Five years since he last appeared on screen, Jolo Estrada, the second among Jinggoy and Precy Estrada’s four children, is dipping his toes into show business once more.
Ang Tatay Kong Sexy, shot in 2013 and was commercially exhibited in 2016, top-billed by his actor and former politician dad, was his last showbiz assignment before he had steered his wheels in a different direction.
For the next five years since leaving the limelight, Jolo, now 27 years old, would focus on his studies and putting up his own business—he’s into food/restaurant and fitness business. But no matter how focused he was in his other endeavors, showbiz kept knocking on his doors.
At the height of the pandemic in May last year, talent manager Leo V. Dominguez got in touch with him and tried to convince him to give showbiz another try.
“When I saw Jolo, I told myself, ‘He’s a leading man material. He has a lot of potentials.’ So, I tried to contact him,” the talent manager who manages the careers of Janine Gutierrez, Ogie Alcasid, Lovi Poe, and Paolo Avelino told Manila Standard Entertainment in an intimate lunch over the weekend.
“He was honest, he said he’s busy with his business, he’s not ready yet. He initially declined my offer, but I was persistent until he said yes,” the talent manager added.
At the contract signing of Jolo Estrada with Leo Dominguez’s LVD Management, the aspiring actor-singer, and fitness enthusiast was accompanied by his mother and younger brother Julian. The intimate event was intended to be a quick one but Jolo showed so much enthusiasm answering the questions of some select members of the entertainment press.
“He’s naturally shy. He was really nervous coming here,” his mom Precy revealed.
Talking about his showbiz re-entry, Jolo explained that he really wanted to carve a different path and be successful at it before joining the entertainment industry again. And now, equipped with a better experience and deeper passion to share his talent with the public, Jolo aims to explore numerous genres that would test his skills as an actor.
“I wanted to do challenging roles, dramatic roles preferably. But I would be willing to accept whatever project that will land on my lap,” Jolo told Manila Standard Entertainment adding that he doesn’t mind even going the popular Boys Love route or kissing another guy on the screen.
“A true actor is willing to do whatever it is that his character requires and I think I will accept any roles that will challenge me as an actor. I trust my manager that he would help me achieve my goal as a returning talent,” he added.
For his future projects, Jolo lists Ivana Alawi and Angelica Panganiban as the actresses that he wanted to work with.
“Ivana Alawi is the fantasy of so many men right now. And she’s very sexy. I have worked hard to achieve my current physique so I guess bagay naman kami. With Angelica, she’s a very good actress, napakahusay. That’s the reason why I wanted to work with her,” he ended.