Alden Richards opens up on his dreams before becoming an actor

Alden Richards opened up on his dreams before becoming the successful actor that he is today.

In an interview with Paolo Contis in #JustIn, the Asia's Multimedia Star said he initially wanted to be a pilot.

He gave up on it because the training to become one is expensive, and thought of another dream instead.

"Growing up as a probinsyano, di ba, parang sa probinsya, sundan 'yung yapak ng tatay mo," he said. "So kung ano 'yung tatay mo, 'yun ka rin."

"General manager siya ng isang hotel. Sabi ko 'yun ang ultimate dream kasi 'yun lang ma-afford e so manager lang din ako."

It was his late mother who dreamed of seeing Alden on television.

"Telenovela sa GMA, gusto, gustong niya 'yung Marimar," he said. "Gusto daw niya ako makita sa TV na sumakay ng kabayo."

Sadly, Alden shared that even though it was his mom's dream for him to be on TV, she didn't even see his first play in school.

"Not even 'yung unang play ko sa school kasi bedridden siya. I was fourth year high school. Unang pageant ko, unang commercial ko, wala."

Alden said he has moments where he thinks about all the things that his mom did not get the chance to see him achieve.

"Madaming what ifs na sayang. Sayang na kung sino man 'yung tao na nangarap nito sa 'yo, siya pa yung di nakita," he said.

Even so, he tries to think about the positives in his situation.

"'Yung bright side, ano ba lagi 'yun? 'Yung silver lining, 'yan ang hinahanap ko lagi," he said. "'Why are you here? Ano bang purpose ko? Ano bang magagawa ko? Ano bang silbi ko sa buhay ng mga tao sumusuporta sa 'kin? Kasi that's what really matters," he said.

Alden has been sharing his blessings now that he has become a household name in Philippine showbiz.

The "Start-Up PH" star set up the AR Foundation and has been giving scholarships to students in need. He also launched the Myriad Esports Cup to support the esports community and help more students finish their studies.

—Kimberly Tsao/MGP, GMA Integrated News