First, the good news: Jake Ejercito, the reluctant-star son of reelected Manila Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada with former actress Laarni Enriquez, will soon tuck up a Master’s Degree in Marketing from a university in Singapore.
Now, the “sad” news: After starring with AlDub love team Alden Richards and Maine Mendoza in God Gave Me You, an episode of the Eat, Bulaga! Holy Week specials last March, Jake is not included in the cast of Imagine You & Me, AlDub’s first solo starrer (after co-starring with Vic Sotto and Ai-Ai delas Alas in the 2015 Metro Filmfest entry My Bebe Love #Kilig Pa More). Can’t take a leave from school, probably.
After campaigning for Dad Erap, Jake went back to Singapore, but not before having an interview/Body Talk with Funfare.
“Politics is in our blood, all right,” said Jake, “it’s in our system already,” recalling that he attended the “impeachment trial” for his dad. “Medyo mahilig ako sa politics but I seem to have gotten disillusioned. Before Singapore, I lived with my sister Erika in London where I also studied. I could see the big difference between our country and those two countries, so parang nakaka-walang gana. Now, I wouldn’t want to go into politics. I think that I can still help people without going into politics, maybe through an NGO (Non-Government Organization). Erika’s advocacy is mental health. I’m looking for my own advocacy.”
In the interview published in this corner last March, Jake neither confirmed nor denied that he is the father of Andi Eigenmann’s daughter Elli except to say that he treats the girl like his own and that when Ellie was born, he was in London.
Anyway, here are snatches of the hurried Body Talk with Jake (who turned 26 last March 27):
What vitamins do you take?
“Vitamin C.”
How much sleep do you get per night?
“Less than eight hours. I have no problem sleeping. I make it a point to tire myself so I can sleep easily.”
Favorite sleepwear?
“Boxers.”
Do you ever sleep in the nude?
“Never! I sleep with the air-con turned on full blast because I love the feel of my comforter.”
How many pillows do you sleep with?
“Two. One under my head and the other I hug.”
Last thing that you do before you go to sleep?
“After checking my e-mail…to make me feel drowsy... I watch TV, either How To Get Away With Murder or House Of Cards.”
First thing that you do as soon as you wake up?
“I linger in bed for a few minutes.”
How do you de-stress?
“Get a hard, full-body and deep-tissue massage. Listen to lounge music.”
Favorite cities?
“I have gone to more than 20 countries so far. My favorite cities are London and Hong Kong…London because it’s the melting pot of all cultures, lahat ng nationalities nandoon, and people are open-minded and understanding. And Hong Kong because it’s cosmopolitan, East-meets-West ang dating, and even when it was under British Rule it retained its Chinese-ness.”
Outlook in life?
“More of a pessimist than a realist.”
Love life?
“Wala. More than a year na.” (In the interview, Jake admitted that he went steady with Andi for “four to five years” and they broke up “two years ago.”)
Present status?
“Single and very willing to mingle, hahaha!”
What kind of girl do you like?
“Yung may confidence and with a nice smile.”
Nightlife?
“I used to go out a lot, usually at The Fort, automatic na ‘yon kapag walang ginagawa. Now, I prefer to go out of town and explore different places. When I am down, I go to a new place by myself. It helps me recharge. Even when I’m alone, I don’t get lonely.”
Ever been heart-broken?
“Oh yes. Everybody goes through it, I guess. I learned a lot from that heartbreak. That was five years ago when I was based in London. It was my longest relationship.”
Three women that you find sexy?
“Emma Watson, Jennifer Lawrence and Olivia Wilde.”
Using only body language, how would you make a woman know that you admire her?
“Usually, I wink at her in a subtle way. I have a confession to make. I am a closet introvert. When I like a girl, most of the time nato-torpe ako.”
(E-mail reactions at entphilstar@yahoo.com. You may also send your questions to askrickylo@gmail.com. For more updates, photos and videos visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on www.twitter/therealrickylo.)