Jake Ejercito pays tribute to Juan Ponce Enrile: “He has found his own place in our history books”

• Jake Ejercito paid tribute to Juan Ponce Enrile on social media, sharing a story that highlighted the former senator’s sharp memory and long career
• He posted a photo of them together from 2011 and described a moment when Enrile corrected a history book about the Japanese invasion
• The actor reflected on how the encounter showed Enrile’s firsthand experience with history
• He also reflected on the wide-reaching influence of Enrile’s long tenure in public service

Jake Ejercito took to Facebook to honor the late Juan Ponce Enrile, sharing a personal story that highlighted the former statesman’s sharp memory and storied past.

In Ejercito’s tribute, he posted an old photo of himself with Enrile, both smiling and pointing at the camera. Alongside the image, he recounted an encounter they shared more than a decade ago.

“It was 2011. He was already around 90 years old then,” he wrote as he introduced the story.

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Ejercito described sitting beside Enrile while casually flipping through his younger brother’s grade school history book. He explained that the former senator took notice of the material, particularly because the page Ejercito was reading happened to be about the Japanese invasion of the Philippines. According to the actor, Enrile asked to look at the book, read a portion of the chapter, and reacted with unexpected certainty.

“After reading a few lines, he quipped, ‘The date here is wrong.’ I looked at him, confused about how someone could dispute a history book. He then handed it back to me and said, ‘I know better— because I was there.’”

Ejercito reflected on the weight of that moment as well as the broader legacy of the late politician, whose decades-long career included roles as defense minister, senator, Senate president, and key figure in pivotal chapters of Philippine political history. “A lot has been said and will be said about the man. But one thing’s for sure: he has found his own place in our history books, one that history itself will continue to examine,” he wrote.

He ended his post with a brief farewell: “Paalam, Manong JPE.”

Enrile, one of the Philippines’ longest-serving and most controversial political figures, died on November 13 at the age of 101. His daughter, Katrina, confirmed his passing and shared that he had been brought to the ICU due to pneumonia prior to his death.

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His death has prompted reflections from various sectors, including those who worked with him, those who opposed him, and those who, like Ejercito, experienced brief but memorable encounters with the centenarian statesman.

Jake Ejercito is a Filipino actor, model, and social media personality. He is the son of Joseph Estrada and Laarni Enriquez. Jake's entry into the entertainment industry began in 2016 with guest appearances on Eat Bulaga's 'Kalyeserye.' He has since appeared in various television series, including Marry Me, Marry You, The Broken Marriage Vow, and A Family Affair. In his personal life, Jake has a daughter named Ellie, born in November 2011, with actress Andi Eigenmann. Although the couple separated in 2014, they continue to co-parent their daughter amicably.

Earlier, a netizen left a comment on one of Jake's post, thinking he was running for public office. This, eventually caught the attention of the actor who clarified a few things online. Needless to say, Jake's fans could not get enough of the actor's witty response, one that he has been frequently doing on social media.

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Meanwhile, Jake Ejercito shared a quote card featuring the words of Kian Delos Santos. The quote reads, "Tama na po! May test pa ako bukas..." Along with the post, Jake also wrote a meaningful caption. His post has since gone viral on social media and stirred buzz.

Source: KAMI.com.gh