SB19's Stell opens up about life before fame, current love status, acting plans

Just in time for his 29th birthday, Stell of SB19 graced "Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho," where he talked about his life before fame up until the present days.

On Sunday's episode, Stell said that his singing voice had always been the same, ever since he was a kid.

The eldest child of his parents, Stell grew up in Las Piñas.

Growing up, he dreamed of becoming a dentist.

"Nu'ng bata ako, everytime na may umaalog po na ngipin, haharap po ako sa salamin, aalugin ko, aantayin ko po siyang dumugo. Tapos pagka-sobrang lala na nu'ng alog niya, tinatanggal ko po siya. Du'n ko po naisip na, 'Ah! Parang gusto ko ngang maging dentista,'" he said.

["When I was a child, every time I had a loose tooth, I'd face the mirror, wiggle it around, and wait for it to bleed. Eventually, I'd pull the tooth out myself. That's when I thought to myself that I wanted to become a dentist."]

But before he entered the entertainment industry, Stell experienced being a working student.

"Napanood ko po sa GMA 'yung K-drama na 'Baker King'. Pero nahirapan ako maghanap ng school kung saan ko po puwedeng gawin 'yun. So ang naisip ko na lang pong outlet for that is maging cook na lang po. So, nag-enroll po ako ng HRS, Hotel and Restaurant Services," he said, adding that he became a scholar.

["I used to watch the K-drama 'Baker King'. However, I had a hard time finding a school where I could learn to be a baker. The closest option was to become a cook, so I took up HRS—Hotel and Restaurant Services."]

"Nag-work po ako sa isang fast food chain. Aral sa umaga, trabaho naman po sa gabi. Pero kulang pa rin 'yung kinikita ko para masuportahan 'yung pag-aaral ko. So, sabi ko baka puwede pa akong kumuha ng isang sideline job. Nagturo naman po ako ng sayaw. After ng school, trabaho po sa gabi hanggang madaling araw," Stell added.

["I used to work at a fast food chain. I'd study in the morning and work the evening shift, but I still wasn't earning enough. So, I got a side job teaching dance classes. After class, I'd work until the wee hours of the morning."]

Unfortunately, he got exhausted, so he had to stop working.

His aunt, who is based in Japan, had him move with her so he could recover. He spent six months there, taking care of her aunt's kids.

And when he returned to the Philippines, he had the opportunity to audition for SB19.

"Minsan tinatanong kami anong sikreto bakit namin naaabot 'yung dreams namin. Pero bumabalik lang kami sa isang bagay na feeling namin bakit. 'Yun po yung feeling namin is sobrang nakaka-relate 'yung tao sa amin. Kasi when we make music, especially Pablo, talagang ginagamit niya 'yung experiences namin. Music is something na kahit iba 'yung language nu'ng kanta basta sobrang clear nu'ng message and nu'ng emotion, mararamdaman mo, e," he said.

["People would ask us how we were able to reach our dreams, but we feel that the main reason is that people can relate to us. When we make music, especially Pablo, we use our experiences. Music is a very special type of language that transcends barriers— you can feel the message and the emotions in it."]

Solo debut

On Friday, Stell dropped his solo single, "Room," which he called a "blossoming mystery."

According to the singer, before he finalized the concept of "Room," he first asked people what they first noticed when they saw him, and they responded that it was his confidence.

"Parang napaisip ako na parang baka nga ganu'n ang ginagawa ko na parang deep inside natatakot ako, natatakot ako mag-solo. Natatakot ako magperform mag-isa. Parang mayroong special room inside me," he said.

["It made me think: maybe that's who I am. Deep inside, I'm scared. I'm scared to try to become a solo artist. I'm afraid to perform on my own. It's like there's a special room inside me."]

Stell even taught Jessica Soho some parts of the choreography of his single.

Asked if it was true that he wanted to act in a horror film, he answered, "Gusto ko po. Gusto ko po. Gusto ko po ma-experience 'yung ganu'n."

["I really want to experience being part of a horror film."] 

With the annual Halloween special of "Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho" set to be launched on the big screen this year, Jessica Soho invited Stell to join "Gabi ng Lagim: The Movie," an idea Stell is also enthusiastic about. 

Jessica Soho even mentioned she would pitch the idea to the directors of "Gabi ng Lagim: The Movie." 

"Wala naman masama mag-try," Stell added. 

["There's nothing wrong with trying."]

Love life and his 'one call away' people

In a game prepared by the show, Stell answered some questions, including his status in the love department.

"Wala po eh. Kasi parang ang hirap po kasi magbigay ng time. I mean, nagkaroon na rin po ako ng mga past relationship before. Ako po kasi as a partner, parang gusto ko po may time ako lagi. Kasi ayoko na ayoko nung maghahati ako ng sobrang daming tapos hindi ko na siya mapapansin," he said.

["I'm not in a relationship right now because it's difficult to make time for one. I've been in relationships before. As a partner, I would want my significant other to always have time for me. I don't want to have a partner and end up not giving them enough attention."]

He was also asked who his "one call away person" was.

"Dalawa. Si Pablo at saka si Justin. Sila 'yung pinaka pagka may kailangan ako, sila dalawa agad ang tinatawagan ko. Pagka mayroon akong problem sila talaga," he said.

["I have two people I run to: Pablo and Justin. I call them when I have problems."]

And in celebration of his birthday, Stell was surprised by his proud parents, Jun and Mylene.

"Good job, anak," his mom said. "Kahit hindi naman naging SB19 si Stell, kahit po maging simpleng tao lang siya, basta mabuting tao lang po, we'll be always proud parehas po sa mga anak po namin."

["You did well, son. Even if you didn't become part of SB19, we'd still be proud of you because you've always been a good person."]

"Ang sa akin lang, tuloy mo lang, nak. Tuloy mo lang, 'yung mabuting ugaling ganyan," Tatay Jun said.

["Keep doing what you do. Continue being a good person."] —JCB, GMA Integrated News