From the traditional radio and television route to digital space, Ogie Diaz has traversed all corners of the entertainment industry.

Just like the earth, showbiz goes through inevitable tectonic shifts. But, how does he remain relevant across different platforms? He chalks it up to reinvention, “Kung ano 'yung uso, doon ako sumasabay. Kung ano ‘yung agos, doon ako sumusunod.” Well, his nose for showbiz news plays a part in his success, as well as authenticity and having the right motivation.

Chatting with Kapamilya reporter Doris Bigornia, Ogie flashbacked his family’s struggles in the ‘80s when they couldn’t even pay their monthly house rental fee of 550 pesos, “Lagi kaming pinapalayas tuwing katapusan ng buwan.” He remembers their landlord telling them, “Kung hindi kayo makabayad, lumayas na kayo. Ang daming naghahanap ng mauupahan.” This was the first match that sparked Ogie’s fire. He vowed to himself: “Someday hindi mo na kami mapapalayas kasi ‘yung bahay sa amin na.”

After finishing high school in 1992, he worked as the apprentice of Cristy Fermin, who made a way to grant him a salary advance. Ogie then used his money to provide his mom with a new home and slowly give her a more comfortable life. That explains why he’s deeply thankful to Cristy.

As the story goes, he has dreamed of entering the riveting world of entertainment since high school. “Nilalagay ko sa test paper ‘yung buo kong pangalan tapos nasa gitna ‘yung Ogie Diaz. Kumbaga, mina-mindset ko na na magiging Ogie Diaz ako someday.”

And to get closer to his goal, he worked his way to becoming Cristy’s assistant, or “alalay” as he puts it, because he wanted to become his mentee. “’Pag talk show niya, inaabangan ko lagi si Ate Cristy sa labas… Nagpakilala ako sa kanya na fan ako. Nag-umpisa ako bilang fan,” he recalled. “Fan ako ni Ate Cristy Fermin kaya tinrabaho ko na makilala ko si Cristy Fermin.”

“Tiga-bitbit ako ng bag ni Ate Cristy. Natuwa ako kasi first day pa lang, pinagkatiwala na niya ‘yung bag niya sa akin, eh kakikilala pa lang niya sa akin. Tapos, taga-kuha ng tubig. Inuutusan niya ako.”

Ogie, who was then earning 20 pesos per week, didn’t mind that being an “alalay” might sound too harsh for somebody with a high school diploma. “Siyempre, ‘pag gusto mong matutuong maggupit, makikipag-barkada ka sa manggugupit. ‘Pag gusto mong matutuong magsulat, makikipagkaibigan ako at sasama ako doon sa marunong magsulat.”

In fact, he enjoyed the process. He would be very observant, eager to learn the ropes of the entertainment world. “Ang ginawa kong kolehiyo, ‘yung industriya,” he believes that grit, and not only diploma, will determine a person’s success.

“Lagi kong sinasabi sa mga bata, ‘pag gusto mo ang isang bagay, matututunan mo, kasi, una, gusto mo, passion mo. Mabilis kang matututo.”

Seemingly overnight, he became a writer, then a talent manager and an actor-comedian.

Asked who inspires him daily, he mentioned his five daughters, and his wife of 20 years, Georgette del Rosario, who is now a vlogger as well.

“’Yun lang naman ang babaeg nagtiyaga sa akin. Siya kasi ang nanligaw kaya hindi ko binitawan,” he said of his wife. Ogie revealed that he was in a relationship with another girl when Georgette entered the picture. He told her about it, and her fierce response was, “Bakit ako hihinto? Kasal na ba kayo?” That’s when he knew that he couldn’t afford to lose her.

Family is Ogie’s motivation to work hard. He has five daughters but understands that they are growing up into each person. “Alangan naman bumili ako ng limang Barbie, eh ‘yung apat hindi naman nila gusto.” As a father, he prioritizes teaching them discipline and frugal living, which he believes are the bases of raising kids who aren’t spoiled. He doesn’t give them all their requests, especially material things, even though they have the money, “Kailangan ma-justify ko sa kanila kung bakit hindi nila kailangan ‘yun.”

Instead, he models generosity to them by sharing his blessings with foundations that he’s a part of. Ogie is a member of the Philippine Foundation for Breast Care Inc., more popularly known as Kasuso Foundation.

Since his youngest daughter, Meerah Khel, whom he considers a miracle child due to being born premature, survived through the help of “Dugong Alay Dugtong Buhay Inc.” five years ago, he has promised to be an active helper of the foundation once he becomes more financially stable. “Hintayin n’yo lang po ako makaraos, itatayo ko kayo ng opisina,” he once told its founder.

Ogie managed to fulfill his promise and is happy to announce that the organization remains adamant in its main objective to provide free blood to needy hospital patients.

Having gone through quite a journey in showbiz, Ogie is now in a season focused on giving back to God.

“Gawin mo kung ano ‘yung kalugod-lugod sa Kanya. Hindi naman natutulog si Lord. Nakamasid lang naman Siya sa atin.”

Play the video to watch this episode of “Tao Po” hosted by Bernadette Sembrano