Dingdong, Jessa on daughter Jayda: ‘She’s proving to be her own person’
MANILA, Philippines — Original Pilipino Music (OPM) hitmakers and celebrity couple Dingdong Avanzado and Jessa Zaragoza had already seen their daughter Jayda’s knack for music and acting even at an early age.
So they were not surprised when Jayda decided to join showbiz and that she is now part of Kapamilya’s roster of talents.
“We expected that but we didn’t force her,” Dingdong told The STAR in a brief chat during the screening event of Teen Clash held at Trinoma Mall Cinema. Jayda is the lead star of the rom-com teen series, produced by iWantTFC and Black Sheep, and opposite Aljon Mendoza.
“Early on, we know Jayda was very musical. We also noticed that she loves to act because she writes stories… She also learned how to write songs. Her focus was really music but I knew deep down inside, pwede talaga siya in the world of show business,” continued Dingdong.
“She could also act and she had proven it,” added the singer.
“I saw it when she was young. I said, of course, (a) little rough around the edges, but her dedication (is there.)”
He also described Jayda as a “very intelligent actress.” “She still has a lot to learn but right now, the way I’m seeing it, magandang experience ‘to for her. And she’s with ABS-CBN, so that’s very good.”
As parents, Dingdong and Jessa said they are trusting their unica hija with her career decisions. The latter said, “We are just here to guide and support her if we are needed to. We have been in the industry for quite some time. We have wisdom na pwedeng ma-share sa kanya. But when it comes to decisions and everything, it’s all up to her.”
Dingdong likewise stressed that they “instill discipline as parents.” He said, “Hindi pwedeng lahat na lang ng gusto niya mangyayari. Sometimes, you have to work at it, hindi naman pwede lahat ibigay mo. It’s like you have to earn it.”
“We can see that she wants to have her own. Hindi yung because anak siya namin or something. That’s very important to her. That she is proving herself to be her own person. And even her music, even if you listen to her music, it’s not her mom’s music, or my music. She has her own identity,” he said of their 19-year-old daughter.
Dingdong shared that they taught Jayda at a young age to be “authentic and true to herself.” And that’s what they are hoping for Jayda’s journey in the industry. “You will see that unfold. Yung artistry ni Jayda. Kasi she has so much to share for everybody and I hope that people will appreciate her for her music and who she is (as an artist.)”
The pair’s advice to Jayda in terms of her music career is to “love your craft and enjoy it” and “always trust God’s plan and will.”
When it comes to love, their constant reminder is to “not rush things.”
“There are responsibilities and consequences attached to those things,” said Dingdong. “But love is a beautiful thing when it happens, especially with the right person and at the right time. So, we just let her grow.”
“Of course, at the end of the day, tao pa rin naman si Jayda. She’s a girl who just wants to experience life and enjoy life. And that’s what we tell her, ‘Don’t rush into things.’ She has a good head on her shoulders. So, I think Jayda knows that and she knows her priorities so kung mangyayari, it will happen eventually.”
Moreover, Dingdong and Jessa were also proud of Jayda’s acting debut in Teen Clash and noted her onscreen chemistry with Aljon.
Now on its fifth episode, Teen Clash streams every Friday on the iWantTFC app (iOs and Android) and website (iwanttfc.com). It was based on Ilyn Anne Danganan’s hit Wattpad story.
The series follows the journey of Zoe (Jayda), an aspiring musician who gives her all to join a band competition to fulfill her dream of going on tour with her idol and crush, Jude (Markus Patterson). Aljon plays Ice, a songwriter and Zoe’s potential lover, who will later attempt to help her overcome her struggles as a musician.
Teen Clash is helmed by Gino Santos and also stars Andrea Abaya (Mandy), Bianca de Vera (Yannie), Zach Castañeda (Xander), Gail Banawis (Ayumi), Ralph Malibunas (Ken), Fana (Sab), Kobie Brown (Josh) and Luke Alford (Lloyd).
“Bagay silang onscreen partner. Ganda ng chemistry nila. They look good together,” Jessa commented on Jayda and Aljon’s loveteam.
Dingdong, on the other hand, said that seeing her daughter in a love team is something that needs, “I’ll be honest as a dad, siyempre hindi ako sa… anak mo nasa love team, ’di ba? I mean familiar ako sa love team, kasi nakita ko naman yan around dito sa kultura natin. Nandiyan talaga ang love team. It’s part of it.”
“But seeing your daughter to be in a love team, sometimes it can be very parang nakakapanibago. I’m trying to look for a word, eh. I wanted to say unsettling but I don’t know if that’s the right word,” he shared.
“Kasi anak mo, di ba? But I’m very realistic in the sense that we are in this business. You know you have to... it’s not gonna work if it’s not… na hindi mo i-embrace yun. And I think that’s part of it. They have to embrace their role onscreen and all. Both of them are doing a good job,” he added.
He, nevertheless, mentioned the two’s “undeniable chemistry” and the cast members’ respective pairings. “Ang galing nga. Naaliw ako sa paanong nangyayari. Andaming nangyayari dun sa Teen Clash na nakakatuwa. Lahat gusto mong subaybayan. They have their own story and how it was melded together, it really makes for an interesting series.”
Meanwhile, Dingdong and Jessa just celebrated their 22th anniversary as a couple. The former shared that their secret to their long-lasting relationship is their “respect for each other.” “We are not monotonous. May iba-iba kaming… yung araw namin hindi routine. Minsan naiiba tsaka we have our own, may mga ‘me’ time kami.”
“It’s very important that you have that — individuality. But at the same time, you value what you have together and focus yung priority with the family,” he furthered.
Jessa, who is currently in the Unites States for her The Phenomenal Jukebox Tour, chimed in, “(It’s all about) patience, respect and love.”
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