Actor Kiko Estrada may be basking in the spotlight with the upcoming premiere of Carlo J. Caparas’ ‘Totoy Bato’ on TV5, but the rising star didn’t hold back from revealing his disappointment over not getting to work with his father, veteran actor Gary Estrada, in the action-packed series.
During the media conference for the show held on April 28, Kiko repeatedly referenced the influence of his maternal grandparents, particularly his grandfather, the late action star Paquito Diaz, and grandmother Josefa Gutierrez-Diaz, as inspirations in his career. While he also mentioned his mother, Cheska Diaz, Gary’s name was notably absent from his acknowledgments.
After the press event, Kiko was asked directly about his father, to which he admitted that he was initially excited to act alongside him in Totoy Bato. “Actually, funny fact, dapat kasama si Papa dito. Sayang,” he revealed. “I guess, God said that this is not destiny yet. Kasi feeling ko talaga, tinadhana akong gampanan itong role na ito.”
Kiko added that he was under the impression that Gary had agreed to be part of the project. “Akala ko, kasama siya dito. Yung huling sinabi sa akin, tinanggap niya. Tapos hindi na pala.”
Asked if it was a matter of money, Kiko replied, “I doubt dahil I heard they gave him the price.”
He continued, “Pero sana, sana, kasama siya dito. Pero I guess he chose a different option.”
Despite the missed opportunity, Kiko said he holds no ill will toward his father. “I love my dad. I love him, I wish him the best… I can’t wait for Papa to watch this. Tell him to watch.”
The actor also candidly shared that he grew up closer to his mother’s side of the family, noting, “Yeah, but when is that? Parang… parang sinabi mo na 31 years ng buhay mo, lumaki sa nanay mo. Tapos every two months that you stayed there, how do you compare that kung… I mean, di ba?”
Kiko explained that he once fought to use the screen name “Kiko Diaz-Estrada” to honor both sides of his heritage. “I fought for Kiko Diaz-Estrada, to be honest… Actually, gusto ko, yung pangalan ko, Kiko lang. None of the last names… Actually they told me to take out the Diaz because it’s too much. Kasi parang you’re bragging… Pero sa akin, di ba, heritage yon?”
While Gary may not appear in ‘Totoy Bato’, Kiko still shares the screen with family—his uncle Joko Diaz plays his on-screen father. He also stars alongside Eula Valdes, Diego Loyzaga, Bea Binene, Cindy Miranda, Art Acuña, and Mark Anthony Fernandez, among others.
‘Totoy Bato’, originally portrayed by Fernando Poe Jr. in the 1977 film, is set to premiere on May 5, airing weekdays at 7:15 p.m. on TV5. The new series replaces ‘Lumuhod Ka Sa Lupa’, another Carlo J. Caparas adaptation that also starred Kiko Estrada.
