Is success a matter of fate? Does successfully achieving your goals in the material world depend on what family name you carry?
Jolo Estrada came from a prominent clan known both in showbiz and political scenes. His last name can easily tell you that he was born with a silver spoon in his mouth, and as a child, he had all the best things.
He is the grandchild of former president and movie icon Joseph Estrada. His father? Senatorial aspirant Jinggoy Estrada.
But Jolo wishes to accomplish success through his own hard work. He wanted to be recognized for the efforts he puts into the things he does.
“I consider being born into a political and showbiz family both a blessing and a curse,” the young Estrada told Manila Standard in an interview.
“It’s a blessing because you already have the leverage. Apo yan ni Erap, anak yan ni Jinngoy, he comes from a prominent bloodline. But it’s also a curse because everyone watches your every move. You don’t have privacy. And at the same time, people have high expectations of you,” he carried on.
Given its cons, this doesn’t hinder the young Estrada from carving his own path. At 26, he has already established himself as an entrepreneur. He owns a bar and a fitness gym. And early this year, he signed with talent manager Leo V. Dominguez, who’s helping him map a career in showbiz.
Although he has appeared in a film before, Tatay Kong Sexy (2016) with his dad and actress Maja Salvador, it’s only now that he’s dipping his toes completely in showbiz.
On Sunday, Jolo makes his first dramatic appearance on television via Regal Studio Presents, and it’s just one of the projects that he’s going to do with the production outfit as confirmed by Roselle Monteverde.
“We worked with him in the film Seasons with Lovi Poe, and we saw his potential that’s why we have lined up a few projects for him. In his first TV project, he portrayed his character very well,” the Regal executive said.
In Regal Studio Presents: Ethan’s Return, Jolo shares the screen with young actor Joaquin Domagoso, the son of Presidential aspirant and Manila Mayor Isko Moreno.
“It’s so funny that he didn’t know that I’m Erap’s grandchild. During our break from taping I told him, ‘Hey, I know your dad. He’s a very nice guy.’ And he asked me, ‘How do you know my dad?’ It was one of my co-actors who told him that I’m Jinggoy’s son. And that’s the only point that he realized that our families have history,” Jolo shared.
“But you know, that’s all in the past. JD is such a nice guy and very easy to work with. We had a great time on set,” he added.
As showbiz beckons, a career in politics could also be in the horizon. It’s the trend, as we all know.
“Well, I’m from a political family. And now I’m trying to be an actor. I’m not closing my doors. I can’t really tell what the future holds for me. But at the moment, I want to focus on my showbiz career and my other businesses,” he stated.
“I want to be a better actor. I may not reach the superstar status of my grandfather, but I’m doing my best to be good at acting. I think that should be the foundation,” Jolo said.
How the Estradas spend Christmas “It’s a family affair,” Jolo exclaimed.
Like every Filipino family, the Estradas traditionally spend Christmas together for a night of playing games and exchanging stories over “some booze.”
“On Christmas Eve, we normally go to Lolo Erap’s house for Noche Buena. We do the normal stuff, we open gifts after eating then karaoke till 3:00 a.m. Then, on the 25th, it’s Christmas lunch with the entire clan. But the pandemic change that,” Jolo shared.
Before the pandemic, Dec. 25 was a family reunion for the Estradas. Everyone was present, all accounted for.
“We’re a big family. We’re around 200 people gathering on Christmas Day. But since the pandemic, we just do it virtually,” Jolo said adding that just like last year, the Estradas will just do a zoom party.