Kaila Estrada (left) with her mom Janice de Belen
“I can only wish to attain half of her accomplishments,” said Kaila Estrada on being compared to her mom, actress Janice de Belen, who was tagged as the country’s queen of horror drama in the ’80s.
Kaila is one of the lead characters in PIE (Pinoy Interactive Entertainment) Channel’s hybrid narrative-reality show titled, “The Chosen One: Ang Piliserye ng Bayan.” Incorporated in the program is a campy thriller series called “Soap Opera,” where Kaila plays the adventurous and resolute Charlie, who signs up for a shady networking group called Astra Nuevo.
“I seldom ask my mama for acting advice because she said she wanted me to discover what my process is as an actor. She wants me to be able to come up with my own process. She doesn’t meddle,” said Kaila, who is Janice’s daughter with ex-husband, actor John Estrada.
“If ever they are, they don’t make me feel like they’re worried about me. I guess it’s because when I have doubts or I feel nervous, I approach them or call them even when I’m already inside the bubble,” she pointed out. “In a more general tone, my mom would tell me to always be professional, to never use my being her child to my advantage.”
First thriller show
In Astra Nuevo, Charlie meets a group of 10 aspiring entrepreneurs who share her dream of gaining financial freedom. But soon they discover that their ambition could cost them their lives.
During the first episode (which streamed on Sept. 24), Charlie and the others attended the orientation session led by Miss Jane (Melai Cantiveros). This was also when Charlie found the lifeless body of Astra Nuevo’s security guard.
“My mom is really excited about the show. In fact, she already saw the pilot episode. I’ve been wanting to do something of the thriller genre. I really love the story and the program’s entire concept. There are elements that are very unique,” Kaila pointed out.
While she finds every project she takes on as challenging, this particular one is tough because Kaila said it was her first time to do a thriller show. “As a viewer, I enjoy watching thrillers. This is why I want to give the best performance so I, myself, will be interested to watch. With a “piliserye,” you don’t know what will happen next. We had to learn to be spontaneous but at the same time prepared for anything. Purposefully, there are a lot of things we don’t know about the plot.”
Estrada in “The Chosen One: Ang Piliserye ng Bayan”
Kaila explained that in a piliserye, PIE viewers can control the story and determine which character stays alive until the end by voting. However, Kaila is a nonplayer and will not be part of the 10 characters that are up for voting each week.
Joining Kaila are former “PBB” housemates Andi Abaya (Rachel), Amanda Zamora (Julie), Dustine Mayores (Jason), Gabb Skribikin (Cheska), Kobie Brown (Peter), Luke Alford (Kiko), Maxine Trinidad (Emma), Rob Blackburn (Joe), Seham Daghlas (Paula) and Zach Guerrero (Mike)—who will act as players in the show or the characters that will be voted by viewers.
Ultimate goals
On being among the un-evictable members of the show, Kaila said: “Honestly, I’m grateful to be part of it but it’s tough to be in this situation. I join them every single taping day and I see how hard they work. I see their potential so I don’t want to see anyone go. In this show, anything can happen. It’s really full of surprises. My only wish is that we don’t lose the bond we’ve created while doing the program. It will be so heartbreaking to see them leave the show.”
When it comes to what the players should focus on in order to avoid elimination, Kaila has this to say: “Pay close attention to your performances and to getting to know your characters. I feel those should be the ultimate goals. If you’re consistent with your performance, if you’ve learned to fall in love with your character, you will be able to secure your slot on the show.” INQ