Kiko Estrada has found the ‘light’ in Devon Seron

Kiko Estrada

Confirmation has to come from the guy first,” said Kiko Estrada when asked to talk about the real score between him and actress Devon Seron.

The actor said he and Devon have been dating since August 2018. “You have to respect the woman. You have to treat her right. I promised her that when I’d get asked about our relationship, I will say my piece,” he declared. “You see, when we began dating, I didn’t have any work to promote yet. Devon had a new show then, so it was her that the media kept interviewing.”

Attitude

He described Devon as “dalagang Pinay,” and so she required “tamang pagsuyo.” Kiko said he first had to ask the blessings of Devon’s parents, Sonny and Carol, before he courted her. “I’m very serious with her. I admit I used to have an attitude, but I was only 19 or 20 then. I was still trying to figure out what’s right.”

Kiko said Devon understands his quirks. “I’m not the easiest person to be with, and she puts up with me. I’ve been doing a lot of things lately. I try to be the character I portray as much as possible, and because she’s also an actor, she understands that. She knows how committed I am to my work.”

For his part, the actor said he would often try to boost Devon’s confidence by constantly reminding her how good an actress she is. “She had ‘Bakwit Boys’ and ‘Walwal,’ and she was good in both films, but she doesn’t believe in herself. So I keep telling her how good she is,” Kiko shared with the Inquirer. “I fell in love with that girl because despite having so much greatness in her, she doesn’t seem to know it.”

Kiko added: “I’m not shy to talk about my feelings for this beautiful woman. I was in darkness when she came into my life. She proved to me that there is light.” Whatever he meant by his last statement, the young actor did not elaborate.

However, he did say that Devon keeps him grounded. “She teaches me to be humble and to live simply, yet I have that hunger to always prove myself. She inspires me to work for my future. It’s because of her that I’m ambitious.”

Quality work

“I’ve committed to myself that in 2019, I would produce quality work,” added the son of actors Gary Estrada and Cheska Diaz. Kiko is currently promoting his latest film, Charlotte Dianco’s “Promdi,” an official entry in the 2019 Singkuwento International Film Festival Manila Philippines (SIFFMP).

The drama follows the story of a farm boy named Fernie who dreams of a better future, not just for himself, but also for his family. He leaves his simple life in the province to study in the city through a scholarship. He takes part-time jobs just to support his daily expenses.
“Fernie encounters bullies here,” said Kiko. “The film tries to say that, at some point, you have to fight back and report the abuse.”

Kiko added that the challenge in making “Promdi” was having to shoot scenes for 26 hours straight. “It was raining during the shoot. Direk guided me every second,” he recalled. “I agreed to do this role because my character and I are similar— we’re both fighting to fulfill our dreams. It’s about bouncing back from adversity, and It’ll tug at your heartstrings.”

“Promdi” will be screened, along with other Singkuwento entries, at the National Center for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) theater in Intramuros, Manila from Feb. 13 to 22.