Veteran actress Janice De Belen has once again shown the heart of a devoted mother as she shared her sentiments on daughter Kaila Estrada’s love life amid persistent romance rumors involving actor Daniel Padilla.
It was late 2025 when fans began speculating that Kaila and Daniel were more than just co-stars after working together in ABS-CBN’s primetime action series Incognito. While the two stars have yet to confirm the true status of their relationship, their growing closeness and public appearances together have continued to capture the attention of fans.
Speaking during her guest appearance on Fast Talk with Boy Abunda on May 29, Janice spoke candidly about her perspective as a mother watching her daughter navigate matters of the heart.
“I am just happy that Kaila is happy. ‘Yun lang. Para sa isang parent, ang gusto mo lang maging masaya sila,” she expressed.
The actress underscored that happiness remains her foremost concern as a parent, explaining that she sees little reason to interfere when she witnesses her child genuinely content.
“When you see that your child is happy, anong karapatan mong mangialam at gumitna doon sa happiness? Basta happy ka, ‘yun lang ang gusto ko,” Janice continued.
The celebrity mom shared that this mindset extends not only to Kaila but to all her children. Apart from Kaila, Janice is also mother to Luigi Muhlach with former partner Aga Muhlach, and Inah, Moira, and Yuan with former husband John Estrada.
For the seasoned actress, being a parent naturally comes with fears and reservations, especially when it concerns relationships.
“I always tell my children kasi [na] ‘Since gusto niyo ‘yung relationship na ‘yan, there will always be misgivings coming from me’ kasi ang gusto mo lang naman as a parent ay hindi sila masaktan. ‘Yun lang ‘yun. Huwag masaktan, huwag mahirapan.”
Janice admitted that her protective instincts are shaped by both love and experience. Asked whether she hopes her children could avoid the pain she herself experienced in love, the actress answered without hesitation.
“Of course, of course. Pero again, I will not impose [it]. And because, naging rebelde rin ako in a way and I’ve always asked my parents to trust me. So nagri-ring rin ‘yun sa ulo ko every time na naiinis ako or parang [napapaisip kung] ‘tama ba ‘to?’ Nagri-ring ‘yun. Lagi kong naiisip ‘yun, ‘Huy, Janice, di ba sinasabi mo rin ‘yan dati na pagkatiwalaan ka.’”
She added that these reflections remind her to offer trust rather than control, a lesson she carries from her own younger years.
“So, I have to trust my children na kaya nila, kaya nilang panindigan, and whatever happens they’ll come out of it okay,” she said.
Janice has long maintained this parenting approach. Back in April, during an interview with Julius Babao, she said that she prefers not to interfere in her children’s relationships and instead allows them to make their own decisions.
“I will have to trust them, love them, get along with them. Kasi malay ko ba, baka mamaya sila na nga talaga 'yung mag-aalaga sa anak ko,” she said.
When asked what advice she would give Kaila about love, Janice’s answer was brief but filled with maternal concern.
“She’s 30 years old. Basta guard your heart.”
Though neither Daniel nor Kaila has confirmed their relationship, they have been spotted together on several occasions.
READ: Kaila Estrada present at Daniel Padilla's birthday celebration
As the actor celebrated his 31st birthday surrounded by family and close friends in late April, fans quickly noticed Kaila’s presence at the gathering, where she was seen warmly interacting with Daniel’s mother, Karla Estrada, and his sisters, Magui and Lella Ford.
The speculation intensified after Kaila shared a photo of herself hugging Daniel during the celebration, accompanied by Justin Bieber’s “Everything Hallelujah” on her Instagram story.
Daniel also recently attended Kaila’s 30th birthday celebration, where he performed Radiohead’s “Creep” on stage.
Adding further fuel to fan speculation was a social media exchange involving Kaila’s half-brother Luigi, who casually referred to Daniel as his “bayaw” or brother-in-law.