Veteran actress Janice de Belen has addressed the rumors linking her daughter Kaila Estrada to actor Daniel Padilla, offering a measured response grounded in parental guidance and trust.
In a recent interview circulating on TikTok, de Belen was asked to react to speculation that Estrada and Padilla are romantically involved. She began by acknowledging a parent’s natural instinct to protect.
“Of course, the first instinct of any parent is to protect and to overprotect in this case,” de Belen said.
She added that young adults, like everyone else, need room to grow and experience life, even as they continue to receive guidance from their parents.
“We should also know that like us, marami silang gustong gawin, marami silang gustong ma-experience. Of course, they need guidance, pero we should allow them to experience,” she said.
De Belen stressed that trust becomes increasingly important once children reach adulthood.
“But to a certain extent, because at some point, when all our kids are adult already, dapat pagkatiwalaan mo rin sila na kaya nilang desisyunan ang buhay nila and at the same time, pagkatiwalaan mo rin ang sarili mo na pinapalaki mo sila nang tama,” she explained.
When asked about the viral photos and videos showing Estrada and Padilla together, de Belen offered a neutral response, leaving interpretation to the public.
“Kung ano ang nakikita nila, ‘yun na ‘yun. However or whatever you feel or kung ano ang naiisip mo sa picture, kaya mo na ‘yan,” she said.
Her remarks prompted mixed reactions online, with some netizens interpreting them as a subtle confirmation of a relationship, while others viewed them as a mother’s careful and respectful stance.
The rumors gained traction after Estrada and Padilla were spotted attending a concert together, with videos circulating on social media showing the two standing close and appearing to share private moments.
Neither Estrada nor Padilla has directly confirmed the status of their relationship. However, Padilla previously appealed for privacy in an interview, asking the public to refrain from speculation.
“Huwag n’yo na muna kaming kulitin, just let it be. Hayaan na lang nating mangyari ang mga bagay,” he said.
For now, the pair remain tight-lipped, while public interest continues to grow amid ongoing sightings and online discussions.
