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Former comedienne and ex-politician Cita Astals recently gave a rare glimpse into her current life and personal struggles during an appearance on Kapuso journalist Susan Enriquez's vlog.

Now living a quieter life in Dasmariñas, Cavite, Cita spoke candidly about stepping away from public attention and revealed details about her mental health condition, which she was diagnosed with in 2011.

“Dapat confidential 'yan, ako lang ang nagkamali,” she said. “I was thinking people will understand but they don't.”

She shared that when she initially chose to speak publicly about her condition, she hoped it would help reduce stigma surrounding mental illness. However, she admitted the outcome was far from what she expected.

“I was hoping my coming out in the open will help people understand and cut down on stigma, kaya lang hind rin nangyari,” Cita said. “Ang problema, sa tagalog, any mental illness naka-lump sum na 'baliw'.”

Cita also described the challenges she continues to face after disclosing her diagnosis, saying it affected how people treat her in everyday situations.

“Any mistake you make, anything, you're walking down the street, [you'll hear people say] 'ayan naglalakad na naman kasi na baliw na naman.'”

“Minsan mapapaaway ka kasi may mga tao, andiyan ka nakatayo, lalapit 'baliw yan.' Pag binalikan mo, they deny it.”

She traced the beginning of her struggles to a dispute involving family property in Mindanao years ago.

“Everything started in '2009-2010, nung ninakaw yung lupa ng mommy ko sa Mindanao. 'Yun ang puno't dulo.'”

Cita further claimed she was unfairly labeled during the ordeal. “She was tortured for about two years and had me dubbed as insane para hindi ko ma-claim 'yung property.”

“Ang problema they rehash it every seven years,” she added.

During the interview, she also took time to clarify misconceptions about bipolar disorder and how she manages it.

She explained, “Bipolar is not a thinking disorder. It's mood disorder” and shared that she continues to take medication, though at a low dosage.

“It comes with extreme stress but once uminom ka ng gamot, you're fine,” she said.

“My mental health is fine,” Cita said. “Emotionally I'm pretty OK considering all the harassment I'm going through.”

According to the Mayo Clinic, bipolar disorder is a mental health condition characterized by extreme mood shifts ranging from emotional highs (mania or hypomania) to deep lows (depression). Hypomania is considered a milder form of mania.

Formerly called manic depression, bipolar disorder includes several types. Bipolar involves at least one manic episode, while Bipolar II includes at least one major depressive episode and one hypomanic episode. In some cases, severe mania may lead to psychosis.

The condition is considered long-term but manageable with proper treatment and support.

Outside of her health journey, Cita is best remembered for her role as Hilary in Home Along da Riles. She later transitioned into public service, serving three terms as a Manila councilor, and made another political bid in 2016 as a party-list congressional candidate.

Today, she spends a more private life surrounded by supportive neighbors, whom she introduced to Susan during the vlog.

RELATED GALLERY: Cita Astals, kinumusta ni Susan Enriquez sa Cavite