Son of the former President Joseph “Erap” Estrada, Jake Ejercito recently opened up about his co-parenting status with his former girlfriend, Andi Eigenmann, with whom he has a daughter named Ellie who is now 8 years old.
“Andi and I have a schedule to follow. Yung result ng out-of-court settlement, we just stick to that schedule. Parang every other week si Ellie sa akin.”
He said in an interview with PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) last January 23.
Jake attended the press conference of his first-ever big-screen project, Adolfo Alix Jr.’s “Coming Home,” which was held at Discovery Suites in Ortigas Center.
He also talked about how happy and proud he is for Ellie’s mom, Andi, because she chose to prioritize her simple family life in Siargao over the glitz and glamour of the entertainment industry.
“I’m very proud of her actually dahil tinalikuran niya ang show business for a simpler life. For as long as she’s happy.”
He said.
The 29-year-old celebrity mom has been based in Siargao for several years already, and in August last year, she welcomed her second daughter and first child with her current partner, surfing champion Philmar Alipayo. They named their daughter as Baby Keliana Alohi “Lilo” Eigenmann Alipayo.
It was in November last year when Jake met baby Lilo at the 8th birthday celebration of Ellie, he said.
“I’ve met baby Lilo, napaka-cute. Nag-celebrate ng birthday niya si Ellie, dinala ni Andi yung baby niya, then na-meet ko na. And si Ellie, very excited to be an ate. Sabi ko sa kanya, sorry, hindi ko pa siya mabibigyan ng kapatid.”
The 30-year-old celebrity father also noticed that her daughter is already mature for her age.
“Since meron na siyang baby sister kay Andi, sinasabi niya, gusto niya, baby brother. Kasi, she’s already eight na rin. Nandoon na yung responsible na siya, gusto na rin niya siguro to be an ate.”
“Kami ni Andi, we were 21 [years old] nang ipinanganak si Ellie, medyo magkabarkada yung relationship namin ni Ellie. Parang kahapon nga, nagbibihis ako, pinuna niya yung suot ko, hindi raw bagay yung sandals sa top ko. Parang ganoon.”
He continued.
Sharing more of their co-parenting status, Jake said that he has managed to form a close relationship with her daughter as they see each other regularly.
“Andi and I have a schedule to follow. Yung result ng out-of-court settlement, we just stick to that schedule. Parang every other week si Ellie sa akin.”
He was also allowed to bring Ellie out of town, or abroad, of course, with her mom’s permission. Jake even revealed that her daughter is joining Ejercito’s family on a trip to Japan in February.
“Two weeks from now, we’re going to fly to Japan, kasama yung mga siblings ko at mga pamangkin. Family rin siya. Excited si Ellie, kasi first time niyang makakakita, makakahawak ng snow, kaya doon kami pupunta.”
He shared.
When asked about his realization when he becomes a father and how this changed his life, Jake said:
“Yung buhay ko, nag-180-degree turn for the better. Bigla akong naging responsible. Kasi, hindi na lang sarili ko ang iniisip ko. I have to think of the future of my daughter. Yung responsibility mo sa life, yun ang nagbago sa akin.”
For his part, Jake still doesn’t see himself settling down like what his former girlfriend is doing right now.
He said:
“As of now, Ellie is enough. I don’t long to be in a relationship. At least not yet. Siguro, darating din tayo diyan. Pero right now, hindi ko pa talaga iniisip.”