Kaila Estrada Gets Real About Acting Alongside Her Parents Janice De Belen And John Estrada

Stepping into the entertainment industry was never part of the obvious plan for Kaila Estrada—and it definitely wasn't something her parents, Janice de Belen and John Estrada, immediately saw coming. The actress revealed they were caught off guard when she started exploring acting seriously, especially since she hadn't really talked about it before.

"They were a bit scared," Kaila shared in an interview with PeopleAsia, recalling her parents' initial hesitation. Spending decades in the industry gave them a front-row seat to the pressures and pitfalls of showbiz, and they knew exactly what she might be up against.

Their support didn't take long to follow, though. Once Kaila threw herself into workshops and auditions, it became clear she was committed to the path she had chosen. "They gained confidence in me," she said. "Then they became very supportive after that."

Despite having the guidance of two veteran actors at home, carrying a recognizable last name can bring an added layer of expectation. "It's harder by a bit only because there is a layer of pressure there, so there's that certain expectation I felt like I had to live up to," she admitted.

Over time, the actress reminded herself that her path in the industry doesn't need to mirror anyone else's—not even those closest to her. Keeping that perspective allowed her to focus on building her own career rather than constantly measuring it against the legacy of her parents. As she put it, "The journey of my parents are completely different from mine."

Despite years of growing up around cameras and sets, the idea of working alongside her parents still intimidates her.

"I am super scared [to work with them]," Kaila confessed. "They are my parents and I've never sort of merged my working environment and my family. So, the idea of working with them and acting alongside them, parang OA na sa pressure."

Part of that nervousness comes from knowing them too well. Years of being around them means she already knows the smallest details about their reactions and expressions. "Thinking about it, parang may lump in my throat kasi my parents, they are really good with what they do," she explained. "Yung mga facial reactions nila, what makes them impatient, or what makes them upset—memorized ko na sila."

Still, the possibility of collaborating with them in the future still excites her, though the projects she imagines differ depending on which parent she would share the screen with.

Action projects feel like the perfect playground for Kaila and her dad. "'Cause that's something we both enjoy na we have in common," she shared. With her mom, it's all about the drama. "My mom… she's such an amazing dramatic actress," Kaila added.

We're definitely looking forward to see her take on future projects, and maybe even share the screen with her parents someday.