How singer-composer Nasser found new life in Singapore
It's not easy starting over, and for former Down to Mars member Nasser--previously known as Jang--a change of career is a daunting choice.
But who knew that his vacation in Singapore in 2014 would open a new door for him?
In an exclusive chat with GMANetwork.com via video conference, he shared how he ended up working in the said country.
The trip was just supposed to be a break after his boy group disbanded.
He shared, “2014 noon, I was just planning to have a vacation, kasi 'yun 'yung time na nag-disband 'yung Down To Mars.
“Pahinga muna, nakaranas ng depression. Kasi as a leader ako 'yung una nagsabi na 'I think we need to disband para may personal growth.' So para sa akin, hindi ko mahahanap 'yun sa Pilipinas.
“I just need to go outside and relax, so I have my college friend na nandito (Singapore), tapos sa kanya ako tumuloy.”
But his vacation turned out to be an opportunity for him to find a new career and practice his degree as a pharmacy graduate from the University of Santo Tomas (UST).
Nasser said, “Balak ko pa mag-aral dito, kasi gusto ko din magtrabaho as a pharmacist. Gusto ko din ma-practice 'yung degree ko, but I cannot practice here it here in Singapore kasi I need to take a lot of units.
“But it will take a lot of bucks, ang mahal ng pag-aaral dito.”
Before he left the Philippines, his friend advised him to bring all his documents just in case he finds a job there.
“So nandito ako, nagpapahinga ako for a week. Buti sinabihan niya ako na sa Pilipinas pa ako, 'Why don't you bring your credentials? like your diploma, your transcript of records, birth certificate and stuff kasi just in case you feel like looking for a job here, why not?'
“Ewan ko, siguro God really designed me to go out of my comfort zone para makita 'yung sarili ko.”
Not only was he given the chance to have a job there, he also had the choice on which sector to work for.
“Then there was an opportunity for me to work in the hospital, to be a pharmacy technician, and also in a school setting.
“I chose the school setting. 'Pag sa hospital ka kasi nagtatrabaho, hindi mo hawak oras mo.”
The former Kapuso boyband member is now a lab specialist in an all-girls government-run school. His current job allows his to do his other passion like vlogging since he has a YouTube channel with over 145,000 subscribers.
He also still gets to sing for his fellow Filipinos as a talent of Curve Entertainment, wherein he is asked to sing the theme songs of several popular Korean and Thai series shown in the Philippines.
Recently, he was chosen to sing the official soundtrack of the first Filipino BL (Boys Love) series 'Gameboys.'
“Binalance ko siya, doon ko napagtanto na I want to work in the education sector, kasi sa education sector your work is only fixed, 8 to 5.
"After that you are on your own, you can do whatever you want. Sa hospital setting you cannot.”
“I work in a science laboratory, so it is still related to my education. I'm handling Chemistry, Biology and Physics, so sabi ko okay na ako dito.
"Doon na, nagtuloy-tuloy na ako from 2014 up to now, I'm here in Singapore.”
He also listed down some of the best things about living in Singapore. Check out Nasser's exclusive Give Me Five video below.
Kapuso Showbiz: How does Nasser feel about singing K-drama and Lakorn theme songs?
Former 'Down To Mars' member Nasser, suki sa theme songs ng GMA Korean at Thai series