Photography ARTU NEPOMUCENO
Videography LUCAS DAVID
Make Up JORENCE DE LIMOS
Hair RON ROS
Fashion Styling JOHN LOZANO
By: Sherry Tenorio
Coming up with an apropos introduction for a woman who does not really need one is quite challenging. Her surname, first of all, is that of a prominent political and show business family in the Philippines. But, Jerika Ejercito has proven that she is her own woman – an individual who avoids politics and shies away from showbiz, but adores public service.
We met her at 81 Xavier Residences, a young towering skyscraper across an exclusive school in Greenhills. Thinking she would arrive with an army of bodyguards was wrong. Her entourage included her executive assistant, a fashion stylist-slash-best friend, a nanny and her two-year old son. Clad in a loose white sweater and tight black leggings, Jerika warmly greeted and went straight to the makeup chair, ready to do business.
In a Happy State
Warming up to Metro Manila’s sweetheart was easy, for she appeared chirpy, especially when she made a strong claim to happiness: “I’m in a good place. My son is okay. I’m doing okay. I’m happy working with my father. I love what I’m doing and I’m really passionate about it.”
At 30 years old, Jerika is delighted with her roles. A doting hands-on single mother, she makes sure that her schedule, like the interview and shoot we had with her, would always permit time spent with her son Isaiah. A public servant who works side-by-side with her father – she recently took over responsibilities of Initiatives for Life and Actions of Women (Ilaw) ng Maynila, a program that supports mothers in the slum areas, working on such issues as drug abuse and violence against women. Also, she continues to manage her ‘baby,’ Be Healed Foundation, an organization that helps women deal with depression.
But Jerika’s journey to the ‘good place,’ as she puts it, was not as smooth as she wished it would be. It was a terrible, bumpy ride that required her to accept her condition, honestly search her soul for the solution and to cautiously but decisively fight her demons. Jerika chose healing.
Young and Troubled
It was difficult to admit, but she went through depression when she was sixteen years old. Daughter to the former Philippine president and now mayor of Manila, Joseph Ejercito Estrada, and the former actress Laarni Enriquez, this ‘morena’ beauty has had a life under constant public scrutiny. Her family was under fire when her father was convicted and impeached in the year 2000. Bullied for her father’s actions, she and her younger brothers (Jake, 10, and Jacob, 4,) had to skip school to avoid people’s harsh judgments.
“It’s no secret what happened to my dad. It was very hard for us since the country ostracized us. So, we were not surprised that the family had to send me to the UK, and my brothers to the US,” she shared with somewhat nervous alacrity, seemingly wanting to hastily finish this discussion about that portion in her life when she suffered undiagnosed post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
The then seventeen-year old Jerika began a new life abroad. She completed her high school in Cobham Hall Boarding School in Kent, and then she moved to London to study Business Administration at the American Intercontinental University and her master’s degree in Marketing at Westminster University. She told Calyxta, “I never looked back to the Philippines. I built a completely different life outside the country. I even worked as a waitress when I was in college. So, I was remorseful when I was asked to return home. It was the worst time of my life since I was still angry at what they did to us.”
In her journey towards healing, the universe continued to surprise the gorgeous Jerika Ejercito. In May 2013, she received the biggest life-changing blessing of her life. She became a mother.
“When I became a mom, I realized that the world does not revolve around me. Life became more hectic yet simple. Motherhood paved the way for me to let go of the unnecessary, and just focus on what matters: my child. And, I started to forget about my issues. It became all about him – all about Isaiah,” Jerika glanced at her son, and quipped with a tender voice, that revealed further about her heart’s soft spot.
But being a mother – a single mother – was one tough decision that Jerika bravely faced. “No, it wasn’t a surprise that I got pregnant, but I didn’t plan on being a single mom. I honestly thought I was going to end up with his father. I was born in an unorthodox family – my family is very special – so I promised myself never would I ever have a broken family. So when I got pregnant, I really said ‘Hey you know what, it’s going to be the three of us but you know, things happen. Life happens,” she continued telling the story with firmness that simply showed how she gathered up courage in raising the child on her own.
Thankfully, her friends and family showered her with support during this period of her life – except for her father. Jerika recalled the incident while putting on the slippers of her son as he readied to go out for a short nursery class, “I’m a daddy’s girl, and it hurt me the most when my father did not speak to me when I had the unplanned pregnancy. It took another six months after Isaiah’s birth for my father to speak to me. It’s as if nothing happened – he fell in love with my boy, too. My son calls him ‘daddylo’.”
Now, as she juggles the many areas of her life, the hands-on mommy, public servant, and busy socialista learns the ropes of time management. So, what changed from being single to a mother? Jerika said, “I sleep more,” and laughed incessantly.
Seriously speaking, she noted the huge difference from the way she sets her priorities and allots her time. She shared, “I work for long hours so I make sure that my mornings are for spending time with Isaiah. I also have to make sure that I come home to tuck him to bed, and when it’s possible, I really have to make the mornings work for our bonding. I also ensure that my weekends are set only for Isaiah.”
Jerika also found that she takes care of herself more now that she is a mom. “Motherhood is a huge responsibility. So, I told myself that if I wanted to be a good mom, I have to be good to myself. I have to remain strong, and really grounded for Isaiah,” she added.
Meanwhile, Jerika pencils in travelling dates with her partner and her son in order to give herself ample of time to relax from her frenetic schedule. She showed their pictures on Instagram, and said, “Boracay was the last vacation I was with Isaiah. I had no help, so I was totally hands-on 24/7 to the needs of my kid. When we travelled, Isaiah’s luggage was heavier than mine. Because he’s asthmatic, I had to bring his nebulizer, all his meds and his clothes. I had to choose what is more important: my Louis Vuitton bags or his nebulizer? So, I advise the mothers travelling with kids to not even think of shopping or packing too many outfits. Just be comfortable, and make sure you bond with your child – that’s the whole point of travelling with kids.” With excitement, Jerika furthered, “I might be travelling with Isaiah to Spain this December, just before Christmas!”
Although her life is flowing smoothly and beautifully now, Jerika knows that people would always have a say about her and about her being mom. “People will always judge. Before, I used to absorb all the negative comments. Now, I make sure I am okay as a person. It’s my duty to be okay. It’s my duty as a mom,” she concluded our discussion about her life’s journey, and then explored to something light and wonderful – her kikay kit, beauty regimen and Hollywood crushes. Learn more about it on the third of our series next week.
“Do you really want to know my secret?” the bubbly Jerika Ejercito asked us as we dug deeper into her beauty regimen. With famous parents such as Joseph Estrada and Laarni Enriquez, and good-looking brothers such as Jake Ejercito and Jacob Ejercito, it was not surprising that Jerika revealed, “I’m gifted with good genes. That’s it!”
The stunning morena keeps a pretty simple routine when it comes to taking care of her naturally beautiful skin. “I usually have a hectic schedule so I keep my nighttime regimen really simple. I just wash my face with soap, and moisturize my skin with Argan oil,” said Jerika.
Aside from the soap and Argan oil, Jerika included two more of her skincare must-haves: sleep and water. “I drink a lot of water” she shared between bursts of giggles. I also try my best to sleep for at least six hours a day. I also watch what I eat now, and join the races. And, of course, I pair up with a good makeup artist.”
However, despite her down-to-earth beauty regimen, Jerika mentioned that as a child, she did have a deeper fascination with makeup. “My mom was an artista so when I was growing up, I would see her getting dolled up. So, I would try to emulate her – grab her lipstick, use her makeup, and try on her clothes and shoes,” Jerika recalled.
Now, the gorgeoue mommy herself, she balances this deep makeup fascination with a more practical and natural beauty approach. She wouldn’t come out of the house without these makeup must-haves on: concealer, lip tint and cheek tint. Jerika swore, “With concealer and tint, I’m totally alright.”
We know that she has a golden heart that beats for the people who have clinical depression, an experience she herself went through. We know that she is a doting mother who believes that her son fills holes in her heart she has not recognized before. We also understand her insights towards beauty, and how she takes care of her health and wellness more now than ever.
But, there are things that have not been told about this bubbly beauty. Here, we give you a lowdown on what makes Jerika quite conventional. Like the most of us, she craves for rest. She struggles with her mom. And, she likes Hollywood, specifically Tyson Beckford.
Kiddie time
Her bonding moment with her son, Isaiah, is quite stereotypical. It revolves around eating, reading, watching movies and playing. What makes it extra special are the cuddles and kisses that she shares with him, the one she admits to be the love of her life.
Pocket travels
Jerika loves travelling. She said, “To relax, I travel.” During our meeting, she just came back from a trip to Spain. And at that moment, she was contemplating a two-week getaway to Cebu, and a long holiday trip back to Spain. She quipped, “I try to give myself a good break.”
Daddy’s girl
A self-confessed daddy’s girl, Jerika admitted that sometimes she feels that her father, Manila’s Mayor Joseph Estrada, would still treat her like a child. “I think he forgets I’m already thirty one. But, I understand that because we’re super close,” she explained. Yet she revealed that when it came to her mother, they would have disagreements, like every daughter would have experienced. “It’s like one minute, we love each other, then the following minute, I’ll be wanting her to leave me alone,” she shared with shrieks of laughter.
Most beautiful
Naturally gorgeous, Jerika appears to be the type of being assured about how she looks. Yet, the petite morena confessed that she feels most beautiful when she would get praises from her loved ones, especially from her boyfriend. She smiled and said, “Miguel is very vocal. So, when he tells me, I feel it’s the best compliment. I’m cheesy like that.”
Fun facts
Here are some fun facts that reveal more about Manila’s sweetheart:
Black or White? Black
French fries or Salad? French fries
Go out or Sleep? Sleep
Hair up or Hair down? Hair down
Books or TV? Books
Shoes or Bags? Bags
Flats or Stilettos? Flats
Cristiano Ronaldo or Tyson Beckford? Tyson Beckford!
