Shuvee Etrata candid on criticism, owning past mistakes: 'I'm making better decisions'

Shuvee Etrata opened up about dealing with online criticism and how she has grown from past experiences, saying she is now making better decisions.

In an episode of BJ Pascual’s “Musings,” the Sparkle star spoke about the impact of hate comments on her mental health, admitting that she was initially overwhelmed by the sudden shift in public attention after gaining a large following on “Pinoy Big Brother.”

“‘Di na para mag-sugar coat pa ako. Oo, nakak-aapekto sila sa mental health ko,” Shuvee said.

[I won't anymore sugar coat. The comments really affected my mental health.]

According to Shuvee, her feed was mostly filled with positive comments, which shaped her early experience with fame. It was after her appearance on PBB, when she began receiving stronger waves of criticism.

“Nasanay ako doon, I banked on it, sa good compliments, sa good comments about me. And then after PBB, doon ko na nasalo ’yung mga bashing na mas marami pa palang tao,” she said.

[I got used to them, and banked on them — on the good compliments and good comments about me. It was after PBB when I started catching the bashing.]

Shuvee said she has since learned to detach from hurtful comments, focusing instead on her own growth and support system.

“Grabe rin pala ang bashers. Pero na-realize ko, nung una apektado pa ako, pero hala, kung saan kayo masaya, doon na lang. Kasi when you know your true self, ’di mo dapat piliin maniwala sa kanila,” she said.

[Bashers are something else. At first I was really affected but I realized, you need to choose where you are happy. Because when you know your true self, you shouldn't choose to believe them]

Shuvee acknowledged that being in the public eye means her actions now affect not only herself but also the brands and people who support her.

“Hindi na ako mag-isa ngayon eh. Kung mag-isa, I’ll take the hit. But if I get bashed, somebody is also taking the hit. And ’yun ’yung masakit para sa akin, kaya ako siguro naapektuhan.”

[I'm no longer just representing myself. If that were the case, I'll take the hit. But when I get bashed, someone else is also taking the hit and that's what hurts me — that's probably why I'm also so affected.]

She added that while some criticism can be harsh, she chooses to focus on self-improvement rather than negativity.

“I’m just really lucky na there’s no pretending for me. I was loved because I was myself. So doon lang na-realize ko, kung minahal ako kung sino ako, hindi na para mag-iba-iba pa ako para sa inyo. Bina-bash mo ako dahil sa mga nagawa ko before, i-bash mo na lang ako talaga kasi I’ve made bad decisions. However, I got better. I really believe I got better. I’m making better decisions, and walang perpektong tao. So I just need to be strong and have faith, nandyan naman si Lord eh,” she said.

[I'm really just lucky I don't need to pretend. I was loved because I was myself. And that's what I also realized. I was loved for who I am so I don't really need to change for them. I was bashed for what I did before — then bash me for the bad decisions I've made. But I got better. I really believe I got better. I'm making better decisions. And no one is perfect. So I need to be strong and have faith. God is by my side.] 

Shuvee and BJ recently worked on a photoshoot, which Shuvee said is among her "biggest dream collaborations." She called it a dream come true.

Shuvee is set to star in the upcoming Kapuso series "Master Cutter" alongside Dingdong Dantes and Max Collins.

— Carby Basina/LA, GMA News