Photography ARTU NEPOMUCENO
Videography LUCAS DAVID
Make Up JORENCE DE LIMOS
Hair RON ROS
Fashion Styling JOHN LOZANO
By: Sherry Tenorio
In her journey towards healing, the universe continued to surprise the gorgeous Jerika Ejercito. In May 2013, she received the biggest life-changing blessing of her life. She became a mother.
“When I became a mom, I realized that the world does not revolve around me. Life became more hectic yet simple. Motherhood paved the way for me to let go of the unnecessary, and just focus on what matters: my child. And, I started to forget about my issues. It became all about him – all about Isaiah,” Jerika glanced at her son, and quipped with a tender voice, that revealed further about her heart’s soft spot.
But being a mother – a single mother – was one tough decision that Jerika bravely faced. “No, it wasn’t a surprise that I got pregnant, but I didn’t plan on being a single mom. I honestly thought I was going to end up with his father. I was born in an unorthodox family – my family is very special – so I promised myself never would I ever have a broken family. So when I got pregnant, I really said ‘Hey you know what, it’s going to be the three of us but you know, things happen. Life happens,” she continued telling the story with firmness that simply showed how she gathered up courage in raising the child on her own.
Thankfully, her friends and family showered her with support during this period of her life – except for her father. Jerika recalled the incident while putting on the slippers of her son as he readied to go out for a short nursery class, “I’m a daddy’s girl, and it hurt me the most when my father did not speak to me when I had the unplanned pregnancy. It took another six months after Isaiah’s birth for my father to speak to me. It’s as if nothing happened – he fell in love with my boy, too. My son calls him ‘daddylo’.”
Now, as she juggles the many areas of her life, the hands-on mommy, public servant, and busy socialista learns the ropes of time management. So, what changed from being single to a mother? Jerika said, “I sleep more,” and laughed incessantly.
Seriously speaking, she noted the huge difference from the way she sets her priorities and allots her time. She shared, “I work for long hours so I make sure that my mornings are for spending time with Isaiah. I also have to make sure that I come home to tuck him to bed, and when it’s possible, I really have to make the mornings work for our bonding. I also ensure that my weekends are set only for Isaiah.”
Jerika also found that she takes care of herself more now that she is a mom. “Motherhood is a huge responsibility. So, I told myself that if I wanted to be a good mom, I have to be good to myself. I have to remain strong, and really grounded for Isaiah,” she added.
Meanwhile, Jerika pencils in travelling dates with her partner and her son in order to give herself ample of time to relax from her frenetic schedule. She showed their pictures on Instagram, and said, “Boracay was the last vacation I was with Isaiah. I had no help, so I was totally hands-on 24/7 to the needs of my kid. When we travelled, Isaiah’s luggage was heavier than mine. Because he’s asthmatic, I had to bring his nebulizer, all his meds and his clothes. I had to choose what is more important: my Louis Vuitton bags or his nebulizer? So, I advise the mothers travelling with kids to not even think of shopping or packing too many outfits. Just be comfortable, and make sure you bond with your child – that’s the whole point of travelling with kids.” With excitement, Jerika furthered, “I might be travelling with Isaiah to Spain this December, just before Christmas!”
Although her life is flowing smoothly and beautifully now, Jerika knows that people would always have a say about her and about her being mom. “People will always judge. Before, I used to absorb all the negative comments. Now, I make sure I am okay as a person. It’s my duty to be okay. It’s my duty as a mom,” she concluded our discussion about her life’s journey, and then explored to something light and wonderful – her kikay kit, beauty regimen and Hollywood crushes. Learn more about it on the third of our series next week.
