Kaila Estrada takes on her first MMK lead role giving life to the story of former PBB Kumunity Season 10 housemate Karen Bordador, who only had one request about her portrayal.

Kaila came across the news about Karen before. But there’s a much larger, more important and inspiring part of Karen’s life story that is not completely known about. In Kaila’s words, “Grabe ‘yung pinagdaanan niya,” thus her desire to give it justice.

“Makikita n’yo kung paano siya lumaban para sa katotohanan at hindi siya sumuko talaga,” she said in her interview on Kapamilya Chat. The MMK special will be aired in two parts, starting March 12, with the first chapter painting Karen’s life as radio DJ until she moved to Pasig City Jail. The next episode will tackle her situation as a detainee until the breakthrough happened.

Kaila mentioned the only thing Karen asked from her is to show her real bubbly and positive personality, “Kasi makikita n’yo sa kwento how it played a big part in how she handled her situation.” That, she added to her personal approach in acting to build the whole interpretation, “It was more of me Kaila thinking ano kaya ‘yung gagawin ko sa situation na ‘to. But, at the same time, add that bubbliness and positivity that Karen has. I wanted that to shine through more. So parang combination of Karen and myself as well.”

It was challenging to act out a situation she hasn’t experienced in real life, hence it was also a test of her critical thinking as an actor, “It was really just trying to step into Karen’s shoes and to see from her perspective kung ano ‘yung nangyayari sa kanya.”

The story itself has so much weight, plus Kaila was given seasoned actress Shamaine Buencamino as co-star on her first MMK guesting. All these combined to create the jitters, which she’s overcome, thanks to everyone’s care and generosity on the set. She’s thankful that her castmates including Lou Yanong and Karen herself, who has a cameo appearance in the episode, were very helpful and fun, “It was such a light set even if the material is so heavy”

Kaila looks at Karen as a source of inspiration. And she believes viewers will also find that hope to rise above their current struggles after watching the episode. “There’s a light at the end of the tunnel. She was able to find a purpose. Given her situation, gumawa pa rin siya ng purpose para sa sarili niya inside,” she mused.

She also learned that everyone goes through something, so we all must “be compassionate and be empathetic towards other people.”

She also hopes the story reminds viewers to never take time for granted, “Time is so precious. Time is something we can never get back. Lahat naman tayo, sa buhay natin hindi natin alam kung ano yung mga mangyayari, so it’s really important for us to be present, be mindful. Spend time with the people you love.”

She continued, “Life is so unpredictable. You don’t know what’s going to happen, so make the most out of life and enjoy it with the people that you love.”

Take inspiration from Karen Bordador’s life story portrayed by Kaila in MMK this March 12 and March 19 at 8pm on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, and A2Z.