Ruru Madrid nearly quit showbiz for mental health reasons

With two upcoming shows, "Lolong" and "Running Man," on the agenda, Ruru Madrid is certainly among the Kapuso network’s most in-demand talents.

So it’s hard to believe that the actor once thought of quitting showbiz due to the state of his mental health.

In an episode of “Updated with Nelson Canlas,” Ruru opened up about 2019, when he first felt that maybe showbiz was not the right career for him. 

“Parang feeling ko kahit naman anong ibigay ko dito sa ginagawa ko, laging may masasabi at masasabi pa rin ang mga tao, and hindi pa rin nakikita 'yong efforts na ginagawa ko,” Ruru said.

That same year, when his rom-com series “TODA One I Love” wrapped, he was immediately given the opportunity to star in “Lolong.” Reality show “Running Man Philippines” was also in the cards for him. 

Ruru quickly went all-in for “Lolong,” enduring intense workouts so he can come in prepared for the shoot.

But then, “ang daming nangyari, nag pandemic.”

The 24-year-old said the pandemic was among the many triggers for his depression.

“So dalawa [yung shows na nakaplano] and then no'ng nag pandemic biglang 'ooops' hindi natuloy,” Ruru said.

But things still wouldn't go as planned, even when the world started to settle down. 

Ruru recalled Sanya Lopez being pulled out as a his leading lady and having to set up auditions. "And then kada mag-te-taping kami, biglang may re-revise sa script, mag-shu-shoot na dapat kami ng plug, biglang bumagyo. As in nasira 'yong studio, gano'ng level.”

He admits the two-year period became a source of insecurity.

“Doon sa two years na 'yon, nangangapa rin ako sa sarili ko na, ‘hala sila ang dami nilang ginagawang project, ako wala pa. Sila may trabaho, ako wala pa.'"

“So parang for me baka hindi nga ito 'yong bagay na para sa akin, kasi parang pakiramdam ko lahat ng mga bagay na malapit ko na makuha noon, unti-unti na siya nawawala ngayon.”

Thankfully, Ruru powered through the challenges in the industry he has grown to love.

Now dubbed the Kapuso Action-Drama Prince, he makes sure to trust the timing of his life and to understand that great things really take time.

“It’s not the destination, it's always the journey 'di 'ba? Sabi nga nila na parang kahit na gaano pa kaganda 'yong destination mo, kung hindi mo naman pinaghirapan or kung hindi mo nadaanan, hindi mo na-enjoy 'yan, hindi mo siya gano'n ma-appreciate e,” Ruru said.

“Hindi mo siya ganiyan titingnan and for me naniniwala talaga ako na may perfect timing para sa lahat ng bagay. Kung hindi pa yan para sa 'yo sa araw na ito, but for sure someday sa'yo 'yan. Someday ma-experience mo yan, someday dadating din yan sa'yo. So kailangan mo lang talaga ng patience and kailangan mong magtiwala sa sarili mo.”

“Lolong” premieres on July 4, and “Running Man Philippines” will start taping in South Korea. — LA, GMA News