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'Anak Ni Waray Vs. Anak Ni Biday' actors cast Barbie Forteza, Kate Valdez, Migo Adecer, Snooky Serna, and Dina Bonnevie open up about how they took care of their mental health during the pandemic.

Now that Anak Ni Waray Vs. Anak Ni Biday (AWAB) is back on GMA Telebabad with fresh new episodes, the cast and crew shared what they learned about keeping their mental health in check during their time at home amid the pandemic.

During AWAB's virtual media conference on January 14, the actors talked about how they got through quarantine with a strong mindset.

For Barbie Forteza, taking things one step at a time is key.

"I took it one day at a time, I used to think ahead pero since the pandemic may bagong announcement, hindi ko pinangungunahan para rin hindi ako ma-overwhelm," she said.

Kate Valdez relied on her family as her biggest support system.

She said, "Actually, hindi ko inexpect na puwede ko pala maramdaman 'yung mga ganoong bagay na minsan bigla na lang ako magiging emotional.

"Bigla na lang ako umiiyak sa mom ko, parang hindi ako okay pero wala naman akong problema.

"I guess dahil sa mga nangyayari ngayon, dahil sa mga balita about sa pandemic, and 'yung work na-stop.

"I'm happy na nandiyan 'yung family ko for me na i-guide ako and to talk to me, to support me and makinig sa akin.

"Kung ano bang mga weird emotions ang nararamdaman ko. I'm just thankful na buo kami ng family ko."

Keeping a strong faith is what kept Snooky Serna going during the pandemic, she said during the press conference.

"I held onto my faith, alam natin na there is a higher power, there is God, who is in control of the situation.

"I was in constant communication with my psychiatrist. Of course, my family and my loved ones.

"I'm thankful that my friends, my family, and my loved ones were all very supportive and I know they're going through the same problems as I am.

"We're all worried about the situation. But it kept me going, I had to be strong for my children.

"I have to be strong for my family, for my friends. And I took inspiration from them, na kung sila nakakaya nila, siguro ako rin kaya ko. Kailangan din kayanin ko ito.

"Lahat naman ng problema may katapusan ang I know that God will never forsake us, God loves us more than we love ourselves. I hope I'm not sounding preachy, but una sa lahat, I held onto my faith, knowing God is in control."

Dina Bonnevie emphasized the importance of positive thinking during the pandemic.

"It was only in the beginning that I kind of got scared.

"Una ko lang inisip na sana hindi mahawa 'yung mga anak ko, mga apo ko, but then after a while, I'm not trying to sound preachy, I think I'm firmly grounded na when you're with God, He will not forsake you.

"I did not focus on what we did not have, and naging focus ko is I'm so lucky na kahit may pandemya may sales pa rin 'yung negosyo namin.

"Kahit may pandemya nabigyan kami ng trabaho, may taping pa rin ulit, masuwerte ako at ealthy ako at walang nagkasakit ng COVID sa family namin.

"Nag-focus ako sa mga good things instead of looking at what I did not have.

"I focused on what I had. I was so happy because for the first time, sabay sabay kaming kumain sa bahay.

"Oo, napapagod ako sa kusina, pero gustong gusto ko 'yung feeling na no matter what nandito kami."

Lastly, for Migo Adecer, taking time off to let go of stress was truly helpful in getting back on track.

"Just a disclaimer, it's not that I don't like work or I don't appreciate it. It just so happened to be that when the pandemic hit I realized I really needed a break.

"A lot of people were tested on their mental health because they had too much time for themselves.

"For me, that was exactly what I needed, so I found solace on being alone. I could focus on myself, rejuvenate from all the stress I was harboring.

"I'm not thankful for the pandemic, but I'm thankful for the time I was able to reevaluate myself and heal," he said.

Catch all new episodes of Anak Ni Waray Vs. Anak Ni Biday on GMA Telebabad every week night at 8 p.m. starting January 18.