Kiko Estrada has been in showbiz for more than a decade.
But his popularity is only starting to grow, thanks to being in the headlines over the past few months.
Just who is Kiko Estrada? PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) gathers fun facts you need to know about him.
He comes from famous families
Kiko's real name is Jason Joseph Francis Carlos Diaz Ejercito. He is the son of actor-turned-politician Gary Estrada and former actress Cheska Diaz.
The Ejercito-Estrada clan is quite huge and famous. On his paternal side, his grandfather is George Estregan and his uncles include ER Ejercito, Jinggoy Estrada, JV Ejercito, and Gherome Ejercito. Former president Joseph Estrada is his granduncle.
Meanwhile, on his maternal side, his grandfather is veteran actor and director Paquito Diaz. Joko Diaz is his uncle and Romy Diaz is his granduncle.
He doesn't like to be just famous; he prefers to stay in the industry for a long time
"I believe that longevity is the key to success. I don’t really like to be famous. I just to want stay here for long and be good.
"I wanna produce quality works. Gusto ko yung mga gagawin ko, panoorin at magiging proud sa akin yung family members ko or future family ko," Kiko said of his showbiz goals.
"Gusto ko lang na magkaroon pa ng mga film. I just wanted to be that successful.
"I just don’t want to be a blockbuster star. My plan A is to stay here forever, have a good career and good roles."
He was rumored to have a sex video scandal which he vehemently denied
“Actually, alam ko na ‘yan. Noong una tumawa ako.
"Hindi po ako yun, like I’ve said before.”
“Maraming nagsasabi [na kamukha ko]... marami po akong kamukha, normal lang yung mukha ko, e, hindi naman ako ganun kapogi,” he said of the video.
A definitive “Hindi po!” was his confident reply to being asked if he was really the guy in the video.
He transferred networks several times
Kiko started his career in GMA-7 in 2011. He first appeared in the afternoon drama Reel Love: Tween Hearts.
However, the following year, he transferred to ABS-CBN. He immediately got a supporting role in the network's daytime series Angelito: Ang Bagong Yugto.
He continued to have a string of Kapamilya projects. But in 2013, Kiko was replaced in the series Mirabella. He was supposed to have a lead role opposite Julia Barretto.
He went into hiatus for a few months, then returned to GMA. His first comeback project was the drama series Strawberry Lane, and he stayed in the Kapuso network until 2018.
In the same year, he transferred back to ABS-CBN, where his first comeback project was the drama series Pamilya Ko.
To date, Kiko is still with ABS-CBN.
He trained to be a Philippine military reservist
On March 9, 2019, Kiko started his Philippine Air Force (PAF) reservist training. He was joined by fellow Kapamilya actor and Pamilya Ko cast member JM de Guzman.
In JM's Instagram post, he shared photos of him and Kiko inside the PAF Officers Clubhouse in Villamor Airbase, Pasay City.
The photos showed how the two actors underwent training in proper military salute, rifle drill exercises, and lectures as part of their first day schedule.
His girlfriends in showbiz
Many of Kiko's past girlfriends were also in showbiz.
One of his very first known and public relationships with a celebrity was with Kim Rodriguez. They appeared in a couple of projects together, and were rumored to be dating from 2013 to 2016.
His next known girlfriend was Barbie Forteza. Their relationship in 2016 was short-lived.
Kiko also got in a relationship with actress Devon Seron (2018-2021) and Heaven Peralejo (2021). At the time, Heaven was rumored to be the third party who caused the breakup of Kiko and Devon. This was, however, refuted by Kiko.
He clarified that he and Devon broke up on Valentine's Day of 2021, while he and Heaven became a couple on May 30 of the same year. They broke up a few months later. Kiko and Heaven were both cast members of the Kapamilya teleserye Bagong Umaga.
In January 2022, Janelle Lewis, Miss World Philippines 2nd Princess, revealed that she and Kiko are now in a relationship.