MGA KILALANG ARTISTA NOON, BAKIT NAWALA SA TAMANG PAG IISIP? GRABE PALA ANG KANILANG PINAGDAANAN!!

Many of us dare to enter the world of showbiz. Many of our fellow countrymen dream of becoming famous, gaining lots of fans, and living glamorous lives. But what many don’t know is that it’s not easy being in showbiz. Artists who get involved in controversies often lose projects, are forgotten by fans, and are left with heavy emotional burdens. Some of them suffer from extreme anxiety and overthinking, while others eventually lose their grip on reality due to depression, stress, and trauma.

For today’s video, we will get to know some famous celebrities who experienced mental health struggles. Some of them recovered, but others were completely consumed by depression, stress, and anxiety, ultimately losing their sanity.

First is Brandy Ayala.
A disturbing video circulated on social media showing a former actress and sexy star from the 1980s, now wandering the streets, seemingly mentally unstable. She was one of the so-called “liquor beauties” during the ’80s, known on screen as Brandy Ayala, with her real name being Remedios Estrada. Brandy rose to fame in the ’80s thanks to her beauty and physique. She starred in several films such as Bodyguard with Bong Revilla Jr., No Blood, No Surrender, and many others.

Like many stars of her era, her career slowly faded, and fans eventually forgot about her. She disappeared from the once-bright stage of fame. By 2021, Brandy was seen roaming the streets, talking to herself. When the video was taken, it turned out she had already been missing for a year. Thankfully, she has since returned to her family’s home in Tondo, Manila. Her life now is a far cry from her glamorous past—a nightmare for someone who once lived in the limelight.

Second is Anjo Damiles.
The COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines deeply affected everyone—celebrities included. Many lost their jobs and only source of income overnight. Anjo, a Kapuso actor, revealed that he went through severe depression during the height of the pandemic in 2020.

Thankfully, his family and faith in God helped him survive. He shared this in a virtual media conference for Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko Presents: Captain Barbie. According to him, June 2020 was the toughest:

“It’s hard to explain mental health… there was a moment I just snapped. I lost my mind. I was crying. I was lost. It’s hard to find yourself again.”

With help from a psychiatrist, medication, and prayer, Anjo slowly recovered. He now encourages people struggling with depression not to stop praying and to seek help. He later landed a role in First Yaya, which gave him a boost in morale and confidence.

Third is Iwa Moto.
Iwa Moto learned in 2017 that she had bipolar disorder with severe panic attacks and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Despite being happy today with her two children and partner Pampi Lacson, Iwa faced many challenges, such as her father’s death in 2009 and an annulled marriage.

The stress from these events led to her mental health diagnosis. She ignored the symptoms for years until her daughter Mimi was born in 2013. Her healing journey included forgiveness, peace, and confronting the pain with bravery, supported by her family.

She now encourages the public to remove the stigma around mental illness and urges those suffering to seek help from doctors, loved ones, faith, and true friends.

Fourth is Lovely Embuscado.
A finalist in Season 1 of Protégé (GMA-7’s talent search in 2011), she was known as the “Singing Cinderella from Tagum, Davao,” mentored by the Queen of Soul, Jaya. Lovely appeared in shows like Party Pilipinas, Magpakailanman, and The Half Sisters.

Sadly, Lovely and her parents later became homeless, living on the streets and relying on church donations. Her mother, Daisy, shared that they ended up deep in debt and that all of Lovely’s earnings had gone to paying it off. Due to extreme depression, Lovely was diagnosed with schizophrenia and confined to the National Center for Mental Health.

After nearly four months, Lovely was discharged and returned home to Baseco, Tondo, Manila, in 2020. She now receives monthly checkups. Former Protégé grand winner Krizza Neri helped find her and her family living on the streets and brought her to a doctor. A benefit concert was later organized to help with Lovely’s treatment and recovery.

These stories highlight the hidden struggles of celebrities behind the fame and glitter. They serve as a reminder that mental health is real, and even stars who seem to have it all can silently suffer. May we all learn to be more compassionate and understanding—not just toward celebrities, but toward anyone going through invisible battles.