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Enrique Gil admitted that it was his personal decision to take a step back from showbiz during the pandemic.

“I was just tired, I guess,” the 31-year-old actor-dancer said during a media event prepared by Ticket2Me on Friday, July 14.

He continued, “Maybe because during the course of the pandemic, when everything was shut down, I was at home, I just realized, 'Wow, ang sarap pala ng nasa bahay ka lang.'

“I lived with my dad and I realized, I was just getting older, my mom was getting old. I just missed them, I guess. I just realized that, okay, work is important but family is more important. And the time that I lost… we can't have everything.

“I gave my whole life to the industry. Yun lang, I just felt I lost a lot of time and I just want to keep that and just enjoy it. It made me realize a lot of things of what's more important than money and fame.”

After a three-year showbiz hiatus, Enrique decided to go back not only resuming his job as an actor but also taking on new challenging roles behind the camera.

One of these roles is being a chief marketing officer of Ticket2Me, a digital ticketing and video platform for online and offline events.

“It started with me really wanting to give back to the entertainment industry,” said Enrique, who will also invest in the company, along with his new talent manager, Ranvel Rufino.

He said, “As you guys know, I decided to step away from the entertainment industry, the limelight. Sabi ko, this is not for me anymore, gusto ko na lang nang tahimik na buhay. In those three years, you know, in the back of my mind, in my heart, something just didn't sit right.

“So, me and Kuya talked and sabi ko, 'I need to do something. I need to leave a legacy in the entertainment world.'

“So, we created a production company. Sabi ko, I need to create a production company so, you know, kapag kulubot na ako, when I get older, hindi na right for me to work or to perform in front of the camera, I will still be able to provide content and entertainment to all my fans, to the viewers, to everyone.

“It's the same with Ticket2Me, you know, being a performer--being known for being 'King of the Gil,' a dancer, a singer, performing in hundreds of concerts all around the world--I saw Ticket2Me na kahit hindi na ako makapagsayaw o kumembot like I used to, I will still be in a position where I can give entertainment, give my fans a really, really good show. It just really completes my story.”

Enrique Gil (second from left) with (from left) Ticket2Me founder Darwin Mariano, chief executive officer Julia Bautista, and talent manager Ranvel Rufino.
Source: Nherz Almo

As new executives, Enrique and Ranvel hope to reach a wider audience by introducing new shows that the company has not fully explored yet. These include sports and music events such as fan meetings, concerts, and celebrity basketball leagues.

“We're actually planning a celebrity basketball tournament. Eventually, we will also bring volleyball and other sports. We'll have stars from different networks, some politicians, and other personalities from the entertainment industry.

“I believe sports brings everyone together so that's one project that we will be doing. I just realized during the pandemic, nawala lahat 'yun. We will also bring some bigger international acts for our future projects,” Enrique said.

He also noted, “To be in the position where I can create these events… Sabi ko talaga, we need to get to a point na hindi lang puro work ang tatanggapin mo. You need to get to a point na yung tatanggapin mo, ma-e-enjoy mo na rin,” Enrique said.

In the end, the celebrity-entrepreneur reiterated about his new venture, “I'm making this now, so even I don't have to be in front of the camera, I can still be with my family and still be able to provide entertainment--on the red carpet, on screen or on the stage. This really completes my story.”

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