Priscilla Meirelles, a beauty queen-turned-celebrity, has become more candid about the challenges she faces as a single mother.
When PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) first asked her about it in 2025, she politely declined to comment.
A mother to 14-year-old Anechka, Priscilla revealed in a podcast that she and actor John Estrada parted ways two years ago and have been legally separated for about a year.
The former couple has agreed to co-parent and share responsibilities in raising their daughter, with John covering her educational expenses and Priscilla handling the day-to-day costs, as Anechka lives with her.
When PEP revisited the topic early this May, Priscilla elaborated on the arrangement and spoke more openly about the challenges of single motherhood.
Read: What motherhood means to Priscilla Meirelles
PRISCILLA MEIRELLES on being a single mom
In PEP's exclusive interview, she shared a realization: that vulnerability can be a kind of superpower, as it allows a person to discover her own strength amid difficult circumstances.
“Today, I was just questioned by someone—it was a live [interview,]” she said, referring to another interview prior to PEP’s.
“One of the things that I discussed in my interview is my financial situation. I was questioned why I said the things that I said, and I told the person, 'Because it was the truth.' Being a single mom is very challenging financially.”
For context, Priscilla admitted in that earlier interview that she has had to make financial adjustments as a single mother living in a townhouse with three dogs.
She also shared that whenever she and Anechka plan to travel, she has to carefully factor it into her budget.
She clarified during her interview with PEP that she is neither complaining nor ashamed of her financial situation, but simply stating the facts.
“I shouldn’t be ashamed of that. I think there are a lot of women out there that are in the same situation that I am—trying their best to pay their dues at the end of the day, with dignity.
“And that’s what I believe in, and what I advocate for.”
She took pride is saying that whatever she buys for herself and what she provides for her daughter comes from her hard work.
“Everything that I eat, everything that I wear, everything that I have, it was bought with my tears, hard work, and sweat. It was bought and acquired in a very dignifying way,” Priscilla explained.
“It is hard. It is not easy money. It does not just grow in trees…
“I want people out there, women out there, just like me, understand that, yes, it’s part of the journey… that it will be difficult…
“But if you work hard and believe in yourself, you’re gonna [pay your dues] in the end of the month…
“As long as you work hard and believe, and you’re honest about what you do, and make yourself, your family, and your kids proud, then there is no way of going wrong.
“Eventually, you’re gonna get there in the final line, and gonna have a beautiful life, and you’re…gonna enjoy everything that you deserve to enjoy.
“The road is not easy, it’s full of cracks and bumps and that’s the way it’s supposed to be.”
PRISCILLA MEIRELLES SETS SIGHTS ON HER GOALS
Does she compare herself to others?
Priscilla said there’s nothing wrong with admiring the good things others have, but she emphasized the importance of not forgetting to count one’s own blessings.
“It’s okay to admire other people’s lives, but you should never ever forget to look at your own things, your own life... Appreciate the things that you have.
“If you want to be in a better situation, to have nicer things, then work hard for it.”
Her next words brim with optimism.
“Wake up five in the morning, go, go go! Grind! That’s how it works.
“I wake up five, six [in the morning], sometimes I don’t sleep...I’m not saying that’s a good thing.
"But, I need to have a goal.
"Then you need to understand that you have to work for your goal. It won’t fall from the sky.
"And just believe and you’ll eventually get there.”
IS SHE OPEN TO FALLING IN LOVE AGAIN?
Her priority now, she said, is her career, so love has to take a backseat.
“On a personal level, I think I’m exactly where I want to be.
“In terms of career, there’s still a lot I want to [achieve]. I’m ambitious, I’m really working hard.
“I really want to be able to afford all the things that I want to enjoy.
“I really want to be able to go inside my own car.
“I don’t want somebody to buy me a Ferrari, I want to buy the freaking Ferrari, so I’m working hard for it.
“There's still a lot of things that I’m planning and, slowly, things are unfolding, and I’m grateful. But I know I can do a lot more.”
These days, Priscilla is more visible in the entertainment scene.
She is part of The Fake Socialite, a micro-drama series currently streaming on the Viva Movie Box platform.
She also hosts the podcast Amigas and remains active across her social-media platforms.