Garrett Bolden reveals losing chance at 'X-Factor UK' due to lack of funding

Garret Bolden reveals succumbing to depression after he lost a golden opportunity at the British reality TV music competition, The X-Factor UK.

Garret touched on how he has learned to strike a balance between chasing dreams and waiting for the right timing when he met with bloggers to talk about his second single, “Handa Na Maghintay.”

IN PHOTOS: At Garret Bolden and Mirriam Manalo's bloggers' conference

The Clash alumnus explained that while his song is about unconditional love, it can also speak of other moments when what can only be done is to have faith and wait.

First, he recalled longing for the chance to finally meet his father.

Garret said, “18 years old ako nung na-meet ko siya. It was a long process po ng paghahanap. Naghihintay ka lang, minsan walang means of looking for him, hindi ko alam kung nasaan or hindi ko mahanap. Pero dumating bigla ‘yung time, bigla-bigla nagkaroon kami ng communication. So that’s one thing na hinintay ko talaga nang matagal.”

The other time he had to wait was getting the next big opportunity for his music career.

He claimed, “Of course itong career na ito. It’s something na I’ve been wanting since I was young.”

READ: Garrett Bolden and Mirriam Manalo fulfill dream in release of new singles

According to Garret, he saved up all his talent fees from his gigs abroad to fund his international auditions. He had tried his luck in joining American Idol, The Voice US, and The X-Factor UK.

He admitted, “Talagang pumupunta po ako, nagpapasa ako ng video. Maraming times po na nakakapasa ako sa first round like ‘yung sa X-Factor UK po.

“Na-depress ako nun kasi nakapasok pala ako ‘yung sa judges kaya lang po nung nag-audition ako, dahil may return ticket ako, umuwi muna ako. Akala ko parang ipapatawag ‘di ba after. ‘Yun pala parang kasi ni-clear nila kung meron akong tinirahan doon, kino-contact nila ‘yung number, eh di syempre un-attended, eh Philippine number ‘yung naibigay ko,” he added

Garret was eventually told that he can join the next season without going through auditions. However, he no longer had the means to do so.

“Wala na pong funds.. hindi na po ako nakabalik. Tinanggap ko na lang na hindi po para sa akin,” he said.

Despite, he continues to work on his dream.

Garret shared, “Mahilig po kasi akong mangarap eh. Siguro ‘yung hindi pa dumarating na hinihintay ko is ‘yung meron na akong at least 10, 15 albums out. Ganun karaming songs na naririnig ng ating mga Kapuso.

“Albums, concerts. Gusto ko rin po magkaroon ng international exposure. Maipakilala sa mundo na ang Pilipino... although marami na po tayong mga Pinoy na known internationally, gusto kong sumama doon sa ganoong recognition na magbibigay ng [pride] sa mga Pilipino," he concluded.