The saddest and happiest times in Jake Vargas' life

Actor Jake Vargas is testament to how there are ups and downs in life. At the age of 21, he has had his fair share of both victory and defeat.

In the many things that he has already been through, there are two monumental events that have made a mark on his life, and have helped transform him to who he is today.

His happiest

For aspiring artists, their first stints in show business would always be unforgettable. For Jake, his humble beginnings in Walang Tulugan laid the foundation for his career.

It was Kuya Germs who discovered him, and helped him reach greater heights in show business. “Si Kuya Germs bale ang [tumulong] sa akin para makilala ako ng tao. Siya yung tumulong sa akin [na] umangat 'yung career ko,” he said.

More than just a manager, Kuya Germs holds a special place in Jake’s heart. “Siya ang nag-alaga sa akin. Mentor at manager, saka kumbaga, tatay-tatayan ko sa showbiz,” he added.

Even with his growing number of engagements, Jake is still a mainstay in Walang Tulugan, showing that no matter what he achieves, he’ll always know how to go back home.

His saddest

The biggest heartbreak that Jake went through was the death of his mom. After battling colon cancer, his mom passed away in 2011, leaving Jake weak and helpless.

“Mahirap mawalan ng isang ina… Sobrang hirap, sobrang nakakalungkot. Iba pa rin kung nandyan 'yung nanay mo,” he said.

However, he consoles himself with the thought that he made the most of his time with her and that she saw how hard he worked to make a name for himself in the industry.

“Natutuwa ako kasi [pinapanood niya ako dati] sa bahay. Tatawag siya na napanood niya ko sa TV. Natutuwa ako kasi nakakawala [yun] sa kanya ng sakit sa katawan. Kahit may nararamdaman siya, masaya siya dahil [nakita] niya na narating ko ang gusto kong marating,” he shared.

Jake acknowledges that he will go through more joyful and painful things in his life. What he intends to do is embrace each experience, and be driven by what his heart tells him.

“Sundin mo lang yung nasa puso mo,” he stated. “Yun 'yung dapat siguro maging goal mo sa sarili.”

-- Text by Meryl Ligunas, GMANetwork.com; Interview by Tunay Na Buhay