
Actor-comedian BJ Forbes reflected on his humble beginnings and the lessons he learned growing up, revealing that his family lived a simple life long before he entered show business.
In an interview on i-Listen, BJ shared that his mother raised him to be disciplined and grounded. "Pinalaki naman ako ng mama ko na very disciplined so kapag may mga mamahaling bagay, naiilang kaming lumapit sa mga ganoon," he said. According to him, this was because their family was not financially well-off. "Dahil 'yung buhay namin hindi naman ganun ka-well-off."
He described their home in Taytay as modest but comfortable, saying, "Simpleng parang probinsya style eh. Barong-barong siya pero kubo style so maayos naman."
BJ added that he grew up with his siblings from his mother's side and is the youngest among them.
He also opened up about learning more about his family's complicated history only after his father's passing. He shared that he has half-siblings on both sides of his family and initially believed his father was often away because of work installing telephone cables in different areas.
"Growing up, akala ko laging wala si papa kasi lagi lang nasa work," he said.
However, BJ later discovered that his father had another family.
"Nalaman ko na lang nung namatay na si erpat na nung napanood niya ako sa Eat Bulaga! kasama niya 'yung tunay niyang asawa, doon nagsimula na hindi na siya pwedeng dumalaw sa amin because alam na meron siyang ibang family."
BJ admitted that he still has many unanswered questions about that chapter of his life, though some answers have gradually come to light over time.
Watch his full feature on i-Listen: