Elijah Alejo opens up on struggles before landing 'Prima Donnas' role: 'Ako po 'yung breadwinner'

Elijah Alejo has opened up on the difficult times she experienced before landing her big break in the GMA Afternoon Prime series "Prima Donnas."

In an episode of "Updated With Nelson Canlas," the Kapuso teen actress said her family's financial situation was challenging at that time.

"Kumbaga ako po 'yung breadwinner so talagang nung wala pong pumapasok sa amin nun na work," Elijah said.

("I was the breadwinner so there was really no work coming in for us.")

"Talagang iniisip ko na hala, paano 'to? Paano 'yung school ko? Paano 'yung kakainin namin, paano 'yung gastos?" she added. "Paano babayaran 'yung rent?"

("I kept thinking, 'What are we to do now? How can I go to school? How will we eat, how will we pay for our expenses? How will we pay for rent?")

Elijah said she learned to think about how to survive at a young age, as she also had to support her mother.

"Hindi naman na po makakapagtrabaho si mommy kasi cancer survivor po kasi siya so talagang I only have me rin and umaasa rin po sa akin si mom," she said.

("Mommy can no longer work as she is a cancer survivor, so I really only have me and my mom depends on me.")

She said landing the role of Brianna in "Prima Donnas" was a huge blessing for her, because she finally had a regular income.

Now, Elijah got another break as she is currently starring in "Underage," another GMA Afternoon Prime series, along with Lexi Gonzales and Hailey Mendes.

"Underage" airs Monday to Friday at 4:25 p.m. after "Fast Talk With Boy Abunda."

—MGP, GMA Integrated News