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If there's one saying in showbiz that never gets old, it's probably “The show must go on.”

We've heard many celebrities and media professionals say this when talking about professionalism.

Sometimes, even in the most unfortunate moments, like a death of a loved one, performers are compelled to put on a mask and continue the show.

One of the celebrities who experienced this first-hand is comedian and Kita Kita actor Empoy Marquez.

Actor Empoy Marquez shares his experience of doing a show after learning of a loved one's death / Source: @empoy (IG)

During his guest appearance in the program Share Ko Lang, hosted by Dr. Anna Tuazon, Empoy recounted his experience of pushing through with a show despite the loss of a loved one.

“Birthday po ni Ms. Sharon Cuneta. Special guest niya po ako sa may Araneta Coliseum.

“Tapos... Hindi ko nga po alam kung bakit nandu'n po ako nu'ng time na 'yun pero sabi nu'ng staff, 'Isa ka sa gusto ni Miss Shawie kaya ikaw ang isa sa special guest na surprise.'

“Pumunta po sa akin 'yung PA ko, sabi niya, 'Gusto ka makausap nu'ng ano. Tumatawag 'yung pinsan mo.' Tapos sinagot ko.

“Sabi ko, 'Hello.' Sabi nu'ng pinsan ko, 'Poy, nasaan ka ba?' Sabi ko, 'Erick, nandito ako sa may Araneta. Guest ako ni Miss Shawie. Surprise guest.' 'Oo, kaya lang hinahanap ka ni Inang.'

“'Yung lola ko po. Nasa ospital po siya that time, e, at nasa ICU nu'ng time po na 'yun.

“Tapos after mga one minute po, kinakausap ko po siyang ganyan tapos ipapasa na po yata niya kay Inang 'yung telepono para kausapin po ako.

“Ipaparinig niya lang po 'yung ganu'n, tapos 'yung gumaganu'n sa ospital, biglang nag-something na Tooooot...

“Tapos sinabi sa akin ng pinsan ko na wala na raw 'yung lola ko.”

Empoy then recalled how he struggled to keep it together and continue with the show.

“E, ako na po 'yung turn. Ako na 'yung kakanta. Ako na 'yung sa stage... Hindi ko po alam 'yung lyrics.

“Pero parang nu'ng time na 'yun, yumuko po ako tapos sabi ko sa sarili ko, 'Oh, Lord God, kayo na po ang bahala sa akin.'

“Alam mo 'yung nandu'n ka sa moment na nawala 'yung mahal mo sa buhay tapos nandito ka sa maraming tao, papunta ka rito sa maraming tao, maraming tao tapos malungkot ka, tapos bigla kang kailangan mong magpasaya ng maraming tao sa dome.

“First time in my life na nangyari po sa akin 'yun. Hindi lang pala sa pelikula nangyayari ito. Kailangan ko pa rin, continuous pa rin, show must go on.”

Empoy and his beloved lola / Source: Share Ko Lang

Being the professional actor and performer that he is, Empoy finished the show, all the way up until Sharon Cuneta was able to blow the candle on her birthday cake.

And after that, that's when he was finally free to breakdown and mourn the death of his lola.

“Dire-diretso po ako sa CR, tapos doon ako humagulgol po nang humagulgol.

“Tapos hindi ko na po kinuha... hindi ko na po na-fill up-an yata 'yung parang payslip, diretso na ako sa sasakyan.

“Uwi na po ako kasama ko po 'yung PA ko at saka 'yung driver ko. 'Yun po 'yung time na 'yun na sobrang nakakatulala po.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Empoy (@empoy)

Just recently, Empoy also lost another loved one while he was on the set, taping for his TV series.

“Pero nitong recently lang po 'yung stepfather ko, he died 10 days ago, “ Empoy revealed.

“Nakakabigla po 'yung ganu'ng pangyayari. Same lang. Alam mo 'yung kailangan mong...ako po 'yung 'yun nga nabanggit ko po a while ago na ako po 'yung comic relief.

“Kailangan, siyempre, sa set happy, 'tapos parang ano siya hindi ka dapat makitaan na malungkot ka.”

This is just one of the sad realities of being a comedian that Empoy unmasked during his interview.

He also talked about how people expect comedians to put on a happy face and crack jokes all the time, even when they're not on stage or in front of the camera.

Plus, Empoy also shares how he copes with the stresses of his job as an actor and what he likes doing during his alone time.

Watch Empoy Marquez's full interview in the Share Ko lang video below.

For more lifestyle content, head out to GMA's Lifestyle page.

Check out also what other celebrities have to say about dealing with anxiety and other mental health issues.