MANILA, Philippines - JM de Guzman gave a no holds barred interview on ABS-CBN's magazine show Rated K to open up about the drug abuse problem he had been battling.
The 29-year-old actor admitted that at first he actually thought taking illegals drugs was helping him become a good actor. He said, “Akala ko nakakatulong siya sa akin as a person, as an actor at first. Taking drugs parang gives me power."
De Guzman admitted he started using when he was 18 years old, “Parang na-excite lang ako na may something na di ko pa nagagawa. Eventually, kapag hindi na naano yung need mo na high, paiba ka nang paiba ng drugs. Nawalan na ng epekto, so parang naapektuhan ka na rin sa pag-iisip."
De Guzman later realized he had unresolved issues within himself, "Pero noong nag-rehab ako, nabuhay sa akin na I have issues since I was a kid. I was bullied before when I was really young, so wala na akong self-esteem and confidence at that time."
His showbiz career began in 2009 when he started getting cast in ABS-CBN teleseryes. De Guzman started with “Precious Hearts,” “Mula sa Puso” until he was given his biggest break in “Angelito: Batang Ama.” In the latter, the show was cut short and his character had to be killed because the actor’s condition was getting worse.
"Parang di ko na maiangat yung sarili ko. Wala na. Yung paranoia ko, hallucinations ko, di na ako makagalaw pag walang drugs.” The actor finally agreed to enter a rehab facility.
After 11 months, De Guzman finished the rehab and went back to making two hit projects — “That Thing Called Tadhana” and “All of Me.” But sadly, he had a relapse and went back to rehab. This time, he was forced to confront his issues and not take the easy way out again. De Guzman said, "Inactingan ko sila, pero di nakalusot sa kanila, so talagang naproseso yung issues ko sa loob, isa-isa."
Looking back, the Kapamilya star described how drugs took hold of his life, “So kukunin niya rin self-respect mo and yung pagmamahal mo sa sarili mo."
Now after 2 years, De Guzman is finally out and now in the aftercare stage of his rehabilitation program. He will still be asked for follow up check ups in the Self-Enhancement for Life Foundation. The Angelito star is beyond grateful that he is still being welcomed in the career he left behind. He said, “I don't think I deserve it pero sobrang thankful pa rin ako.”
Watch JM de Guzman full confession (video courtesy of ABS-CBN/Rated K):
Rumors of a “That Thing Called Tadhana 2” had been circulating after Angelica Panganiban posted a photo of them together.
— Sally, The Summit Express
 |
| JM de Guzman is thankful that he is still being welcomed back to showbiz, “I don't think I deserve it pero sobrang thankful pa rin ako.” |
The 29-year-old actor admitted that at first he actually thought taking illegals drugs was helping him become a good actor. He said, “Akala ko nakakatulong siya sa akin as a person, as an actor at first. Taking drugs parang gives me power."
De Guzman admitted he started using when he was 18 years old, “Parang na-excite lang ako na may something na di ko pa nagagawa. Eventually, kapag hindi na naano yung need mo na high, paiba ka nang paiba ng drugs. Nawalan na ng epekto, so parang naapektuhan ka na rin sa pag-iisip."
 |
| JM de Guzman started using drugs when he was 18 years old |Photo Courtesy: Facebook/JM de Guzman |
De Guzman later realized he had unresolved issues within himself, "Pero noong nag-rehab ako, nabuhay sa akin na I have issues since I was a kid. I was bullied before when I was really young, so wala na akong self-esteem and confidence at that time."
His showbiz career began in 2009 when he started getting cast in ABS-CBN teleseryes. De Guzman started with “Precious Hearts,” “Mula sa Puso” until he was given his biggest break in “Angelito: Batang Ama.” In the latter, the show was cut short and his character had to be killed because the actor’s condition was getting worse.
"Parang di ko na maiangat yung sarili ko. Wala na. Yung paranoia ko, hallucinations ko, di na ako makagalaw pag walang drugs.” The actor finally agreed to enter a rehab facility.
 |
| JM’s had a relapse while making “All of Me” and had to be back in rehab | Photo Courtesy: Facebook/JM de Guzman |
After 11 months, De Guzman finished the rehab and went back to making two hit projects — “That Thing Called Tadhana” and “All of Me.” But sadly, he had a relapse and went back to rehab. This time, he was forced to confront his issues and not take the easy way out again. De Guzman said, "Inactingan ko sila, pero di nakalusot sa kanila, so talagang naproseso yung issues ko sa loob, isa-isa."
Looking back, the Kapamilya star described how drugs took hold of his life, “So kukunin niya rin self-respect mo and yung pagmamahal mo sa sarili mo."
 |
| JM is thankful that he is again given a ‘third chance’ in showbiz | Photo Courtesy: Facebook/JM de Guzman |
Now after 2 years, De Guzman is finally out and now in the aftercare stage of his rehabilitation program. He will still be asked for follow up check ups in the Self-Enhancement for Life Foundation. The Angelito star is beyond grateful that he is still being welcomed in the career he left behind. He said, “I don't think I deserve it pero sobrang thankful pa rin ako.”
Watch JM de Guzman full confession (video courtesy of ABS-CBN/Rated K):
Rumors of a “That Thing Called Tadhana 2” had been circulating after Angelica Panganiban posted a photo of them together.
— Sally, The Summit Express
