Kaila Estrada on grief, growth, grit
“There is beauty in turning pain into power,” actress Kaila Estrada shared when Lifestyle asked her about Max Alvero, her character in the action-drama TV series “Incognito” and the latter’s struggle with grief and healing.
Estrada plays a hacker and cyber-ops specialist discharged from the military for insubordination and desertion during an operation. That same mission took the life of her fiancé, a fellow soldier, leaving Max in deep, unresolved grief.
“Max isn’t your typical female lead. She’s complex and still very much in mourning,” Estrada explained. When asked how she was able to find a personal connection with her character, she said, “We’ve all experienced grief in our lives. Maybe I didn’t experience it exactly like Max did, but I definitely know what loss feels like. That made Max’s struggles feel painfully real to me.”
Without giving too much away, Estrada said that Max’s healing journey will unfold gradually throughout the show. “Right now, you’ll still see her grieving. But as the story progresses, you’ll see how she copes. I really hope viewers who see themselves in Max also see her heal and get inspired by her journey,” she told reporters during a recent media gathering.
Produced by ABS-CBN under Star Creatives, “Incognito” also stars Maris Racal, Daniel Padilla, Richard Gutierrez, Ian Veneracion, Anthony Jennings, and Baron Geisler.
Grief, Estrada believes, is universal. “Whether it’s the loss of a loved one or heartbreak in general, we all experience grief in life. But I feel there is beauty in turning pain into power,” she said. “That’s possible, and it shows resilience. It’s a great way to grow, heal, and use it for something good.”
Natural beauty
Her perspective on healing isn’t just something she applies to her character; it’s personal. Growing up, she struggled with insecurities about her skin and complexion. “I had so many pimples during puberty. My sisters always had amazing skin, so I felt really insecure. Also, compared to them, I’m morena,” she shared. “When I see a morena woman, I find her beautiful. But when I looked at myself back then, I didn’t feel the same way.”
She has since learned to embrace her natural beauty. “I’m so happy that beauty standards have evolved and that more Filipino women are proud to be morena. I’m one of them. I feel that this change has shaped the mentality of young girls now.”
Estrada, the daughter of actors Janice de Belen and John Estrada, has three full siblings—Inah, Moira, and Yuan—as well as two half-siblings, Luigi Muhlach and Samantha Anechka Estrada.
As someone who grew up in an industry that often dictates beauty standards, Estrada is proud of how far things have come.
“The entertainment industry, print ads, and brands play a huge part in shaping how people view beauty. We need to be mindful of the impact we have,” she said. “I know what it’s like to see someone on screen and relate to them—that’s what helped me embrace my own beauty. I hope to do that for young girls, too.”
Her message to women, especially this past Women’s Month, is clear: “I recently heard this, as well, and it really stuck with me: ‘Don’t shy away from claiming your seat at the table. And if you don’t feel like you have a seat, bring your own chair.’”
She added: “Also, getting up and showing up—this is really the best thing you can do for yourself every day, no matter what that looks like.”
And if she could send one message to her mom? “Thank you for being the best mom I could ever ask for. For being an example of a strong woman in my eyes. I owe my mom a lot for the person I am today.”
Quality time
Estrada turned 29 on March 16 and is hopeful for more projects this year. But more than anything, she wishes for good health and quality time with loved ones. “Time is something you don’t get back, and sometimes, when we’re busy, we neglect that. That’s something I really want to focus on,” she shared.
As for “Incognito,” Estrada is grateful for the love the show and her character have received. “We all really worked hard for this. We put a lot of heart into it, and as a group, we help each other make our characters and the action scenes better every week. I’m super grateful to those who love Max and appreciate her journey,” she said.
The media gathering was to launch Estrada as the ambassador of two products from the local skincare product Barefaced—the Sunkissed Tinted Light Sunscreen and the Melt Away Facial Cleanser. Also present were founders Arriane Reyes-Recella and Eleanor Casao-Roma.
“Incognito” began airing in January. It remains one of the most watched local TV show on Netflix in the Philippines.
