Tara, G! star Zach Castañeda reflects on his path to acceptance after being raised in a broken family and losing his ‘yaya’ or nanny, who was second mom to him, to COVID.

As far as he could recall, Zach had a strong bond with his four elder brothers until their parents separated when he was four. Their home was suddenly empty. The brothers had to be split, with only Zach staying in their father’s care.

His parents’ separation left a terrible impact on him growing up. The absence of a maternal figure in his life somehow led to his being shy and distant. He yearned for a mother’s love.

Zach then credits his ‘yaya’ for being an instrument to fulfil that yearning. His nanny treated him like family, and of course, he treated her likewise. He turned emotional sharing how his nanny shaped him into the man he is today. “She was my guidance. She would always remind me what’s right and wrong. I really respect her for that. I consider her as my second mom.”

It was his ‘yaya’ who knew about his dream to become an actor. They were both excited when he received the offer to join the lead cast of Tara, G! Unfortunately, ‘yaya’ contracted COVID-19 and passed away a month before Zach started taping for the series. “I felt like I lost my mom again. Before I entered ABS-CBN, sinabi ko kay yaya, ‘Yaya, hintayin mo ako, makikita mo ako sa TV.’ Sayang kasi I was already there na, eh.”

He still has mixed feelings about losing his ‘yaya.’ But right now, he’s trying to move forward and face new challenges using the strength and lessons he got from her, especially on allowing himself to be more vulnerable.

Zach, who started as a commercial model and theater actor, plays Wil in the ‘barkada’ series Tara, G! Working with his friends and fellow RISE Artists helped him cope with the loss and somehow enjoy the experience in Benguet, where the fictional community “La Guerta” is set. He said they’re like family behind the scenes, and that the people of Atok made him appreciate life even more.

Catch Zach in Tara, G! with his reel and real-life ‘barkada’ Anthony Jennings, Kaori Oinuma, Vivoree Esclito, JC Alcantara, CJ Salonga, and Daniela Stranner.