Jerika Ejercito Resolute & relevant

MANILA, Philippines -  She has the forgiving heart of her father and the willful spirit of her mother. But Jerika Ejercito, eldest child of former President and now Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada and former actress Laarni Enriquez, remains her own person. She is distinct in her kindness, resolute in her drive, unflinching in her belief.

Before she reached her full potential, however, her mettle had to be put to the test first.

She was 15 when her father was impeached. As a result, she was bullied in school. In 2002, to shield her from further pain, her parents sent her to a boarding school called Cobham Hall in London. Then she pursued Business Administration at the University of Westminster.

After nine years of being in London, she returned home — unsure of what was waiting for her. “I came home in 2011. Everything had changed in the Philippines but my resentment towards what happened to my father remained. I underwent depression,” Jerika humbly confides. She derived strength from her family. “It helped that I witnessed how my father forgave those who abandoned him. He really has a very forgiving heart.”

Her search for her own peace of mind led her to establishing Be Healed Foundation. Five years ago, she put up this mental health foundation for marginalized people who suffer from depression. She has partnered with government rehabilitation centers in Metro Manila and soon the foundation’s reach will be felt in Cebu. “I was able to help myself by helping other people — those who did not have the capacity to help themselves,” says Jerika, who is also a painter. Her insightful paintings are displayed in the paradisiacal Kandaya resort in Daanbantayan, Cebu. “I hope to pick up the brush again and hold my own exhibit,” she says.

Last October, she started to help the administration of her dad in the city of Manila by establishing Ilaw Ng Maynila, an organization that helps address the many concerns of mothers in the slum areas. These concerns include drug addiction among the youth and their elders, rape and incest cases, among other problems that break mothers’ hearts.

Jerika will soon work on putting up the first ever women’s  shelter in Manila. She also intends to establish a first-class drug rehabilitation center in the city. “In our country, drug addiction is the No. 1 problem. There should be a two-pronged approach to combat it: spend on crime prevention but also spend on rehabilitating the victim,” she says. With her advocacies, Jerika wants to bring change in people’s lives — “one family at a time, one victim at a time, one patient at a time.”

If she has her way, Jerika wants to assure her two-year-old son Isaiah that he will grow up in peaceful surroundings. It is from him that she also gets the inspiration to serve others.

With the kindness of her heart, she has discovered the kindness of other people, too. From them, Jerika derives her resolute will to be relevant all the time.

Photography by RITA MARIE • Creative direction by LUIS ESPIRITU JR. • Makeup by RIA AQUINO for MAC Cosmetics • Hairstyling by GEORGE ALIBEN for Kiehl’s Stylist Series • Styling by DIANE LASAM • Jewelry by MILADAY JEWELS • Drape-detailed dress by ANTHONY RAMIREZ and wrap-around jumpsuit by GUI ALAPAN