Weighing in on the Sarah G dilemma

Sarah Geronimo

Fame is a prize that comes with a price. Sarah Geronimo’s breakdown at her Vegas concert only goes to show that superstardom can be cruel at times. The pressure to please your fans, stay on top, and to outdo and reinvent yourself are in the job description of celebs. Even if they’re ready and willing to do all that, there comes a point when they’re unable to do so.

Although they seem larger-than-life to their fans, celebs don’t have superpowers, after all. Since they lead such charmed lives, we tend to forget that they are “real people,” too. Amid their frenzied schedule, celebs ought to get away from the maddening show biz circus once in a while, lest they self-destruct.

What good would their hard-earned millions be if celebs can’t have time well-spent with their loved ones, anyway?

For this forum, stars share their “burnout” stories:

Vilma Santos

VILMA SANTOS: In my 50 years in show biz, there were many times when I wanted to give up. Back in the day, I would shoot three movies at the same time, aside from my weekly TV show. When I felt burned out, I made a disappearing act. I would just take off and go to Baguio, or any place where I could get away from it all.

While I stood on the edge of a mountain, I shouted and cried it all out. I would be gone for three days, which was admittedly quite unprofessional. But I had to go away because I was dead tired and overworked. But as I matured, I mellowed. I began to think of the other people I worked with and not just myself. We all need to take a break every now and then.

Ogie Alcasid

OGIE ALCASID: I don’t think I’ve ever experienced a burnout. I believe we just had a different experience from the stars of today. I truly love what I do, and I enjoy every minute I get to perform. We did not have social media then, so the pressure wasn’t the same. If at all, there were times that I felt empty, I had no other answer but the Lord almighty.

Richard Yap

RICHARD YAP: I was in the corporate world when this happened. I had no motivation to go to work, and I felt that my job was a dead-end, coupled with the fact that I was working with unethical people. I just did my best to fulfill my duties and not do more than what was
expected since it wasn’t appreciated, anyway.

Since I didn’t want to continue being in that kind of environment wherein I felt I was underutilized, I started exploring other opportunities and careers, which was what brought me to show biz.

John Estrada

JOHN ESTRADA: I felt burned out numerous times through the course of my career. Not a lot of people know the constant pressure actors are in. But you just have to find your center and your motivation to continue, then work even harder. My kids, my family—they’re my constant. I always feel motivated and inspired when I think of them.

Extended reign for ‘The Lion King’

Due to rave reviews and high demand from the public, Disney’s “The Lion King” has extended its Manila run until May 27 at the Theatre at Solaire. Catch the stage musical that got Pinoys roaring for more (call 891-9999).