The term depression became the hottest word for this month.
LJ Reyes was amongst those who gave her stand on the word.
Very recently, LJ played the role of a school teacher who had experienced depression.
“Kuwento siya ng isang teacher na nag-go through ng depression talaga. Kasi, sobrang daming nangyari sa buhay niya. Super challenging kasi sobrang dami talagang nangyari sa kanya. Hindi ko siya na-meet, e. Walang time na ma-meet. So si Direk Gina Alajar ang nag-direct. Siya na lang ang nag-eexplain sa akin.”
“Iba raw kasi talaga kapag depression, iba ang attack talaga. Kasi ako, hindi ko naman alam ang feeling ng depressed ka. Like ako, nalulungkot ako, oo. Pero ang depression, it’s another kind of pain. Hindi ko sure kung tama ang ginagawa ko, talagang nagre-rely lang ako sa instruction ni Direk Gina. Mahirap, e. Wala akong 100% knowledge ng depression.” LJ admits she had gone through ups and downs.
Fortunately, she haven’t depression.
“Wala pa namang ganun, I don’t know… siguro talagang hindi ko pa maintindihan ang depression. So ayokong i-tag ang sarili ko or i-claim na I am depressed, ayoko nun. Kasi, hindi ko pa naman talaga naaunderstand fully.”
And she never thought of taking her own life because of what had transpired in her life.
“Hindi e, hindi talaga. I think, isa rin yun sa ipinagpapasalamat ko. Kasi siguro, talagang malaki yung takot ko kay God na hindi ko naisip man lang na gawin yun. Nagpapasalamat talaga ko sa guidance Niya sa akin, sa buhay ko. Nararamdaman ko na He’s really there.”
As of now LJ is busy with her mommy Application MAPP she is also into launching a Smart Phone.
“Nagke-carry na ngayon ang MApp ng isang smart watch for kids na very helpful sa parents. Align din naman sa talaga with what we really want our brand to become. Parang we want to aim practical parenting, practical and effective parenting. Hindi pa namin nalo-launch pero they can order sa site namin.”
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KAPUSO actor Martin Del Rosario will no longer be seen on November 18 for the Bench Underwear Fashion Show dubbed as “Under the Stars”.
The actor is no longer an endorser of the said brand. Martin was among those who were aplplauded by the audinece for the 2014 Bench Body:The Naked Truth fashion show in 2014.
“Marami ang nagtatanong sa akin kung ano raw ang magiging pasabog ko sa Bench fashion show. Sinabi ko na wala ako sa fashion show kasi I’m no longer with Bench. But it’s okay kasi na-experience ko naman na how it feels to be part of a fashion show like Bench back in 2014.
“Kung ano ang naipakita ko noon, hindi naman iyon makakalimutan agad ng maraming nakapanood sa akin. Isa iyon sa pinaka-daring na nagawa ko sa career ko and okey na ako doon. Happy ako na marami akong napasaya that night.”
This time, the actor wants to prove that he can do better than disrobing.
“Yun naman po ang gusto ko, yung makilala ako as a versatile actor. Yung kahit na anong role na ibigay sa akin, kaya kong gawin.
“Like itong ginagawa naming episode for Stories For The Soul, it’s a modernized version of the Bible parable na The Prodigal Son. I play the obedient son at si Jeric Gonzales yung pasaway na anak. Our father is played by Juan Rodrigo.
“Bata pa lang ako, alam ko na ang story na ito kasi they teach Bible stories sa Christian Living classes. Natuwa naman ako na I get to play one of the characters in one of the well-known parables in the Bible.
“Maganda ang pag-modernize nila ng kuwento, but still faithful to the story and the message,” diin pa ni Martin.
After Mulawin vs Ravena Martin will soon be seen in “Hindi Kita Iiwan” which will be topbilled by Yasmien Kurdi and Mike Tan.
“It’s all about HIV. Yung character ko rito, siya yung masama. Noong malaman niyang may HIV siya, marami siyang hinawaan na mga tao.
“Ganitong role ang gusto kong gawin kasi malaking challenge para sa akin. Talagang magagamit ko yung mga napagaralan namin sa mga acting workshops.”
Martin was also proud playing a gay role in the current episode of “Magpakailanaman”.
“One of the best roles na nagawa ko ay yung episode sa Magpakailanman, kunsaan gumanap kami ni Inah de Belen na isang LGBT couple. Ako yung gay at si Inah yung tomboy.
“It’s the first time kasi na gumanap ako sa ganung klaseng role. Tsaka yung preparation ko for the role, ibang klase.
“They had to wax parts of my body kasi sobrang balbon ako. Especially dito sa arms, chest at legs. Hanggang ngayon nga po, nangangati ako kasi tumutubo na siya. First time kong magpa-wax. Mahirap at masakit pala.
“Then I have to wear makeup and a wig. Yung prep namin dun took hours. Doon ko lang na-experience na matagalan sa makeup table. But it was all worth it kasi ang ganda ng mga natanggap naming reviews for that episode.”
He is also willing to do more indie films to do various kinds of roles. In 2014 Martin won for himself the Best Supporting Award for “Dagitab” in Urian Awards.
He played the character of a student who had an affair with his teacher.
“Mga edgy roles na ganun ang gusto kong gawin. The more complicated role, the better para sa akin. Dito kasi sa business na ito, minsan ka lang makakatisod ng isang magandang role and you better grab that opportunity.
“Matagal na rin akong hindi nakakagawa ng bagong film. The last one I did was noong 2016, yung Manananggal sa Unit 23B, with Ryza Cenon. I am hoping to do more movies na mate-test nang husto ang pagiging aktor natin,” he narrates.
