Vandolph Quizon on 'Home Along Da Riles' co-star Cita Astals: 'Hindi namin pinababayaan ang bawat isa'

Trigger warning: This article has mentions of bipolar disorder.

Vandolph Quizon has expressed support for his “Home Along Da Riles” co-star Cita Astals, who recently opened up about her mental illness diagnosis in an episode of Susan Enriquez's vlog.

In another “Kay Susan Tayo” episode released this month, the former child star said cast members of the show still consider Cita as part of the family.

“Alam mo tita, si Tita Cita, lagi kaming nandiyan for her. Nu’ng nag-start 'to ever since, sinama namin siya. Kasi alam namin 'yung pinagdadaanan niya,” Vandolph said.

[You know tita, we are always present for Tita Cita. We included her since this started because we know she was going through something.]

“Eh, pamilya din si Tita Cita. So hanggat pa paano, nandyan kami for her. So lahat ng ginagawa namin, sinasama namin siya,” he added.

[Tita Cita is family so we try to be there for her. In everything that we do, we include her.]

According to Vandolph, Cita is a very talented actress and an very intelligent person.

“She just needs someone to talk to. And we are here, the Cosme family, the ‘Home Along Da Riles family,’ is always here for her. At dala namin siya kahit saan kami magpunta,” he continued.

In his interview with the Kapuso journalist, Vandolph criticized some people who are making content off Cita content, in turn giving the actress a negative image.

“OK naman, ginagawan lang ng issue, ‘di ba? Parang, pinapakita lang na ganito siya, pero OK naman. Para naman magkaroon ng content, para naman magkaroon ng pinag-uusapan,” Vandolph said.

[Cita is OK, people are just making an issue out of it, right? It's like they're showing how she is just to have social media content, just to have something to talk about.]

“Alam mo naman ang social media… Tapos, pag-iinterbyuhin nila si Tita Cita, ‘Gusto mo ng pagkain?’ ‘Mag-usap tayo.’ Mga gumagano’n sa kaniya, parang mali eh, hindi tama 'yun eh. You're depriving the person, ‘di ba? Hindi niyo alam 'yung pinagdadaanan [niya],” he added.

[You know social media. They would interview her, ask her if she wants food in exchange of an interview. There are people doing that to her and it feels wrong. That's wrong. You're depriving the person, di ba? You don't know what she's going through.]

Vandolph made sure to debunk the rumors they are not helping Cita, saying, "Huwag ganu’n. Huwag nating hatakin ang tao pababa. Dapat lahat tayo dito sa nangyayaring sitwasyon ngayon, magtulungan pataas. Lahat tayo nagtutulungan at hatakan pataas. Lahat tayo may mga pinagdadaanan.”

[Not like that. Let's not pull each other down. In this situation, we should all help each other up. We should all push each other up, because we are all going through something.]

“But ito lang tatandaan ninyo na ang Home Along Da Riles family ay hindi namin pinababayaan ang bawat isa. 'Yun lang,” he added.

[Please remember, the Home Along Da Riles family care for each other. That's all.]

In May, Susan interviewed Cita, where she talked about her bipolar disorder.

"Dapat confidential yan, ako lang ang nagkamali," Cita said. "I was thinking people will understand but they don't."

Cita is best known for her role as Hilary in "Home Along the Riles."

From showbiz, she went into politics, and served as a councilor in Manila for three terms, before she tried to run again in 2016 as congresswoman for a party list.

Cita and Vandolph recently reunited for the “Home Along Da Riles: Da Reunion” movie.

The Philippines has several mental health hotlines and services. These include: DOH-NCMH Hotline: 0917-899-8727 and 02-7989-8727; Natasha Goulbourn Foundation Hopeline: 0917-558-4673, 0918-873-4673, and 02-8804-4673; and In Touch Crisis Line: 0917-800-1123, 0922-893-8944, and 02-8893-7603.

— LA, GMA News