Nelson Canlas recalls his mom telling him: 'Huwag ka na mag-journalism kasi walang pera diyan'

Although Nelson Canlas and Aubrey Carampel are now two of the country's top showbiz journalists, it took a long and winding road to get there.

In an interview on "#JustIn" hosted by Paolo Contis, the two shared the adventures that got them to where they are now.

Nelson shared that he is the eldest in the family, and his mom and younger siblings have been based in the United States since he was 17.

Nelson was a marketing student in college because his mom wanted him to be a businessman. However, Nelson said that he has always wanted to be a writer as a big fan of news programs.

"Sabi ko ano eh, gusto ko sa TV," he said. "I've always wanted to be a writer. Mahilig ako manood parati ng news tapos 'yung mga [talk shows like] 'Eye to Eye.'"

"Sabi ko, I want that kind of work. Pero sabi ng nanay ko, 'Huwag ka na mag-journalism kasi walang pera diyan. 'Wag ka nang mag TV. Wala tayong kilala,'" he added.

Nelson said he didn't pursue journalism right away and that "ang dami kong dinaanan nun eh."

Nelson also studied computer programming for two years at De La Salle University because his mom said it was an in-demand job.

"Hindi kasi uso sa amin noon 'yung ano eh, kung ano 'yung passion mo, what are you going to be happy about," he said. "Sa community namin dati, the community I grew up in, mas matriarchal. [Eh since] nanay ko 'yung nagsusustento sa 'kin nun, siya 'yung nasusunod.'"

When Nelson finally started working for television, his mom still wanted him to follow their family and work in the States.

"Kasi ang kapatid ko merong locksmithing business eh, sabi ko hindi ko kayang gumawa ng ganyan, so gagawin ko na lang 'to," Nelson said. However, his mom said, "Bahala ka. Sige, you're on your own."

Nelson followed his passion and worked toward what he wanted, and his mom is very proud of him.

"Kasi pag hindi ako nakikita ng nanay ko sa TV tumatawag eh, 'oh, wala kang storya?'" he laughed. "Isang araw lang ako mawala sa GMA, 'Nasa GMA ka pa ba?'"

On the other hand, Aubrey admitted that she never dreamed of being a reporter. She was passionate about theater and even underwent workshops in PETA.

But when Aubrey wasn't allowed to study theater in college and pursue acting because it would not provide a high income, she went on a similar path by taking up communication arts.

Before journalism, she was working in a call center. But then, her mom asked her, "Wala ka bang pangarap?"

She saw a GMA hiring announcement for an entertainment correspondent and submitted her resume. While at the call center, she passed the first round and was called for an interview.

Aubrey recalled seeing a long line at the building and that there were cameras.
It was actually a reality show for QTV called "May Trabaho Ka," where contestants carry out tasks and compete for a job.

"Hindi ko alam na show pala siya," she said. "Ayoko nang ganun, ayoko ng reality show."

But since Aubrey was already absent at the call center, her older sister encouraged her to give her all, and even did her makeup.

At the audition, Aubrey was tasked to know about showbiz happenings. "Eh wala naman akong alam sa showbiz," she said.

"Nanghiram ako ng diyaryo sa katabi ko, ano diyan sa tabloid. Nakita ko Rochelle Pangilinan, Sexbomb. Ganyan, ganyan. Di ko alam."

Aubrey passed the audition, which she knows is because of her skills. She eventually won "May Trabaho Ka" and then started working in the newsroom.

Nelson Canlas and Aubrey Carampel's full interview on "#JustIn" are now up on Sparkle GMA Artist Center's YouTube channel.

—Nika Roque/MGP, GMA Integrated News