Matt Lozano, Kokoy De Santos open up about mental health struggles, how they deal with bashing

Trigger warning: This article contains mentions of depression

Following the passing of Kuya Kim Atienza’s daughter, Emman, Boy Abunda took a moment to discuss the important topic of mental health with his guests, actors Matt Lozano and Kokoy De Santos, in "Fast Talk with Boy Abunda" Friday. 

During the episode, Matt and Kokoy opened up about their experiences with depression and how they cope with negativity and online criticism.

Kokoy shared that while he initially had not gone through it himself, he had already believed in the weight of mental health challenges after seeing people close to him experience them.

“Hanggang sa umabot na sa akin mismo, ako mismo–‘yung parang umabot ako sa point, Tito Boy, na na-depress ako nang walang dahilan. Na talagang ang hirap, Tito Boy, parang nilamon ka ng kadiliman and all,” he said.

Kokoy is grateful for his family and friends whom he can rely on.

Matt, meanwhile, recalled going through his own dark period. 

“Ang daming beses ko na rin po ito na-bring up na dumating din ako sa phase ng buhay ko ng depression at mental health. Nagkaroon nga ako ng bashing last time kasi nagulat ako doon sa isang headline, ‘Matt Lozano, gusto nang wakasan ang lahat.’ Pero matagal na kasi siya, 2016 pa. So, OK naman, nilabanan ko naman siya,” he said.

When asked how they handle hate and bashing, Matt said, “Sa akin kasi talagang binigay ko lahat kay God.”

He also shared a moment that changed his life while he was struggling.

“There was a time, Tito Boy, I was driving 100 kilometers per hour sa Congressional Avenue. Gusto ko nang ibangga ‘yung kotse ko sa sobrang lungkot. Pero bigla nalang may nag-pop up sa utak ko na, ‘Uy, may church pala dito.’ So, nag-u-turn ako. Punta ako dun sa church, doon ako natulog. Nag-pray lang ako,” Matt said.

For Kokoy, it is choosing to focus on what matters most.

“Kasi ‘yun ‘yung ano sa social media ngayon eh, parang lahat may say. Lahat may opinion. Parang hawak–’yung pagmamay-ari ka,”he said. “So, ako, Tito Boy, kung ano ‘yung nalalaman ng kaibigan ko, ng pamilya ko, do’n ako.”

Matt and Kokoy are part of “Bubble Gang,” which is celebrating its 30th anniversary.

The second part of the show’s anniversary special will air on October 26 at 6:10 p.m.

—Carby Rose Basina/CDC, GMA Integrated News