Jake Ejercito seems to be a reluctant actor, appearing and disappearing in showbiz, until he decided to make a serious try when he did “Coming Home,” an official entry to the 2020 Metro Manila Film Festival.

“My first appearance on TV, I was in college. I was based abroad,” he recalled during an online press conference to launch him as a Kapamilya star, April 30. “So, talagang on and off. Hindi ko magawa lahat ng offers noong time na ‘yun.”

(It was really on and off. I could not do all the offers at that time.)

Ejercito admitted he was very reluctant as he was unsure of what he wanted to do with his life. Him being a young dad to Ellie (his daughter with actress Andi Eigenmann), and who had to prioritize his child, was also another factor to consider, he said. But doing “Coming Home” became a turning point for him, because this was when he realized that he ought to give showbiz another try, and seriously this time.

Ejercito is set to do his first TV series for ABS-CBN, “Marry Me, Marry You,” where he plays Cedric, the right hand man of Paulo Avelino’s character. Here, he will work with seasoned performers like Cherry Pie Picache, Vina Morales, Teresa Loyzaga, Lito Pimentel, Joko Diaz, Jett Pangan and Edu Manzano.

“When I got the offer, actually, until now, I am still overwhelmed to be part of the show and to be amongst these brilliant, talented actors. Ever since naman inaaral ko ang (I study the) script,” he said. “I asked my mom for advice, dad for advice. I just wanna get into lock-in taping.”

Ejercito is also no stranger to intrigues. He was subjected to bashing, especially when he was paired with Maine Mendoza for a time in “Eat Bulaga.” That was during the height of the AlDub love team of Mendoza and Alden Richards. But he’s really used to it, for even before entering showbiz, he already experienced bullying.

jake ejercito ig — Jake Ejercito. Image: Instagram/@unoemilio

“Growing up, I was born when my dad was a senator, and growing up, my dad was Vice President, and then president, and with what happened to his political career, parang bata pa lang kami ay parang sanay na kami ng siblings ko sa bashing, eh (it’s like ever since we were kids, we are already used to bashing),” Ejercito revealed.

“You know, it’s been part of our life. I mean, I got bullied in school,” he recalled. “Lahat po iyan ay pinagdaanan namin kaya wala na po ‘yun. Of course, I did experience a lot of bashing noong nangyari nga ‘yung episode na ‘yun pero I mean, ano ‘yung famous quote nila, practice the art of deadma?”

(We have gone through all of that so it doesn’t matter anymore. Of course, I did experience a lot of bashing in the past, but I mean, what’s their famous quote? Practice the art of not paying attention.) JB

Andi Eigenmann marks daughter Ellie’s 9th birthday: ‘I’m in awe of the person you’ve become’