“Maging masaya.”
This was Angel Leighton's consistent answer when repeatedly asked about her birthday wish. The Sparkle artist turned 21 on August 6 but only got to celebrate it with her family and friends in grand party held on August 11 at the Avire Tower in Quezon City.
In the said occasion, Angel was once again asked about her birthday wish after blowing the candle on her birthday cake.
She answered, “Lagi n'yong naririnig 'to pero sana maging masaya. Mahirap maging masaya, para sa akin, kasi, siyempre, sa work, family issues, personal issues. Ang number one wish ko lang is maging happy talaga ako ng sobra.””
GMANetwork.com and other select entertainment media had a chance to chat with Angel while she was preparing for one of her birthday productions. In this interview, the young actress opened up about her true feelings.
“Hindi ko alam kung puwede ko ba 'tong sabihin pero, okay, sasabihin ko na. Nagkakaroon kasi ako ng anxiety,” she said.
When asked what could be the cause of her anxiety, Angel replied, “Siguro dahil sa mga pinagdadaanan ko sa buhay, parang nagiging emotional ako ngayon.” “
She also mentioned, “Siyempre, hindi naman mawawala yung family problem talaga, natural lang yung sa buhay. Siguro dahil din sa sarili ko, sa career ko, kasi mahirap talagang maging artista. Sinasabi ko 'to kasi yun ang totoo, ayaw kong magsinungaling. Pero matapang naman ako, nandito pa rin ako sa inyong harapan.”
Angel then said that she just got real about her feeling because she knows that like her, there are other people who also feels anxious about life.
“Hindi 'yon dapat ipaalam ng mga tao. Pero siyempre, alam kong may mga tao na nagkaka-anxiety na katulad ko.
“Kaya ko 'to sinasabi para at least alam ng mga tao na kami din, kaming mga artista, parehas lang kaming tao. Parehas lang kaming nagkaka-anxiety, nagkakaproblema, may pinagdadaanan sa buhay.
“Kaya kung sinoman ang may pinagdadaanan sa buhay ngayon, sana maging strong kayo at laban lang sa buhay,”she said with a sense of encouragement.
As much as possible, Angel doesn't want to think about her anxiety. But whenever the feeling kicks in, Angel confessed, “Iniiyak ko lang siya.”
She continued about managing her anxiety, “Iniiyak ko siya kasi parang nawawala yung pain, e, alam mo 'yon? Parang kapag binuhos nating lahat, parang ang sarap huminga. Iniiyak ko lang then, kakausapin ko yung mga kapatid ko, mga friends ko, mag-a-advise sila sa akin. Nagbabasa rin ako ng mga Bible verse, nanonood ako ng kahit ano sa YouTube para lang maging kalma ako.”
Despite her current mental health struggles, Angel remains thankful for all the opportunities in her showbiz career.
Sa kabila ng kanyang nararamdaman, patuloy namang nagpapasalamat si Angel sa sunud-sunod na oportunidad na dumarating sa kanyang showbiz career.
Aside from the weekly show Walang Matigas na Pulas sa Matinik na Misis, Angel also became a part of the hit GMA Afternoon Prime teledrama titled Abot-Kamay na Pangarap.
“Sobrang thankful ko talaga sa GMA, sa Sparkle, as in 100 percent po talaga. Kasi, pinagkatiwalaan po nila talaga ako, binigyan po nila ako ng chance maipakita yung talents ko, yung pag-arte ko, pagsasayaw ko. Sobrang blessed ko lang po talaga sa buhay ko ngayon,” she ended.
MEANWHILE, HERE ARE OTHER CELEBRITIES WHO OPENED UP ABOUT THEIR MENTAL HEALTH STRUGGLES:
BB Gandang Hari spoke up about suffering from a severe anxiety attack and emotional distress that caused her blood pressure to shoot up. She hinted that this was caused by workplace bullying related to her gender.
Kapuso actress Jasmine Curtis-Smith also opened up about her mental health. During a seminar called “You, Me, Empathy,” Jasmine admitted the pressure from being a celebrity triggered her anxiety and depression.
On Instagram, BB wrote, “”Say NO to workplace BULLYING.... What would you do when you're transgender and your personal and professional boundaries are being violated and attacked in a work environment who claims to be a SAFE ZONE for people like me?”
Fortunately, Jasmine has found ways to battle her condition in a more positive way. The actress said talking to a mental health professional, reading self-help books, and having a support system helps her manage stress and have a healthier state of mind.
Nagluksa ang OPM industry noong January 16, 2019 dahil sa diumanong pagpapakamatay ng Razorback drummer na si Brian Velasco. Nagbigay ng pakikiramay at supporta para sa mental health ang ilang musikero tulad nina Ebe Dancel, Francis Brew Reyes, at ang bandang Soapdish.
IInamin ng TV host-actress Isabelle Daza na naranasan na niya ang matinding pressure sa social media lalo pa't isa siyang celebrity. Sabi niya, "Every day, I'm pressured by the amount of likes I have and the amount of comments."
Sinabi rin ng dating Eat Bulaga Dabarkad na minsan nahihirapan siya kung ano ang dapat niyang ibahagi sa social media at kung ano ang dapat panatilihin niyang pribado. Mabuti na lamang daw at nandiyan ang kaniyang asawang si Adrien Semblat, “I'm lucky because my husband Adrien, he's a bit disconnected from social media. He says you have to be authentic to yourself.”
Inamin ni Heart Evangelista na nakaranas siya ng depression matapos makunan noong Hunyo 2018.
Jerika Ejercito, the daughter of former president Joseph "Erap" Estrada, is a huge mental health advocate. She once wrote on social media, "2012 my journey began. realizing the urgent need to finally break the stigma regarding Mental Health. To raise not only awareness but a deep understanding of the gravity and importance of this cause. This journey led me to so many learning and sometimes very difficult experiences. But at the same time it has led me to meet some of the most wonderful and beautiful human beings to have walked the earth. And to them I am grateful. Thank you for tirelessly listening to me rant and cry and talk and rave about mental health for the last six years. And now here we are celebrating the passing of the FIRST EVER Mental Health Law. I am amazed at how this movement has evolved into what it is today. I am just grateful to have played a small part in this incredible moment for our country. #MentalHealthPH #BeHealedPH"
At a young age, Jerika experienced major triggering factors such as the impeachment of her father back in 2002. She was only 16 years old when this happened. Bullying and family difficulties also became factors that triggered her depression.
Anne Curtis recently opened up about battling depression. In a press conference, Anne admitted going on a social media break for a month to “block everything out.”
Anne was quoted saying, “A lot has to do with, in fact, the press, and having the stress of press when I was going through something very, very tough." She added, “"But I think when you have the perfect support team around you and you don't let it eat you up inside, you'll be able to get through it."
Nagdulot daw ng depresyon kay Maricel Soriano ang pagkamatay ng kanyang ina.
Ayon kay Maricel, apat na araw raw siyang 'di natulog dahil sa sobrang kalungkutan kaya't humingi na siya ng tulong sa isang propesyonal.
Sa pamamagitan ng isang Facebook post, ibinahagi ni Sharon Cuneta ang kuwento sa likod ng kanyang pinagdaanang depresyon.
Ayon sa social media post, si Judy Ann Santos daw ang tumulong kay Sharon upang makabangon muli sa kanyang kondisyon noon.
Noon 2015, ginulat ni Gab Valenciano ang publiko nang aminin niya sa social media na nakaranas siya ng depresyon.
Ayon sa post, tumagal ito ng apat na taon.
Inamin ni Miss International 2016 Kylie Verzosa sa kanyang 'Bawal Ang Pasaway' guesting noong October 2017 na pati siya ay dumaan sa depresyon. Ayon sa beauty queen, tumagal daw ang kanyang clinical depression ng pitong buwan.
Bago pa man maging isang beauty queen, isinusulong na ni Kylie ang mental health awareness bilang kanyang advocacy.
Nakaranas ng depresyon si Antoinette Taus dahil sa pagkamatay ng kanyang ina.
Umabot sa tatlong taon ang kondisyon ni Antoinette at unti-unti raw siyang nakabangon dahil sa suporta ng kanyang pamilya.
Inamin ni Joy Cancio sa kanyang 'Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho' interview na nagdulot ng depresyon ang kanyang pagkakalulong sa sugal at pagbagsak ng kanyang showbiz career.
Sinubukan daw ni Joy na kitilin ang kanyang sariling buhay ngunit nabigyan siya ng second chance kaya't naging aktibo raw siya ngayon sa kanyang church.
Sa 'Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho' rin inamin ni Janno Gibbs na nakaranas siya ng depresyon.
Upang tuluyang makabangon mula sa mental condition, humingi ng tulong sa propesyonal si Janno.
Dumaan din sa clinical depression ang former lead vocalist ng bandang Sugarfree na si Ebe Dancel.
Ibinahagi ni Ebe ang kanyang experience sa depression sa kanyang social media account kamakailan lamang. "My doctor once told me, it's like a fever. Something's wrong with your body, so take your meds. I believe her. I'm better because of her," saad ng singer.
Taong 2012 nang mapabalitaang palaboy-laboy sa lansangan ang aktor na si Soliman Cruz. Mahigit isang taon daw siyang nakaranas ng depresyon.
Dahil sa tulong ng kanyang kaibigan at ng asawa nitong psychiatrist, gumaling si Soliman sa kanyang clinical depression.
Umamin sa isang panayam ng isang entertainment website ang power-belter na si Jed Madela na dumaan siya depresyon. Sa katunayan nasa recovery stage pa rin siya diumano, pero laking pasasalamat niya na unti-unti nang bumubuti ang kanyang kalagayan.
Dagdag pa ng magaling na singer na nakaranas siya ng anxiety attacks, pero nalagpasan daw niya ang lahat ng ito sa tulong ng mga mahal niya sa buhay at pagso-social media detox.
Inamin ni Nadine Lustre sa Instagram na dumaan siya sa depresyon. Pahayag niya sa isang emosyonal na post, "I have days when I have to put a mask on, smiling, numbing myself from negative emotions, too often. I have already mastered the art of hiding it, I bet you never even noticed it."
Nagpasalamat naman siya sa kanyang pamilya at mga kaibigan sa pagsuporta at pag-unawa sa kanyang kalagayan. Aniya, hindi naman dapat itago ang depresyon at huwag mahiyang ilabas ang tunay na nararamdaman.
Ayon sa mga report, ang 16-year-old brother ni Nadine ay dumaan din sa depresyon na nagtulak sa kanya na kitilin ang kanyang sariling buhay. Ibinahagi ng aktres sa kanyang Instagram stories ang larawan ng semi-colon bilang simbolismo ng mental health and suicide prevention awareness. Ang ama naman ni Nadine ay nagpa-tattoo ng semi-colon sa kanyang kamay bilang pag-alala sa yumaong anak.
Taong 2013 pa lang ay inamin na ni Sarah Geronimo na nakaranas siya ng quarter-life crisis.
Noong April 2018, kumalat ang video ni Sarah kung saan nag-break down ang singer sa mismong concert nito sa Las Vegas. Habang kinakanta ang "Forever's Not Enough," napahinto siya at pumunta sa backstage. Humingi naman siya ng paumanhin sa kanyang audience at ibinahagi ang kanyang saloobin. Saad niya, "Ginusto ko pong maibahagi 'yung talento ko, pero hindi po pala ako handa dun sa mga kasama ng hiningi ko. Lalo na po 'yung pressure to always do good, maging role model ka, maging perpekto ka ... mahirap po. I've been asking myself 'Bakit I feel empty?' Hindi 'yong successful na shows or mga hits ang makakapagpakumpleto sa 'yo, ang makakapagpasaya sa 'yo bilang tao, kundi 'yung tunay na pagmamahal na hindi nagbabago--perpekto ka man o hindi."
Nagpakita naman ng suporta ang kanyang boyfriend na si Matteo Guidicelli. Short but sweet ang mensahe nito para sa Pop Star Princess na may katagang, "Keep walking, I'll always be beside you. No matter what. I love you my love. And I miss you."
Superstar Nora Aunor recently revealed she also suffered from depression.
Inamin ni Ashley Rivera sa kanyang interview sa 'Tunay Na Buhay' na dumaan siya sa depresyon dahil sa pang-aabuso ng kanyang ex-boyfriend. "Nag-start lang 'yang depression na 'yan when I got into a really parang toxic relationship with a guy. It was abusive... emotionally, verbally, sometimes physically," saad niya.
Sa pocket press conference para sa pelikulang 'And Ai Thank You,' ibinahagi ni Aiai delas Alas na nakaramdam siya ng "overwhelming stress and sadness" noong early 2000s. Aniya, "More of pagod ka sa dami ng ginagawa mo, tapos parang ang daming tao na gusto kang kausapin, tapos wala kang time para sa sarili mo, so na-overwhelm ka."
Aiai delas Alas relates how she battled depression
Postpartum depression naman ang naramdaman ni Andi Eigenmann pagkatapos isilang ang kanyang pangalawang anak.
READ: Andi Eigenmann opens up about postpartum depression
Minsan na rin daw naisip ni Kris Bernal na sumuko dahil sa pagiging sobrang busy. Bukod kasi sa pagiging artista, hands on din si Kris sa kanyang mga negosyo.
READ: Kris Bernal, gusto nang mag-quit sa trabaho?
Prenatal depression naman daw ang pinagdaanan ni Kylie Padilla bago ang kanyang second pregnancy.
READ: Kylie Padilla reveals how she struggles, deals with her anxieties
Celebrity mom Iwa Moto bravely shared online that she has been dealing with several mental health issues. Aside from being bipolar, she was diagnosed with severe panic attack disorder, Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS).