Celebs recall their toughest trials in life

(Conclusion)

For a change, celebs are not plugging their latest projects nor are they clarifying show biz issues about them. In the spirit of Semana Santa, celebs open up about the cross they had to bear, and how they got back on track.

Beneath the glitz and glam, celebs are just like ordinary folk. Even if they have such charmed lives, celebs are not exempted from pain. It’s more tough for them because even when they are hurting, they are not allowed to let it show on-cam. As entertainers, they gotta grin and bear it. Trite as it may sound, the show must go on.

We all have personal “stations of the cross” in our journey. Whatever “station” you are at right now, may your day of resurrection happen soonest. A heartbreak could actually be a rebirth. Think of it as your heart’s way of hatching something new.

JOHN ESTRADA: My toughest calvary was when I went through depression. It was so isolating, I felt so alone and empty. But I learned that we have to focus on our day-to-day experiences.

Take one day at a time, take baby steps toward accepting the past, that we can no longer do anything about it and not worry about the future, either. Get help! We have all the tools now for our mental health. I am an advocate for mental health because I know a lot of people are going through the same thing (depression) and alarmingly, they’re getting younger.

And prayers, of course, and meditating on God’s word. Knowing and believing that no matter what our shortcomings are, His love for us is everlasting and unconditional. That  fact was a big comfort for me when I was lost. Bottom line is, we will all go when the time comes—no need to hurry. Just live for the moment and enjoy life to the fullest.

YAM CONCEPCION: The biggest trial in my life was  when I lost my grandpa and my dog, Hummer. It is not easy to cope after the death of a loved one. Mourning is the natural process you go through, and I am very blessed to have family and friends with me all throughout that tough time in my life. Prayers helped a lot. My faith in God is what keeps me going and believing that He will always protect me.

JESSY MENDIOLA: My biggest trial was when I was depressed because of all the negativity online. There’s still bashing until now. I learned to drown out the noise and focus on more important things.

PAOLO BALLESTEROS: I’ve always had  a positive outlook in life. I hardly dwell on the problems but instead, I look for solutions—changing the mindset on how to deal with it. With that said, my biggest calvary was, and will always be, the calvary of the heart. That’s because you can never tell your heart who to love. But my family, friends, prayers and questions … make me realize that the most important thing is to love myself more.

INA RAYMUNDO: God erased all my miseries in the past since I became a Christian. Opening old wounds might not be a good idea. The Lord renewed me. I am forever grateful to Him for my complete healing.