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Former child star BJ Forbes, popularly known as Tolits, opened up about one of the most difficult chapters of his life, recalling how he lost the money he worked hard for and was eventually forced to leave the home his family had been living in.

In an interview on Kara David's i-Listen, BJ Forbes shared that after enjoying a successful career as a child actor, opportunities became scarce as he entered his teenage years.

According to BJ, the decline in projects took a toll on him emotionally and financially.

“So, du'n dahil nga nawala sa bahay, sustain na lang 'yung projects na dumadating para sa pangangailangan, du'n na ako parang nagsimula na ma-depress nu'ng walang income. Na parang, ang tingin ko sa sarili ko, I'm just something na 'pag walang kuwenta, wala nang silbi, I can go. Parang gano'n,” he said.

The actor admitted that there was a time when he struggled with negative thoughts as the pressure mounted.

“Siguro, nagkaroon din ng parang phase of life na parang kahit ano 'yung natulong ko, dumating pa rin sa punto na parang nu'ng nawala 'yung kaya kong i-provide, parang kasalanan ko pa rin na nawala 'yung gano'ng klaseng stream of income. Dumating sa gano'n.”

Despite the challenges, BJ found comfort and purpose in theater, which became both a creative outlet and a source of income.

“Dahil una-una, nai-express ko, 'yung nagawa ko siyang outlet na nakaka-arte pa rin ako, nailalabas ko ang emotions ko. At the same time, kumikita. So, 'yun. Tapos, ganu'ng time, nagta-try na din ng iba't-ibang side hustles,” he shared.

BJ also recounted how the house his family lived in was allegedly purchased by his mother using the money he earned as a child actor.

“Ang kuwento sa akin, bumili si mama ng bahay using my money. Binili niya sa ninang ko. I'm not sure kung magkano talaga ang naibigay, but the worth nu'ng bahay, parang nasa P2.5, ganiyan, to P3M.”

He said the family was able to stay in the property for years, but problems arose after his godfather passed away.

“So, natirahan naman namin 'yung bahay for a long time. Pero nu'ng namatay 'yung ninong ko, biglang nagpupunta sa amin sa bahay yung mga anak nila, and ganiyan, na binabawi 'yung bahay. Parang sinasabi na may irregularities, ganiyan.”

As he grew older, BJ said he began questioning why the property was never legally fought for if it had truly been fully paid.

“Ang sabi ni mama, naloko siya, nawala 'yung tamang titulo, ganiyan. But then, growing up, yun 'yung pinaniwalaan ko eh nu'ng panahon na 'yun. Pero growing up, siyempre, nagtatanong din ako sa sarili ko na bakit namin hindi nailaban sa legal, kung totoong fully paid, kung ganiyan. Baka meron din stories behind that.”

The situation left BJ feeling overwhelmed, especially since he felt responsible for helping his family despite his young age.

“So, nu'ng panahon na 'yun, at wala akong matakbuhan… na bakit ako pa rin ang kailangang humanap ng solusyon? Kasi 'yung mga kapatid ko, wala rin naman silang kakayahan. And I understand that.”

When asked if they had been forced to leave the house, BJ answered, “Yes.”

He also admitted harboring resentment toward his father at the time.

“Yung tatay ko, bakit wala? Bakit walang sumasaklolo? Bakit hindi man lang inalalayan si mama? So, nu'ng punto na 'yun, nagalit ako sa kaniya, tina-try ko ring intindihin kung saan siya nagmumula.”

During that difficult period, BJ said he and his family found shelter through the family of his girlfriend, whom he had met when he was just 13 years old.

“So, but by that time, 13 years old ako, meron na akong girlfriend nu'n. So, sila 'yung nakakasagip sa amin dahil may extra silang bahay. So, kung wala silang extrang bahay, baka, hindi ko alam kung anong nangyari sa amin after that.”

Losing both the house and the money he had earned also affected his self-confidence.

“Siyempre, una, nawalan ako ng confidence unang-una. Siyempre, para lunukin mo 'yung ego mo na makitira ka sa jowa pa lang. Tapos, alam mo naman na ilang taon pa lang kayo.”

BJ recalled that while they were staying in his girlfriend's home, several of their belongings were stolen.

“Pagdating namin du'n, siyempre, hindi naman magandang magandang bahay 'yun. Hindi naman siya sa maayos na subdivision. So, nagulat 'yung mga tao na bakit ako lumipat du'n tapos hindi magkasya 'yung gamit namin. Kaya du'n nagsimula na mga awards ko kung saan saan nakasalampak lang. So, may mga nasirang gamit, may maraming nanakaw na gamit.”

Eventually, BJ accepted that his life was no longer the same as when he was a successful child star and focused on finding other ways to earn a living.

On I-Listen, BJ also shared how he managed to overcome these struggles and eventually found it in himself to forgive the father who left their family.

“Pero, sa sarili ko nu'ng panahon na 'yun, tinanggap ko na lang na hindi na ako artista level. So, naghanap lang ako ng ibang mga means of income.”

Watch his full feature on i-Listen: