As we navigate through life, it’s inevitable for us to go through a variety of experiences and challenges that can help us not only in building our character but also in knowing ourselves better and deeper. And self-awareness is one of the most important things that can ever happen to us as it allows us, to assess what we should change, improve, or continue about our traits and way of living.

In this ent.abs-cbn.com exclusive content, several celebrities open up about the surprising things that they’ve discovered about themselves, may it be through their experiences and learnings as showbiz personalities or as mere individuals on this planet.

Let’s begin with BGYO Gelo who shared that the progress of their group’s career has reminded him that each one of us has our respective timelines. Thus, they must not be in a hurry to achieve the things that they also want to happen to them since, after all, life is not a race. Besides, having a good attitude and unwavering faith in God, in themselves, and in each other can take them further in life, too.

His fellow BGYO member Nate, on the other hand, had a relatively short response, imparting that everything that he and the boys went through in recent years is a testament that they can do anything as long as they “put 24/7 effort into it.”

Talented heartthrob Bailey May has quite a similar realization, sharing how being a performer taught him to just go on even though a performance appears difficult or impossible to execute.

With how catchy and relatable his smash hit “Dilaw” is, many hearts were certainly captured by it, including Maki himself. The process of writing and creating the chart-topping song made him realize that he could be his own “dilaw” without having to find out the real meaning and feeling genuine love from other people.

In a world where celebrities tend to be considered products for public consumption, KD Estrada firmly believes that “privacy is power.” The young singer-actor said how essential it is for the mental health of someone in the industry to keep their personal lives under wraps as long as possible.

“Tawag ng Tanghalan” hurado Nyoy Volante also opened up about his own experience confronting another challenge that being in the industry entails: intense pressure. He admitted that there was actually a point in his life when he almost quit showbiz because of the pressure and heartache he had experienced. But he eventually learned how to handle it, who to turn to, and what to do.

Far from the common misconceptions about her, Barbie Imperial confessed that she’s actually an empathic and friendly person who can be friends with anyone, regardless of their status in life.

In the two decades that she’s been in the industry, Frenchie Dy discovered that one of the secrets to longevity is being humble and getting along well with people whom she works with. Talent may fade someday, but not the kindness that you showed others.

Her fellow champion singer Jason Dy takes pride in sharing how he has been perseverant throughout his 10 years in showbiz, which he’s able to show through working really hard for the things that he wants to achieve. Actress-singer Alyssa Muhlach has the same discovery about herself, which was proven by her determination to kick off her singing career by releasing her debut single, “Paalam.”

She may still be young, both at age and in showbiz, but Angela Ken already knows how important it is to impose what she really likes for herself and be firm about it. The up-and-rising singer-songwriter wishes to be in control of everything she does, may it be in her personal life or her career.

Meanwhile, Loisa Andalio implied that it already sank in to her that she has already gone far in life, for she can now provide for her family in the past 10 years that she’s been in showbiz. Her fellow PBB alumna and “ASAP Natin ‘To” performer Maymay Entrata divulged how the painful and difficult things she went through in life contributed to who she is at present.

Although he has been part of the industry for decades now, it was only in recent years that Bayani Agbayani learned that he must read the entire script of every project that he does, not just his part. The actor-comedian realized that doing so is necessary to have full knowledge of whatever he’s doing in order understand where the character of his co-star is coming from, as well as to exude the exact emotions needed in the scene.

Despite her very tender age, “It’s Showtime” and “Goin’ Bulilit” child star Kulot already has a surprising discovery about herself, and that is how much she actually enjoys performing onstage and in front of a crowd.

Confessing that she used to not be business-minded before, “PBB Celebrity Edition 1” grand winner Keanna Reeves is now a full-time entrepreneur. She shared that the pandemic helped her realize how temporary showbiz really is, so she decided to start her own business.  

While he’s expected to just talk and deliver his spiels in every show or event that he graces, “PBB Gen 11” host Robi Domingo found out along the way that he could really listen, which is also essential in his job.

Happily married couple Luis Manzano and Jessy Mendiola amazingly shared in separate interviews how patient both of them actually are. The “Rainbow Rumble” host learned it through his career due to the plethora of uncertainties and possibilities that show business brings, while the Kapamilya actress developed it when she already got married and had a child.

The participants of the queer dating reality show “Sparks Camp Season 2” also opened up about the things that they discovered about themselves through it.

Seichi Ozaraga realized the “beauty of vulnerability,” or having no fear or inhibitions, in showing other people who they really are. Sharing the same realization is Kyle Adlawan, who discovered that he’s actually a “personal person,” as he found himself being able to relate to other people through being vulnerable with each other, which is something that he only got to do inside the camp.

An astrology enthusiast, Allan Pangilinan, believes that Saturn has returned to him now that he’s 29, as he noticed himself imbibing the characteristics he used to have, such as being funny and open, as well as unearthing the creative juices within him.

Being part of the show helped Miggy Ruallo discover his authentic self, which helped him embrace his femininity and made him unstoppable, while Universe Ramos realized that he actually falls fast and loves really hard.

Meanwhile, his experiences made Paco Laurel understand that he must be patient with himself since he’s a work in progress. Besides, he also should not hurry in attaining his goals and must put his focus only on the people and energy that will help him achieve them.

With whom are you able to relate the most, Kapamilya?