Throwback Photo of Jake Ejercito Goes Viral Because of Duterte Standee
JAKE EJERCITO – The actor gained attention on social media after sharing a series of throwback photos from 2016 as part of the trending theme “2026 is the new 2016.”
Among the photos were two images showing Jake posing beside a cardboard standee of former President Rodrigo Duterte, who was running for president at the time. The post quickly spread online, with many netizens joking that Jake seemed to have “predicted” current events and playfully comparing him to well-known fortune tellers. Some users also joked that the cardboard standee had unexpectedly remained relevant over the years, while others humorously referred to Jake as a “time traveler” because of the coincidence.
Jake later clarified that he did not support Duterte during the 2016 election. He explained that he neither campaigned for him nor voted for him. To avoid any misunderstanding, Jake shared information showing that he voted for former Senator Grace Poe instead. He emphasized that the photo was simply part of a lighthearted online trend and was not intended as a political statement.
The renewed interest in the old photo comes amid recent developments involving Duterte. Nearly ten years after announcing his presidential bid, Duterte is now being held in The Hague, Netherlands, facing charges related to crimes against humanity filed by the International Criminal Court. Since his detention, supporters have often been seen carrying his cardboard standee during public gatherings and events. The standee has also appeared in informal meetings, including a breakfast gathering attended by Senator Robin Padilla, which further increased its visibility.
Meanwhile, Jake Ejercito is an actor and model. He is the son of former Philippine President Joseph “Erap” Estrada and actress Laarni Enriquez. He began his showbiz career in 2016 through Eat Bulaga! and later appeared in various television shows and films. He is also known as the father of Ellie, his daughter with actress Andi Eigenmann.