Jake Ejercito Says He’s Very Grateful To Philmar For Being Ellie’s Stepdad, ‘Ni Hindi Ko Siya Iniisip Or Pinoproblema’

In an interview with Ogie Diaz, Jake Ejercito candidly shared his insights on his role as a father, and the reason why he tries his best to maintain a close relationship with his daughter Ellie.

Jake shared that he thinks that their close age gap might be one reason for their strong bond. He said, “I was 21 when she was born. So parang yun na nga yung naging dynamics namin, parang magkapatid or magbarkada. And I enjoy it that way.”

“Parang mas gusto ko na lumalaki si Ellie na mas open siya sa akin, na she trusts me,” the actor further said. “Mas gusto ko yun kaysa kinatatakutan niya ako or nagtatago siya, may mga sikreto siya sa akin.”

And if their Instagram posts and conversations are any indication, it seems that the dad-daughter duo’s close bond is goal-worthy. From deadpan texts, to Taylor Swift’s concert, to their trips abroad, it shows how truly devoted Jake is to his daughter with actress Andi Eigenmann.

Jake also admits that he tried to be a present dad to Ellie right from the start, even during Andi’s pregnancy. “When she was born kasi, unfortunately, I was based in London. I was studying that time,” he recounted. “Pero my first trip back home, she was a few months old. I made it a point na makita ko siya. Nakarga ko, may mga pasalubong pa ako sa kanya. So from the very beginning. Nasa tyan pa siya ni Andi.”

Jake partly credits his commitment to maintaining a close relationship with his daughter to his childhood experiences. Jake is the son of the former actor and Philippine president, Joseph Ejercito Estrada or more popularly known as Erap, with former actress Laarni Enriquez. He has two full siblings, and 7 half-siblings.

“Nung bata kami, mina-maximize lang namin whatever time yung meron kami with our dad. Kasi nga, hindi lang naman kami yung nagma-may-ari kay daddy, diba? Marami kaming magkakapatid,” he shared. “So kapag maychance kami na makasama siya, talagang yun nga, gigising kami, ganyan.

“So nung nagkaroon ako ng sariling anak, yan yung ayaw kong maramdaman niya. I just always want to make sure na may time kami for each other,” Jake emphasized. “Kaya nga pag wala ako sa taping, I make it a point na makita siya. Kung hindi siya pwede lumipad dito, ako ang lilipad sa Siargao para lang makasama siya. Siguro don nanggagaling yun, kasi yun nga. I want her and I to have that bonded relationship.”

From Manila to Siargao and back again

In 2017, Andi and Ellie moved to Siargao; the two have since established themselves there and built a family, along with Philmar Alipayo, and younger siblings, Lilo and Koa. Jake said that the setup works for them and that Ellie is even the one who decides on where she will spend her time. “Pag nasa akin siya tapos sasabihin niya, ‘Daddy, I miss mommy, I miss my siblings.’ O sige, let’s book a flight. Ganon din pag nasa Siargao siya, pag sinabi niya kay Andi na gusto niyang bumalik ng Manila. So usually more or less, 1 month with me, a month with Andi,” he shared. On Ellie’s education, he said, “Ellie is being homeschooled, so nakaka-adjust sa schedule.”

He said this is an improvement to their setup before the move. “Since they moved to Siargao, wala nang fixed schedule, dati kasi meron eh, when they were still based in Manila. Dati kasi, diba, binibilang pa namin ni Andi yung mga araw. 14 days sa akin, eh di dapat 14 days din si Andi. We were young, immature, prideful,” he admitted.

"Kasi kung hindi ka ready, anong mangyayari sa anak mo, diba? So kung hindi ka ready, huwag mo gawin.”--Jake Ejercito

Jake, Andi, and Philmar

This means that Jake and Andi have also found a co-parenting rhythm that works for them. “The line is always open naman between Andi and I. We’re not the best of friends pero para kay Ellie, syempre we want what’s best for her. So pinag uusapan namin mostly about her education, medical stuff, bills niya.

“Open communication, I think that’s what’s most important sa co-parenting,” he said with a laugh.

On Andi’s husband, Philmar, Jake admitted that “I’ve met him several times pag pumupunta ako sa Siargao. I mean he’s been kind, courteous.”

Jake also expressed his gratefulness to Philmar, saying, “Thankful lang din ako sa kanya, kasi syempre, si Ellie, nakatira sa bahay nila, diba. And as a stepfather, I’m sure inaalagaan niya rin si Ellie. Wala naman reklamo si Ellie sa akin about him, so very grateful ako na ganon. Ni hindi ko siya iniisip or pinoproblema. So I’m sure na Ellie is in good hands kay Philmar.”

“It may look easy, but it’s not”

With regards to parenting, Jake offered a few words of advice for other young husbands or young dads. He said, “It may look easy, but it’s not. Make sure na ready ka. Hindi lang financially, but mentally, emotionally. Kasi kung hindi ka ready, anong mangyayari sa anak mo, diba? So kung hindi ka ready, huwag mo gawin.”

Pertaining to his situation when Ellie was conceived, he shared, “Hindi ko naman pinlano eh. But I guess may mga tao dito na yun yung nakatadhana sa kanila. And thankfully, I had a great support system na tinulungan ako. Especially during those early years.”

Truly, Jake’s love, dedication, and unwavering commitment as a dad to Ellie is nothing short of inspiring.

Click here to learn 10 things new dads can do as they enter fatherhood.