Jake Ejercito on changes in his life when Ellie came: ‘I had to man up, take responsibility’

Jake Ejercito and his daughter Ellie. Image: Instagram/@unoemilio

Jake Ejercito opened up on how his life changed after his daughter Ellie entered his life, recounting an advice from his father, former President Joseph Estrada, on having a child at a young age.

Ejercito spoke about the remarkable advice he got from Estrada in an exclusive interview with talent manager Ogie Diaz, on his YouTube channel today, March. 7. In the said vlog, Ejercito was interviewed along with his brother, senatorial candidate Jinggoy.

“Nung time na ‘yun, I was only 21. Bumabarkada pa ako and everything. Sinabihan niya ko na, ‘May anak ka na, kailangan mo nang tumino. Hindi lang sarili mo ang kailangan mong isipin,'” the actor recalled. “So nung dumating si Ellie talagang 180 degrees. I had to man up and take responsibility.”

(At that time, I was only 21. I still go out with friends and everything. My dad told me, “You already have a child, you need to be responsible. You don’t only have yourself to consider from now on.” So when Ellie came into my life, it’s really 180 degrees. I had to man up and take responsibility.)

Ejercito also talked about how he bonds with his daughter and how their frequent out-of-town trips are his way of maximizing his time with Ellie.

“‘Pag nagpo-post ako ng photos na buma-biyahe kami, maraming nagco-comment, maraming nakaka-appreciate pero ako naman I’m just trying to be the best father that I could be for my daughter. Hindi siya kabawasan kasi iba rin ‘yung maliit lang ‘yung age gap niyo, para kayong barkada,” he said.

(When I post photos from our trips, there are a lot of people commenting and expressing their appreciation, but for me, I’m just trying to be the best father that I could be for my daughter. It’s really not a struggle because it’s good to have a little age gap between us, we’re just like friends.)

Ejercito added that he has a good relationship with Ellie’s mom, actress Andi Eigenmann, noting how they’re now mature in handling things which involve Ellie.

Aside from being a father, Ejercito was also asked by Diaz how he and Jinggoy compromise when it comes to their opposing political stance.

“I’m very grateful kay kuya kasi hinahayaan niya rin naman ako. He respects that I have my own opinion kasi I guess wala namang masama. I mean, we all want the same thing in the end, ‘di ba? Pilipino naman tayong lahat,” Ejercito stated. “Hindi naman kailangan ‘yung you know, ‘yung cancel culture ngayon.”

(I’m very grateful to my big brother Jinggoy because he lets me (have my own opinion). He respects that I have my own opinion and I guess there’s nothing wrong with that. I mean, we all want the same thing in the end, right? We’re all Filipinos. We don’t need to have that cancel culture.)

Jinggoy then stressed that they respect each other’s opinions, adding that he never meddled with Ejercito’s political beliefs and persuaded him to adopt his own.

“I never convinced Jake to transfer to my presidential candidate. Basta alam niya kung kanino ako — pulang-pula. Siya rosas na rosas,” Jinggoy added.

(I never convinced Jake to transfer to my presidential candidate. He knows who my vote is for, red, while he’s for pink.)

Ejercito and Ellie recently bonded over an underwater adventure which marked Ejercito’s first ever diving experience. The father and daughter also recovered from COVID-19, after experiencing mild symptoms. JB

RELATED STORIES:

Jake Ejercito, daughter Ellie recover from COVID-19 with mild symptoms

Jake Ejercito asks public to ‘be loyal to the country, not to politicians’