Karla
“ANG sarap ng chicken, winner!” a woman screeches from the other lunch table—breaking the peal of susurrations you usually hear in an al fresco beach restaurant—and then she laughs, even harder than the seasoned comic counterparts she dines with on this humid, sunny Wednesday in August.
Hours before the noon break, the cast of characters was under the heat of the sun at the sand bar of Plantation Bay Resort and Spa in Mactan and rose early to hit the 6 a.m. call time, rehearsing lines over and over for the taping of “Funny Ka, Pare Ko” aired on ABS-CBN TV Plus every Sunday at 5 p.m.
But off-camera, even after a long tiring morning, Karla Estrada is like a burst of sunshine. “The food was good. Have you tried the chicken?” she joins us shortly after she smacked on a light red lipstick and tells everyone in our table about the simple buttered chicken she’s gushing about.
“You know how good food delights me. I’m very easy to please,” the 39-year-old main star of the new omedy show, opposite Jason Gainza and Bayani Agbayani, her on-screen husband, who confirms how she lights up everyone on the set with laughter, too. “Kahit sa family ko, I’m the life of the party, eh lalo na sa set. They’d know that I’m here
because I’m very loud” she beams. “Ako yu’ng pinaka hyper, yung high with energy.”
The average family, no way: She is the mother of Jose Carlito, Margaret, Carmella—who all have strong potential to jump into the entertainment pool—and “Barcelona” leading man, Daniel Padilla. Many have speculated that she was merely riding on Daniel’s coattails in the beginning. As the years go by, however, she has stridden away from anyone’s shadow and into the light of her own idiosyncrasy, slowly and steadily as if she had a scientific school of thought for her comeback.
Serendipitous, in fact. Who would have thought that this once “That’s Entertainment” babe would resurge as the country’s “Queen Mother”—a new album birthed under this title—two decades later? That her reign has impinged on the enduring mystery of the universe—age (no careers in the spotlight beyond 30), body issue (an industry obsessed with stick-thin actresses), and timing (the right place, the right project). From hosting the morning talk show “Magandang Buhay” to being a juror on “It’s Showtime’s Tawag Ng Tanghalan” to an upcoming movie, Karla is now the face to watch in comedy.
And then some—this is a moment of invigoration.
How is it now to be your own person, no longer the mother of Daniel Padilla?
Mas cute pa rin sa akin ang “mother of Daniel Padilla.” But I think I’m more known as Queen Mother, at least in Manila. Okey lang naman, di masyadong big deal sa akin yun. Every time na aalis ako, nakakapunta pa naman ako kung saan ko gustong pumupunta dati sa Manila. Napansin ko nalang yung pagbabago nung may nagpapa-picture na. Di na naman ako tipong artista na pagkakaguguluhan. Hindi naman sa di ko gusto, pero mas gusto ko yan for Daniel na lang. I really love freedom.
In “Funny Ka, Pare Ko,” the format is in the middle of a sitcom and stand-up comedy, which requires you to improvise a great portion of the script. Isn’t it difficult to collaborate with stand-up comedians in this project?
Hindi naman. It’s still a form of entertainment. I find this exciting because I get to be very creative with
my material. Although we have different styles, the comedy I do is a combination of acting. I still think stand-up comedy is very hard to do, and I do not think I’d be doing that anytime soon. I just enjoy the people I am working with now.
What is your acting method?
Natural acting is better. Dapat din malaman ng mga artista’ng nag uumpisa na natural acting is the best gift you can give to the viewers. Like in the case of Daniel, I never raised Daniel in acting workshops kasi nawawala yung pagka natural eh, parang aral na aral. For example, you’re studying voice, palagi kang to the note when you sing. I always appreciate the rawness of talent. I never had any formal training, but because I am survivor, I got away with it. And even if I can afford to send Daniel to a formal training, I want him to cultivate the rawness of his talent. Medyo, matagumpay naman. I’d still recommend workshops, though, especially if it is done before a project. Workshops should make the artists familiar with each other’s takes on the role. Meron kasing ibang artistang ginagawang school ang workshops.
What do you consider offensive jokes on the set?
Personal attacks. Pero sa sitwasyon naman namin, alam naman naming kung saan kami lulugar, kung ano ang personal at kung ano ang hindi. Like ako, madalas akong masabihan dun sa weight ko, but the thing is, hindi kasi ito problema for me. So kung kaya mo kasing mang-alaska, dapat marunong ka din na
tumanggap ng pang-aasar, or else, ‘wag ka na lang mang-alaska. Ganun lang naman yun, eh.
Is slapstick comedy bad?
No. But in comedy, any form of comic material… it’s always about timing lang. It should be relevant to the material. That’s it.
How do funny people like you handle sentimental moments in life?
We handle it like everyone else. Pareho lang kasi tao lang din naman kami. If it’s about my children, I’d be hysterical walling, walling, oo. Kasi sa pamilya ko, ako yu’ng pinaka-hyper, yung high with energy, so pag di ko nilakasan ang boses ko, di nila ako mapapansin, walang kumikilos. Mas hysterical ang acting ko in real life.
But is it easier to cope with these moments if you’re a comedian?
Ako oo, mas madali. Di naman ako tumatawa pag may namatay, pero yung acceptance, okey—buhay na buhay sa buhay ko yan. At yu’ng moving on, bongga’ng bongga sa akin yun, oo. I am not the type of person who dwells so much on pain. Limang beses ka nang naglasing, yun pa rin ang topic —parang ang pangit. Ayaw ko na pabigat sa friendship.
What should we expect from you in the coming months?
I’d still be hosting “Magandang Buhay” in two years. And yes, I have an upcoming movie with Jolina (Magdangal) and Melai (Cantiveros), mga momsies ko, for next year. I still do not know what the story is about.
Tell us about your album this September.
“Queen Mother” is the title of the album, which has eight songs. It’s a combination of cover and original songs under Star Records. There’s one original Christmas song kasi pangarap ko yun eh, na mapakinggan ka sa pinaka-importanteng holiday ng taon.
Not all parents of famous teen stars could emerge to be successful in entertainment. What triggered you to establish your name now and return to show business?
Sa 25 years ko dito sa industriya, hindi naman kasi ako masyadong nakilala kasi nasa “Dramarama Sa Hapon” lang ako ng GMA noon, nag “That’s Entertainment” din ako, naka gawa din ako ng movies. I’m not saying because of the station, although it’s a big factor. Pero katulad ng sinabi ko, ako yu’ng pumigil sa kasikatan ko. Hindi yun joke. Kasi pabulusok na kami—ako, si Sunshine Cruz, Jackie Forster and Shirley Fuentes—kami ang Regal Babies Batch 1992. Ako ‘yung nakita nilang aakyat, kaya lang nabuntis ako kay Daniel in 1993 at 20. I was with Rommel (Padilla). Pinabayaan ko yung career ko. Before kasi, di tanggap ang nabubuntis ka ng maaga. Wala’ng pagsisi kasi I can say, tama yung desisyon ko. Nagkakataon lang that all just came into full view now.
What do you think is the lingering problem in the entertainment industry?
Trust issues. Nagkakaroon talaga kami ng trust problems. It’s normal to us, artists. Kasi sa dami ng lumalapit sa amin, minsan, di naman lahat ng nakangiti sa ami, gusto kami. Lalo na ngayon sa sitwasyon nila (Daniel and Kathryn Bernardo), ang daming fandom na nag-aaway. The fans are competing. Pero sa mga artista, wala yan. Nag-kukwentuhan, yan pag nagkikita-kita, magkakaibigan yan —ang AlDub, JaDine, KathNiel. But Daniel is managing it well now, compared to before when he was still adjusting to his fame.