Acoustic guitar and a diamond ring for KDLex

Estrada (left) and Ilacad in “Walang Aray” PHOTOS BY JAYPEE MARISTAZA

It was a real treat to see KD Estrada and Alexa Ilacad perform in the musical play, “Walang Aray” at Peta (Philippine Educational Theater Association) in Quezon City on Valentine’s Day. Both of them managed to hold their own against a cast of more seasoned actors. They sang beautifully and were equipped with more than enough stage presence to hold the interest of the audience that consisted that evening of media guests, ABS-CBN officials, and leaders of their different fan clubs.

The duo known to fans as KDLex played the starring roles of Tenyong and Julia whose budding romance needs to hurdle a number of challenges including a disapproving mother, a rival, lecherous priests and the threat of war.

“Walang Aray” is a genre-defying adaptation of the screenplay of the same name, based on Severino Reyes’ classic zarzuela “Walang Sugat.” It will run at Peta Theater Center from Feb. 17 to March 14. Tickets are available via ticketworld.com.ph.

KD Estrada and his acoustic Taylor guitar

We asked KD and Alexa what their favorite things were: his is an acoustic guitar, hers is a diamond ring.

“I won this Taylor acoustic guitar in an online campaign on Kumu. It’s special because all of my supporters helped me get it, so it’s not just my guitar, it’s also theirs,” KD said.

The celebrity housemate of “Pinoy Big Brother: Kumunity Season 10” added that he plays this particular guitar at special gigs and concerts as well as in tapings. “It has a special place in my room but I use it frequently because you’re supposed to use instruments and things that are given to you.”

Scene from “Walang Aray”

Expensive … but worth it

For her part, Alexa has always been interested in jewelry and started out by collecting small pieces that caught her eye. “They can get really expensive, so I really saved up because I wanted to buy a one carat diamond ring, and I wanted to get it from Manila Diamond Studios—I think they have the best. I saw this design that I fell in love with and gifted it to myself as a prize for working hard.”

The “Pinoy Big Brother” alum accessorizes with multiple rings from time to time, but an unfortunate incident forced her to reconsider piling on the bling. “I used to wear rings everyday no matter where I was, tapos nawalan ako ng isang singsing, a Cartier ring. After that, sabi ko, ‘OK, hindi na siguro dapat everyday. Maybe I’ll just wear it for extra special events and times when nababantayan ‘yung kamay ko.’”