MANILA - Actor John Estrada admitted in a television interview that he was hurt when his eldest daughter with former wife Janice de Belen dropped his family name.

Inah Estrada, who recently joined showbiz, is using the screen name Inah de Belen.

On Tuesday, Estrada appeared on "Tonight with Boy Abunda" with "Magpahanggang Wakas" co-star Gelli de Belen, Janice's sister.

The actor said that even though he was hurt, he understands his daughter's decision.

"At first [I was hurt]," he said. "Of course, it's a dad's instinct. I even told Gelli that and when my daughter called me, I said, 'No way.' But her management explained [it and I understood]."

He went on to say that his love for his daughter is greater than his last name.

Estrada is married to former beauty queen Priscilla Meirelles. They have a daughter named Anechka.