It’s not unusual for showbiz scions to follow in their parents’ footsteps. However, some defy expectation by forging their own path in a different field. Among them is Kaila Estrada, youngest daughter of actors John Estrada and Janice de Belen.
The young looker has ventured into the world of fashion as model and so far, so good. After signing up with Mercator Models a few years back, Kaila has since been turning a lot of heads doing excellent work strutting down fashion runways and posing for spreads in various magazines.
Of late, the statuesque 20-year-old Arts Management student at De La Salle College of Saint Benilde has landed her biggest project, being named among this year’s SM Youth Ambassadors. She is quite happy about it.
“I’m grateful with the opportunity,” she said in a recent interview. “I’m really happy. I’m glad the company welcomed me like family.”
She admitted to being overwhelmed with the magnitude of responsibility given the title, relating how they are going to fly frequently to different parts of the country to promote the brand.
“Like this month, we will be at the Kadayawan Festival in Davao. In October, we will be going to Bacolod naman for the Masskara Festival. We’re so busy with activity after activity,” she related.
No, they don’t just preen glamorously for the crowd at these sorties.
“We mingle, we connect with the people on a personal level,” Kaila said. “We shake hands with them, we talk to them…we also join SM’s store on wheels, offering people suggestions on fashion.”
It is hard work indeed but Kaila is not complaining.
“I like it that the job allows me to travel and meet different kinds of people,” she said. “I also like it that it allows me to gain knowledge about different cultures.”
Despite maintaining a busy schedule, Kaila makes sure her studies don’t suffer.
“Of course. I love what I’m doing with SM but my priority is my studies. I want to graduate on time,” she said.
Will she join showbiz after that?
“I’m not closing any doors but right now, it’s not in the cards for me.”
Asked why, Kaila maintained she simply doesn’t have what it takes to make it in showbiz.
“I don’t act, I don’t dance, I don’t sing,” she enumerated. “In any case, I would need to learn how to overcome stage-fright as well.”
Kaila went on, “Fashion is my main thing. It drives me. I love it. I really do believe I could achieve a lot in this field.”