Kathryn Bernardo, Jake Ejercito and Dolly de Leon. Image: screengrab from YouTube/Kathryn Bernardo
Jake Ejercito could only let out a defeated laugh after actresses Kathryn Bernardo, Dolly de Leon and Chie Filomeno connived with their “A Very Good Girl” team to pull a prank on the unsuspecting actor that took them four days to execute.
Bernardo and De Leon made Ejercito believe that there was a tension brewing between the actresses, as seen in a vlog on Bernardo’s YouTube channel on Friday, Sept. 29. This supposedly arose after the “Triangle of Sadness” took offense at Bernardo describing her as “pandak” (a short person).
“We will be pranking Mr. Jake Ejercito, our only very good boy. Siya ‘yung perfect na tao para dito and it was Star Cinema’s idea. Nung ni-present nila sa amin, game kaming lahat because why not?” Bernardo said. “Si Jake ang perfect subject because he’s such a nice guy.”
(He is the perfect guy for this and it was Star Cinema’s idea. When they presented it to us, we were all game to do it because why not? Jake is the perfect subject because he’s such a nice guy.)
“He’s may pagka-naive nang konti, (He’s a bit naive) in a way,” De Leon added. “Hindi siya pikon (He’s not ill-humored). He’s a really nice guy; [he’s not a] sore loser.”
For days, Ejercito found himself in the middle of awkward situations with Bernardo, De Leon and their accomplice Filomeno while doing promotions for their film. The actor even reached out to Bernardo’s close friend, comedian Alora Sasam, to tell the latter about what was happening.
Bernardo and De Leon acted as if the tension between them were escalating after they alluded to each other while filming a question-and-answer vlog. The actress suggested to wrap up the vlog, with an annoyed Bernardo saying she no longer wants to attend their scheduled mall show.
Filomeno then handed the next question to Ejercito in an effort to pacify the supposed tension between Bernardo and De Leon. An uneasy Ejercito, in turn, read the question written on the paper: “Jake, naranasan mo na bang ma-prank? Kasi…” (Have you experienced being pranked? Because…)
“It’s a prank!” the actresses yelled, to which he replied, “Hayop! Walanghiya! Dolores!” referring to De Leon’s real name.
After hearing the actresses and those involved narrate their planning and execution of the prank, Ejercito expressed his amazement. “Grabe ang commitment nyo ha!” he said.
Ejercito also took to his X (formerly Twitter) page to share a clip from the prank, saying, “A very good prank by very bad girls.”
A very good prank by very bad girls -_- https://t.co/yw1KPzujeN
— jake ejercito (@unoemilio) September 30, 2023
The Petersen Vargas-helmed “A Very Good Girl,” which premiered on Sept. 27, also stars Angel Aquino, Donna Cariaga, Gillian Vicencio, Ana Abad Santos, Kaori Oinuma, Althea Ruedas, Nathania Guerrero and Nour Hooshmand. EDV