Kate Alejandrino Juan: The Privilege of Motherhood and Returning to Theater

Actress Kate Alejandrino Juan opens up about how becoming a mom to her son Rocio reshaped her life and her return to the stage

For Kate Alejandrino Juan, stepping back into theater felt like coming home—this time, with a deeper sense of purpose shaped by motherhood.

The opportunity to join Endo came at just the right moment, as she navigates life as a hands-on mom to her son, Rocio, alongside her husband, actor Cedrick Juan.

“Just the thought of having the chance to do theater again was one. And with PETA, no less!” Kate shares. “It was through the process of rehearsals and text work, led by our inspiring director Sir Melvin Lee, that the story made more sense. We are all Tanyas, Leos, and Candys in this crazy, impermanent, precarious world.”

For Kate, the experience became more than just a role—it was a responsibility. “The purpose of this whole journey for me was to share it. To help tell our story. To give hope to Filipinos that we can and do have the agency to live our lives, not just survive.”

As she takes on the role of Candy in Endo, which runs until May 10, Kate acknowledges how much her life—and perspective—has evolved as both an actress and a mother to a toddler.

Leaning on her “angels”

Since welcoming Rocio last year, Kate and Cedrick have learned to work as a team, adjusting schedules and taking turns caring for their son. More than anything, she credits her support system—her “angels”—for helping her navigate this new chapter.

“I have all the help I need from family, relatives, and angels who have held my son and me in this new chapter as a working mom,” she says. “Marami pa ring kailangan matutunan, tulad ng mag-relax at ‘wag isipin ang worst-case scenario… pero mas napapadali kasi may community na nakaalalay at nagmamahal sa amin.”

Still, motherhood has meant making difficult choices. Kate admits she’s had to turn down projects to prioritize Rocio, especially when logistics become overwhelming.

“Ang lalayo kasi ng locations ng shoot—yung iba kailangan pang ma-eroplano. Mahirap na masyado yung logistics. Iniisip ko pa lang ngayon, na-stress na ako!” she laughs.

The Moments that Matter

Despite the sacrifices, Kate is soaking in every moment of motherhood—especially the fleeting, quiet ones.

“I just keep thinking that this is the first and last time I’m ever going to see this—see his little feet, cradle him in my arms, nurse him, and rock him to sleep,” she shares.

Like many first-time moms, she has sharpened her instincts in ways she never expected. One moment that stood out was when she suddenly sensed Rocio might fall off the bed.

“I was in the shower and randomly thought that my son would fall. When I turned off the faucet, I heard a thud—and he cried. I missed catching him, but I felt it. He was okay after,” she recalls.

For Kate, it’s the simplest milestones that bring the most joy. “Watching my son explore the world—when he reaches for a new toy or tastes new food, and his eyes light up—those are the moments I think, ‘Wow, what a joy it is to be alive and to hold your hand through it.’”

When art mirrors reality

Endo explores the realities of contractual labor and economic instability—stories that hit close to home for many Filipinos. For Kate, the themes resonate deeply, even within the entertainment industry.

“Being an actor in this country feels like a constant fight for survival,” she says. “I started working and living on my own at 19, with only a high school diploma in Theater Arts and thick skin to back me up.”

Without connections or a safety net, she relied on grit and passion. “I didn’t know anyone in the industry. I didn’t know how to do anything else but act—and so I did. I know what it feels like to live from paycheck to paycheck, worrying about the next project. But I’m stubborn—I’ll act until I physically can’t anymore. It’s when I feel most alive.”

Kate Alejandrino Juan (middle) joins the cast of Endo during a rehearsal visit attended by the press. Photo courtesy of PETA

She also understands why many people today hesitate to start families.

“Many people my age don’t want to have children in this economy—and I totally understand why,” she says. “Ang hirap na nga i-sustain ang buhay as a single person, paano pa kung may lima kang anak na pakakainin?”

She adds, “Sa hirap ng buhay ngayon, parang wala na tayong oras na mabuhay. Like in Endo, gusto lang naman nila ng buhay na malaya silang mangarap—pero kailangan pang pagpilian ang pangarap at pag-ibig. Nakakapanlumo.”

A deeper kind of empathy

Motherhood has also transformed the way Kate approaches her craft. In her recent project, A Mother’s Vengeance, where she plays a mother named Helen Regala, she found herself connecting to the role on a much deeper level.

“It wasn’t difficult to get emotional over the plot. It hits different now, for sure,” she admits.

More than anything, becoming a mom has reshaped how she sees herself—and her purpose.

“It is the greatest privilege to be called a mother. To bring life into this world and watch him grow into his own is pure magic,” she reflects. “I’ve learned to honor my own voice, mind, and body because it’s living for someone else now.”

And perhaps the most important lesson she’s learned?

“That choosing the person you build a life with is vital,” Kate says. “I wouldn’t have the honor of being called a mother without Cedrick. He’s the reason I still have the time to pursue my dreams. When you have a great partner, you can build—and raise—a better life together.”

More stories of first-time moms

Mila Gulfan: On Life as a New Mom and Rediscovering Herself After Birth
Ritz Azul: Embracing a Slower, More Intentional Path to Motherhood
Erika Kristensen Lee: Preparing for Baby, Learning to Pause