Ruru Madrid shares promise to support his family
Now that he's made a mark in showbiz as an action drama prince, Ruru Madrid is more humble than ever as he celebrates his 10th year in in the industry.
The Lolong and Running Man PH actor narrated the hardships and lessons he faced that led to many realizations.
In a sit down interview in Toni Gonzaga's vlog, Ruru looked back on how he got into showbiz.
Ruru shared how his former model parents motivated him to audition for commercials. His mother would do his hair and makeup and dress him up with bargain finds from tiangge while his father would borrow a motorcycle they can use to go to auditions. Ruru and his dad would go to auditions on a borrowed bike even in the pouring rain, only to get rejected later.
He eventually got discovered by director Maryo J. de los Reyes at a birthday party which led to him audition and get accepted in the television reality show Protégé when he was 14 years old.
"I started when I was 14 talaga noong nag-audition na talaga ako," Ruru narrated.
At first, he saw acting as a way to help provide for his family, but eventually, he found his passion for the craft.
"Gusto ko lang maiahon sila sa kahirapan, matulungan ko mga kapatid ko.
He eventually got a major role in Encantadia 2016 as Ybarro/Rama Ybrahim, originally played by Dingdong Dantes in the 2005 version of the fantasy drama.
"Everyone was saying, 'You're gonna be the next Dingdong Dantes'--lahat ng 'yon pumapasok sa utak ko," Ruru admitted.
He later on experienced a decline in his fame after his launch to stardom.
"After ng 'Encantadia,' may mga ginawa akong projects pero parang pakiramdam ko hindi siya nag-wu-work.
"Parang hanggang dito na lang 'yung career ko. Pinu-push ko sarili ko sa limits ko pero walang nangyayari.
"Nung time ng 'Encantadia' parang lahat ng tao nakatingin sa akin pero after noon parang wala na...parang dumaan lang.
"Somehow, pinaramdam sa akin ni God na sumobra ka doon, kailangan mo ibaba sarili mo, hindi ka ganyan.
"After 'Encantadia,' natapos kami ng 2016--simula noon nag-struggle ulit ako.
"Pinatunayan ko ulit sarili ko, nag-workshop ako, hindi ako tumigil, hanggang sa dumating 'yung 'Lolong.'
When he landed the main role in the drama Lolong, he knew he had to prove he's better than before.
"Parang lahat ng bagay na puwedeng magpasuko sa amin, binubuhos na sa amin," Ruru said, describing the difficulties he faced.
Despite the three year delay, the whole Lolong team made it to airing in 2022.
"Sobrang sarap sa pakiramdam kapag nakikita ko 'yung sarili ko na ginagawa ko 'yung sarili kong stunts.
"Ang sarap lang sa puso, I can't help but feel emotional kapag pinag uusapan 'yung Lolong kasi iba 'yung hirap na pinagdaanan--hindi lang po ako, I mean sa lahat ng mga tao na bumubuo kasi lahat kami kumapit.
"I realized na kailangan ko siyang pagdaanan so hindi ko i-take for granted kung ano 'yung meron ako. Maybe 'yun 'yung nangyari sa akin before noong Encantadia.
"Kasi parang ang bilis ng lahat ng pangyayari. Lahat pumapasok sa utak ko lang na wala akong hirap na nararanasan. So now na dumaan muna ako sa hirap at pagod at pagsubok--hindi ko hahayaan na mawala ito. Hindi ko hahayaan na lahat 'yan pumasok sa utak ko.
"Ngayon mas magiging humble ako, mas mamahalin ko kung ano 'yung meron ako. Mas na-appreciate ko 'yung mga bagay na meron ako ngayon.
Ruru then recalled a time when he was at one of his lowest points, a time in his life he would never forget.
"Naalala ko may time na kasama ko 'yung dad ko, papunta kami sa audition, gutom na gutom ako. Sabi ko, 'Gusto ko ng french fries' and then chineck niya 'yung wallet niya--hindi aabot 'yung fries.
"Naalala ko sabi ko sa kanya, 'Da, hindi na mauulit 'to...promise ko sa'yo hindi na mauulit ito. Na kapag bibili tayo hindi natin kayang bilhin kahit sobrang simple lang at mura lang.
"Sinisigurado ko sa sarili ko, I pray every single night, pagpapanata ko na gagawin ko lahat ng makakaya ko para lang mabili ko 'yung gusto ng pamilya ko.
A teary-eyed Ruru recalled getting locked out of a rented house. "Nakita ko kinakandaduhan kami ng bahay. Iniiwan 'yung mga gamit namin, hindi namin alam saan kami matutulog.
"Ngayon na nandito ako sa ganitong posisyon na ako 'yung breadwinner ng pamilya ko. Hindi ko na hahayaan na umabot kami sa point na ganoon na makita ko 'yung parents ko na nahihirapan.
When asked what makes him most proud, Ruru answered, "I'm just proud sa lahat ng pinagdaanan namin at nalampasan namin, hindi ko masasabi na proud lang ako sa sarili ko. Kasi tinulungan ako ng pamilya ko, sila 'yung naging gasolina ko para makayanan ko itong mga 'to."
MEANWHILE, CHECK OUT RURU MADRID'S STYLISH PHOTOS IN KOREA:
