends. Are you close to FPJ’s daughter Senator Grace Poe?

We’re not that close, but we text each other.

What is one thing about Erap which we the public don’t know about?

He’s sobrang (extremely) thoughtful and loving towards his mother, our lola. Even when Dad was incarcerated, he was always very concerned for his mother and expressing his loving devotion as a son.

How many siblings are you in total?

(laughs) ‘Yung totoo (the truth)?  There are three of us.

No, what I mean all of your siblings and your half-siblings in total?

I’m really not sure, but those whom he has declared, I think 12 or 14 of us. I’m really not sure if has declared all.

You look young at 51. After your break up with your husband Beaver Lopez, do you still plan to remarry?

No, wala na, ayaw ko na, ang saya saya ko na ngayon (no more, I don’t want anymore, I’m already very happy now). I’m busy taking care of my three sons. The eldest Manu just graduated from British School, and he’s soon studying economics at University of Southern California.

What was the worst crisis in your life and how did you cope?

In 2004, when my dad and brother Jinggoy were arrested. Siyempre galit ako (Of course, I was angry). I was with them then. I told my dad: “Don’t tell me you’re going to forgive them,” because I know my dad is a very forgiving person. Do you know what my father told me? He said: “Huwag kang maging vindictive, ikaw pa na dasal nang dasal araw-araw (Don’t become vindictive, especially you who keep praying everyday).”

My dad Erap forgives everyone, that’s why he could sleep very well every night. In fact, when it was ex-President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo who was incarcerated at Veterans, my dad visited her. I was with him during that visit.

Going back to your marital break-up, what is your opinion on the proposed but controversial divorce law? The Philippines and the Vatican are the only places on earth now still with no divorce law.

On the divorce law, I have mixed feelings. As a devout Catholic, I don’t want the sanctity of marriage to be taken away, but at the same time, I also don’t want women to suffer.

Have you annulled your marriage to Beaver Lopez?

We already annulled our marriage in church three months ago, but the civil annulment is not yet finished, we just filed it in December 2017. I think it will take one year for us to get our civil annulment. Hopefully in one year it will be finished, and I’m free as a bird!

Duterte’s daughter Sara is a popular Davao mayor and a possible senatorial candidate next year along with the late President Marcos’ daughter Governor Imee. Will you also run for public office?

Kung sinabi ni Dad, but believe me, hindi (If Dad says so, but believe me, he won’t)!

* * *

Thanks for your feedback! Follow @wilsonleeflores on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook. Buy & read  “Pilipino STAR Ngayon” every Friday for my column “Kuwentong Panadero” on inspiring stories.