Alexa Ilacad during the press conference for the film “Mujigae.” Image: Instagram/@starmagicphils

For Alexa Ilacad, many adults decide not to have children because they want to focus on their own plans, saying it’s a thought she fully understands and resonates with at this stage of her life.

Ilacad is the lead star of the upcoming film “Mujigae,” which tells the story of a five-year-old half-Korean, half-Filipino child Mujigae (Ryrie Sophia) finding herself in the care of her Aunt Sunny (Ilacad). They eventually develop a strong mother-and-daughter relationship, which will be put to the test upon the return of the child’s biological father.

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While the film talks about the complicated relationship between a child and her mother figure, the actress-singer told reporters that adults — particularly women — are free to live their lives as they wish.

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“I get it! I totally get it! And that’s okay! I think now, we’re more open to living our lives the way we want to live without fear of judgment from other people,” she told INQUIRER.net on the sidelines of the film’s media con when asked about adults not wanting to have children.

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“I don’t think that makes you less of a woman if you choose to not have a family. If you choose to live your life differently, that’s totally fine. If you choose to take care of a kid or you want to be a mother figure, it’s up to you. As long as you choose to love every day,” she further added.

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Ilacad reiterated that adults have the right to take charge of their own journeys, with or without children. “You don’t have to pressure yourself to do a certain thing because it’s what society wants from you. It’s you who will suffer in the end.”

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“I see a lot of people my age — although I think 24 is young — who decided to not have a family because, for example, they want to travel and pursue different interests. It would be hard for them to do so if they have a family,” she continued. “And I understand. To each is their own. If I say go, live your life the way you want.”

Also joining Ilacad and Sophia in the Randolph Longjas-helmed film are Kim Ji-soo and Richard Quan. The film will be released in theaters on October 9.

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The actress then laughed when asked if she and KD Estrada, whom she’s dating exclusively, thought of starting a family of their own someday. “He’s only 22 and he’s starting college. But we have the same mindset.”

“If we’re both financially stable and if he’s capable of taking care of me and my family,” she further added. “What I like about KD is he wants to treat me like a princess and I really appreciate that.”

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Touching on their plans to focus on their careers, Ilacad said that she and Estrada will decide to have kids at the right time, especially since they’re still young.

“We’re not ready to settle down [yet]. We’re not going to [start a family] because of our age. We are going to do it when we’re ready and we know to ourselves that we can provide. There’s no pressure between usaubet,” she said.

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