Jestoni: Balancing work & family through the years

Like good wines, the matinee idols of our youth seem to get better as they mature. Two examples are Edu Manzano who, at 60, still maintains a trim figure and mestizo good looks; and Jestoni Alarcon, who looks even better now at 53 (his birthday is on May 29).
The latter currently stars on Kapuso Network’s series D’ Originals as Lando Magpayo, husband of Josie (Jaclyn Jose) and lover of his social climbing secretary Yvette (Katrina Halili). 

Jestoni has been in show business for 33 years. His first big screen role was in the 1985 movie Naked Paradise but it was his role as Robertito in the 1986 horror classic Huwag Mong Buhayin Ang Bangkay that caught the attention of moviegoers.
“When people recall that movie, they remember I was in it. It was a certified box-office hit,” he said in the vernacular. At the time, he was also part of the late German Moreno’s hit weekday show That’s Entertainment.

Jestoni went on to star in a string of sexy films before graduating to drama and action flicks. The small screen beckoned and soon he was also starring in drama soap operas and fantaseryes.

He credits his longevity in the fickle showbiz world to his professionalism — but not before joking that it could partly be because of his good looks. “I guess yung pagiging professional ko sa trabaho. Kailangan marunong ka rin makibagay sa mga sitwasyon.”

He cites location shoots as examples. “May mga aberya. Siyempre, you have to wait. Patience ang importante and then yung pag-improve mo ng craft mo. Yung 33 years ko na yan, ang dami ko na pinagdaanan. Ang daming stages dyan.”

With D’ Originals director Adolf Alix Jr. and stars Mikoy Morales, Jaclyn Jose and Chlaui Malayao

Jestoni is also thankful for the producers and entertainment press who supported him then and continue to support him now.

It also helps that after the long hours of shooting and his other job as a provincial board member (his second term) of Rizal, he has a family to come home to. His wife Lizette and children are his pride and joy.

“After work, iniiwan ko na yung role ko sa set. Whatever the role may be — action, comedy, horror or kahit nakikipag-kiss pa ako sa leading lady ko — hanggang dun na lang yun. Family time should be quality time,” he said.

Jestoni Alarcon (with wife) is on his second term as a provincial board member of Rizal

His kids are okay with having a celebrity father. He and his wife raise them as normally as possible. “Hindi ko sila tinatago dahil sa mga tao and yung pag-aaral nila, normal naman. We attend all their school events. Hindi sila napabayaan. Lalo yung wife ko, super hands-on yan.”

Despite his busy schedule, Jestoni makes time for his family. A few weeks ago, they headed for Baguio for a short vacation. 

The long hours can take a toll on one’s health but Jestoni seems to have mastered the art of the catnap.

“Di ba dapat by 10 or 11 p.m. tulog ka na para tama yung tulog mo? Since nature ng trabaho ko is puyatan, ang ginagawa ko ’pag nasa set ako lalo ’pag wala akong eksena, tinutulog ko na lang muna. And then kapag okay na, dun na ako makikipagusap. Kasi kapag inabot ka ng madaling araw, kailangan makabawi ka.”

He doesn’t keep a strict diet but he eats mindfully. He avoids fatty foods, preferring vegetables and fruits, “yung meat parang sahog na lang.” 

He and his wife go for medical check-ups every six months “para ma-monitor ko rin yung health ko talaga.”

Asked what other roles he would like to portray, Jestoni said he was open to all possible roles. “Wala naman na akong inaambisyon na roles pa kasi para sa akin, every role is a challenge so gusto kong gawin yun. Like my role in D’ Originals, gusto kong gawin ito kasi hindi pa ako nakakagawa ng ganitong type of comedy-romance.”

D’ Originals airs on GMA weekdays.