Actor and now celebrity dad Diego Loyzaga admitted that he had been in rehab for several months due to several factors, including depression.
On the February 23 episode of Fast Talk with Boy Abunda, Diego revealed that the previous years had been challenging for him.
He said, “I will not be a hypocrite in front of you and in front of our audience. I did go to rehab, definitely. I wanna be an advocate for mental health. I'm so happy, I have this platform now.
“Para lang ma-explain 'yung pangyayari or nangyari sa nakaraan, sa past ko kung bakit ako umabot sa rehab. I was very, very depressed. I was on the brink of suicidal, and I will not deny that substances had a part to play with my mental state. They don't help, e. Hindi siya nakakatulong.
“If you're already a person with the problem, meron kang pinagdadaanan, and, you know, there's other substances, other factors that are pulling you down, it's a hard pit, crawl out of, and so nag-rehab ako. I got out. I, for a time, could counsel people.”
Diego shared that he still has communication with the people who helped him inside the rehabilitation center.
“But, in saying this, hindi ko sinasabi na, 'I'm sober.' Because once you have a sip of alcohol, it's counted as a relapse. So, relapse ka na. But every single day, I still talk to my counselors. Every single day, I'm still in touch with, uhm, my kuyas, we call them kuyas and ates from my rehabilitation, and they still monitor me. All the time. I'm always still very open with them.
“So, the reason why I'm bringing this off is because. I wish, in the future, near future, I can start na nga my own YouTube channel and explain in detail 'yung mga nangyari sa 'kin, what happened inside, and how my life changed after,” he shared.
The son of ex-couple Cesar Montano and Teresa Loyzaga further talked about how difficult it was inside the rehab and how serious the treatment was.
“Like I said, hindi ako iyakin na tao. Pero ngayon, kung balikan ko 'yung isang araw ko dun sa loob ng rehab, maiiyak talaga ako.
"It was so difficult inside. You go back to that. I go back to that pain. I go back to that pain. You know, it was eight months until I saw the moon, it was eight months until I got to see the sun, 'yung nakalabas ng [rehab],” Diego claimed.
“I'm not shunning my rehabilitation, I owe them my life. Pero, you're kind of trapped inside, e. Hindi ka makakalabas, until you get to meet your family again, and that was the saddest, that was the saddest thing.
“Until it makes you realize kasi, there's a purpose, e. They take everything away from you, so you appreciate all the things that are given back when you get to go out and it broke me, you know?” he continued.
Despite the difficulties he faced while in the rehab center, Diego agreed that it had a positive impact on him.
“When I explained it to my dad, 'yung mga ginawa ko sa loob, 'yung mga pinapagawa sa 'kin, I learned from each and every single thing that we had to do inside, and it changed me as a person, it changed me as an actor. Yes, it made me deeper as a person. Pero again, I'm not saying, I'm perfect,” he claimed.
As their conversation continued, Diego became a bit emotional when Boy Abunda asked him what he would tell his daughter, Hailey, if she watched the interview.
“I guess, I'd say, 'Anak, in life, people make mistakes.' And I think naman, if we don't make mistakes, we don't really grow, you know. Bata pa ako nag-start mag-showbiz, e, sobrang bata. And everything I did, whether good or bad, was publicized, e. Kasi, your life is literally an open book for the public to see.
“I'll just say to her na, 'I hope you don't judge me for my past. I hope you don't look at me differently for the mistakes I've done, and maybe might still do in the future. But just know that I love you, and I promise that I'll give you a life that I never had.'”
Diego also promised his daughter that he would never leave her.
He said, “I know my parents did the most they could for me. Pero ako, for myself, I will really do everything in my power, kahit ano pang maisumbat ng tao sa 'kin na, 'Diego is this, Diego is that. Ito 'yung mga nagawa niya.'
“I will never, ever be an absent or not a loving father. 'Yan 'yung pangako ko talaga. I will give that to the Lord, and now say in front of you, and in front of all the people, hindi 'yan mawawala. I promise that.”
Meanwhile, Diego makes a comeback on the big screen with his latest film, "A Glimpse of Forever," starring Kapuso star Jasmine Curtis-Smith, and Jerome Ponce.
Meanwhile, here are other celebrities who opened up about their struggles with mental illness.
BB Gandang Hari spoke up about suffering from a severe anxiety attack and emotional distress that caused her blood pressure to shoot up. She hinted that this was caused by workplace bullying related to her gender.
On Instagram, BB wrote, “”Say NO to workplace BULLYING.... What would you do when you're transgender and your personal and professional boundaries are being violated and attacked in a work environment who claims to be a SAFE ZONE for people like me?”
Kapuso actress Jasmine Curtis-Smith also opened up about her mental health. During a seminar called “You, Me, Empathy,” Jasmine admitted the pressure from being a celebrity triggered her anxiety and depression.
Fortunately, Jasmine has found ways to battle her condition in a more positive way. The actress said talking to a mental health professional, reading self-help books, and having a support system helps her manage stress and have a healthier state of mind.
Nagluksa ang OPM industry noong January 16, 2019 dahil sa diumanong pagpapakamatay ng Razorback drummer na si Brian Velasco. Nagbigay ng pakikiramay at supporta para sa mental health ang ilang musikero tulad nina Ebe Dancel, Francis Brew Reyes, at ang bandang Soapdish.
IInamin ng TV host-actress Isabelle Daza na naranasan na niya ang matinding pressure sa social media lalo pa't isa siyang celebrity. Sabi niya, "Every day, I'm pressured by the amount of likes I have and the amount of comments."
Sinabi rin ng dating Eat Bulaga Dabarkad na minsan nahihirapan siya kung ano ang dapat niyang ibahagi sa social media at kung ano ang dapat panatilihin niyang pribado. Mabuti na lamang daw at nandiyan ang kaniyang asawang si Adrien Semblat, “I'm lucky because my husband Adrien, he's a bit disconnected from social media. He says you have to be authentic to yourself.”
Inamin ni Heart Evangelista na nakaranas siya ng depression matapos makunan noong Hunyo.
Jerika Ejercito, the daughter of former president and now Manila mayor Joseph "Erap" Estrada, is a huge mental health advocate. She once wrote on social media, "2012 my journey began. realizing the urgent need to finally break the stigma regarding Mental Health. To raise not only awareness but a deep understanding of the gravity and importance of this cause. This journey led me to so many learning and sometimes very difficult experiences. But at the same time it has led me to meet some of the most wonderful and beautiful human beings to have walked the earth. And to them I am grateful. Thank you for tirelessly listening to me rant and cry and talk and rave about mental health for the last six years. And now here we are celebrating the passing of the FIRST EVER Mental Health Law. I am amazed at how this movement has evolved into what it is today. I am just grateful to have played a small part in this incredible moment for our country. #MentalHealthPH #BeHealedPH"
At a young age, Jerika experienced major triggering factors such as the impeachment of her father back in 2002. She was only 16 years old when this happened. Bullying and family difficulties also became factors that triggered her depression.
Anne Curtis recently opened up about battling depression. In a press conference, Anne admitted going on a social media break for a month to “block everything out.”
Anne was quoted saying, “A lot has to do with, in fact, the press, and having the stress of press when I was going through something very, very tough." She added, “"But I think when you have the perfect support team around you and you don't let it eat you up inside, you'll be able to get through it."
Nagdulot daw ng depresyon kay Maricel Soriano ang pagkamatay ng kanyang ina.
Ayon kay Maricel, apat na araw raw siyang 'di natulog dahil sa sobrang kalungkutan kaya't humingi na siya ng tulong sa isang propesyonal.
Sa pamamagitan ng isang Facebook post, ibinahagi ni Sharon Cuneta ang kuwento sa likod ng kanyang pinagdaanang depresyon.
Ayon sa social media post, si Judy Ann Santos daw ang tumulong kay Sharon upang makabangon muli sa kanyang kondisyon noon.
Noon 2015, ginulat ni Gab Valenciano ang publiko nang aminin niya sa social media na nakaranas siya ng depresyon.
Ayon sa post, tumagal ito nang apat na taon.
Inamin ni Miss International 2016 Kylie Verzosa sa kanyang 'Bawal Ang Pasaway' guesting noong October 23 na pati siya ay dumaan sa depresyon. Ayon sa beauty queen, tumagal daw ang kanyang clinical depression nang pitong buwan.
Bago pa man maging isang beauty queen, isinusulong na ni Kylie ang mental health awareness bilang kanyang advocacy.
Nakaranas ng depresyon si Antoinette Taus dahil sa pagkamatay ng kanyang ina.
Umabot sa tatlong taon ang kondisyon ni Antoinette at unti-unti raw siyang nakabangon dahil sa suporta ng kanyang pamilya.
Inamin ni Joy Cancio sa kanyang 'Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho' interview na nagdulot ng depresyon ang kanyang pagkakalulong sa sugal at pagbagsak ng kanyang showbiz career.
Sinubukan daw ni Joy na kitilin ang kanyang sariling buhay ngunit nabigyan siya ng second chance kaya't naging aktibo raw siya ngayon sa kanyang church.
Sa 'Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho' rin inamin ni Janno Gibbs na nakaranas siya ng depresyon.
Upang tuluyang makabangon mula sa mental condition, humingi ng tulong sa propesyonal si Janno.
Dumaan din sa clinical depression ang former lead vocalist ng bandang Sugarfree na si Ebe Dancel.
Ibinahagi ni Ebe ang kanyang experience sa depression sa kanyang social media account kamakailan lamang. "My doctor once told me, it's like a fever. Something's wrong with your body, so take your meds. I believe her. I'm better because of her," saad ng singer.
Taong 2012 nang mapabalitaang palaboy-laboy sa lansangan ang aktor na si Soliman Cruz. Mahigit isang taon daw siyang nakaranas ng depresyon.
Dahil sa tulong ng kanyang kaibigan at ng asawa nitong psychiatrist, gumaling si Soliman sa kanyang clinical depression.
Umamin sa isang panayam ng isang entertainment website ang power-belter na si Jed Madela na dumaan siya depresyon. Sa katunayan nasa recovery stage pa rin siya diumano, pero laking pasasalamat niya na unti-unti nang bumubuti ang kanyang kalagayan.
Dagdag pa ng magaling na singer na nakaranas siya ng anxiety attacks, pero nalagpasan daw niya ang lahat nang ito sa tulong ng mga mahal niya sa buhay at pagso-social media detox.
Inamin ni Nadine Lustre sa Instagram na dumaan siya sa depresyon. Pahayag niya sa isang emosyonal na post, "I have days when I have to put a mask on, smiling, numbing myself from negative emotions, too often. I have already mastered the art of hiding it, I bet you never even noticed it."
Nagpasalamat naman siya sa kanyang pamilya at mga kaibigan sa pagsuporta at pag-unawa sa kanyang kalagayan. Aniya, hindi naman dapat itago ang depresyon at huwag mahiyang ilabas ang tunay na nararamdaman.
Ayon sa mga report, ang 16-year-old brother ni Nadine ay dumaan din sa depresyon na nagtulak sa kanya na kitilin ang kanyang sariling buhay. Ibinahagi ng aktres sa kanyang Instagram stories ang larawan ng semi-colon bilang simbolismo ng mental health and suicide prevention awareness. Ang ama naman ni Nadine ay nagpa-tattoo ng semi-colon sa kanyang kamay bilang pag-alala sa yumaong anak.
Taong 2013 pa lang ay inamin na ni Sarah Geronimo na nakaranas siya ng quarter-life crisis.
Noong April 2018, kumalat ang video ni Sarah kung saan nag-break down ang singer sa mismong concert nito sa Las Vegas. Habang kinakanta ang "Forever's Not Enough," napahinto siya at pumunta sa backstage. Humingi naman siya ng paumanhin sa kanyang audience at ibinahagi ang kanyang saloobin. Saad niya, "Ginusto ko pong maibahagi 'yung talento ko, pero hindi po pala ako handa dun sa mga kasama ng hiningi ko. Lalo na po 'yung pressure to always do good, maging role model ka, maging perpekto ka ... mahirap po. I've been asking myself 'Bakit I feel empty?' Hindi 'yong successful na shows or mga hits ang makakapagpakumpleto sa 'yo, ang makakapagpasaya sa 'yo bilang tao, kundi 'yung tunay na pagmamahal na hindi nagbabago--perpekto ka man o hindi."
Nagpakita naman ng suporta ang kanyang boyfriend na si Matteo Guidicelli. Short but sweet ang mensahe nito para sa Pop Star Princess na may katagang, "Keep walking, I'll always be beside you. No matter what. I love you my love. And I miss you."
Superstar Nora Aunor recently revealed she also suffered from depression.
Inamin ni Ashley Rivera sa kanyang interview sa 'Tunay Na Buhay' na dumaan siya sa depresyon dahil sa pang-aabuso ng kanyang ex-boyfriend. "Nag-start lang 'yang depression na 'yan when I got into a really parang toxic relationship with a guy. It was abusive... emotionally, verbally, sometimes physically," saad niya.
Umamin si Ice Seguerra na nakaranas siya ng depression at anxiety noong early 2000s. Aniya, kumuha raw siya ng professional help noon ngunit napagtanto na ihinito na lamang ito
Lumala raw ang depression ni Ice nang magbitiw siya bilang National Youth Commission chairperson at nagbalik showbiz. Aniya, “My latest trigger was my short stint sa government coz everything changed and it got worse when I resigned and went back to the industry I thought I knew. Suddenly, I felt like an outsider. Parang first timer na I had to navigate my way through things again."
Pagkatapos ng ilang taon, nagte-therapy muli si Ice at aminadong unti-unting nakakaramdam ng kasiyahan. Saad nito, “Bumalik ako sa doctor ko early this year and I'm glad I went back to her. I'm starting to feel things again. Mas na e-excite na ako ulit about life. Yes, there are moments na I feel sad but mas madalas na nakakaramdam ako ng saya."
Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach opened up in her recent vlog about not being able to know "who her true friends are."
In an interview with a showbiz website, Pia clarified that she is not suffering from depression.