How Ken helped ease Rita’s anxiety attacks during lockdown

Rita Daniela (left) and Ken Chan

One of the things Rita Daniela has been struggling with amid the COVID-19 pandemic is coping with the mental and emotional stress that comes with it.

Because her mother is undergoing treatment for breast cancer, the current situation leaves the GMA 7 singer-actress feeling more anxious than usual. And sometimes, it does get the best of her, she admitted.

“I can say that I’m one of those people having a hard time this season. There were moments my anxiety would become intense that I would just find myself crying out of nowhere,” she related in a recent video interview for the weekend variety program “All Out Sundays.”

“I would ask myself, ‘What’s happening? Is this real?’” she added.

It’s frustrating, she admitted, that she and her siblings couldn’t provide the kind of care they want for their mother because the pandemic has restricted their movement and impeded their jobs.

“I don’t want to see my mother having a hard time. We can’t help but feel that if it weren’t for COVID-19, we could have just continued working and made her life more comfortable. Unfortunately, the pandemic has limited our capability to do that,” Rita pointed out. “It’s one of my struggles.”

Nonetheless, Rita soldiers on.

“When I get anxiety attacks, I try my best to reach out to my friends and talk to them. I pray. That’s a big thing, because I believe that only God can take away our anxieties. It’s up to Him to provide what you need in life,” she said. “And true enough, praying has been helping me calm down.”

One such friend she’s thankful for is her screen partner, Ken Chan, who has been regularly checking on her.

“He has been texting me. And that’s sweet, considering that he’s known for taking too long to reply to messages,” Rita related, laughing. “But he became more active during the enhanced community quarantine. He would text me in the afternoon or very early in the morning, telling me how much he has missed me and working together.”

Daniela

And when the quarantine guidelines were eased later on, Ken paid Rita a surprise visit.

“We had time to hang out a bit, so we decided to shoot a vlog, which we have been wanting to do for a long time. And it was so nice of him to agree to have the video posted on my YouTube channel. It’s for the ‘RitKen’ fans,’” Rita said of the actor—whose partnership became popular because of the soap “My Special Tatay.”

Because of her mother’s situation, the Kapuso talent is still wary about resuming work outside.

“As much as we want to perform live again, we still have to choose safety, because the COVID-19 cases are still rising,” she said. “I don’t think it’s wise to work outside, and around many people. I’m aware that we’re still not ready.”

“All Out Sundays” returned on air on July 12 with its cast performing production numbers from their respective homes, either via Zoom or prerecorded videos. “This setup is challenging because it tests our creativity,” said Rita, who misses the thrill of performing live onstage.

She added: “I miss the pressure. The adrenaline is just different. I miss going to rehearsals with everyone, and seeing everyone participate.

“We have no other choice but embrace new ways of doing things. I’m thankful that I still get to do the things I love; that everyone’s open to new ideas.”

While it can be difficult for celebs to entertain and amuse other people when they themselves are going through a rough patch, the fans and their messages of support never fail to cheer them up.

“Their happiness is our happiness. Doble ang balik sa‘min. Knowing that we can make people feel better in our own way fuels us to do our jobs well. We’re here to help and encourage each other,” she said.