- Chito Miranda shared an inspiring story to quit smoking.
- He quit smoking for Neri and their son, Miggy.
- He is encouraging heavy smokers to be stronger than the cravings.
In a lengthy Facebook post, Chito Miranda shared his journey to quit smoking. He admitted that it would be hard at first but he overcame. He shared that he started smoking at a very young age. Chito also confessed that he only did it to look like a cool kid.
Smoking suddenly became normal for him when he stepped in as a sophomore in high school.
Chito admitted that as a junior in high school, he would buy packets of cigarettes. Then, at that point, it went on and on.
“Nag-yoyosi pala ako dati hahaha!
I started smoking nung Grade 6 ako. Subok subok lang para cool kunyari. Tapos medyo dumalas nung 2nd year highschool dahil kay Buwi hehe! Magtatago kami sa gilid ng chapel sa tabi ng bahay nila tapos magyoyosi lang kami dun habang nagkukwentuhan. Pagpatong ng 3rd year highschool, nagsimula na akong bumili ng sarili kong pack at mag-yosi araw araw. Dun na nagtuluy-tuloy. That was 1992.”
Chito confessed that he felt relieved when he would finish a cigarette and he would rely on it on many occasions. He also shared that he didn’t care about his health at the time.
“Sobrang sarap mag-yosi habang umiinom, after kumain, sa backstage habang naghihintay sumampa, habang nagsusulat ng kanta, habang nagrerecording, etc.
Sa katunayan (at alam ng mga kabanda ko ‘to, pati ng mga sound engineers namin), na di ko kayang kumanta ng maayos ng hindi naka-yosi. Ang normal process namin during recording was, kakanta muna ako paulit-ulit para aralin yung kanta at yung delivery ng vocals, and once alam ko na kung paano ko gusto kantahin yung song, mag-yoyosi ako sandali, tapos pagbalik ko sa vocal booth, sakto na yung timpla at quality ng boses ko.
Wala akong paki sa health ko at ok lang sa akin na mamatay ng maaga. Rakenrol eh.”
Chito decided to change in 2014. He also wanted to cut down on smoking because he cared about his throat only smoked when he had a gig. Chito also let people know that when he had no gig, he wouldn’t smoke. After a year of that, he found a more worthy reason why he would quit smoking.
“Pero 4 years ago, I decided to cut down because I realized na kahit enjoy ako mag-yosi, mas enjoy ako tumugtog, kaya na-isip ko na mas alagaan ang sarili ko, and more importantly, my throat. Puff puff nalang ng konti bago kumanta sa gig or sa recording, para lang lumatag ng maayos ang boses ko, pero pag walang gig, no yosi whatsoever.
But a year after that, I found a bigger purpose…a more important reason to be healthy. Mas importante pa sa pagbabanda at sa timbre ng boses ko.”
Chito and Neri got married and started a family. He totally stopped smoking to avoid contaminating the baby. He also shared that he decided to live as healthy as possible for his family. Chito admitted that it would be hard at first. However, he overcame the obstacles.
“Kinasal ako and started a family. Tinigil ko ng todo ang paninigarilyo nung pregnant si Neri kasi ayoko ma-contaminate yung baby namin hehe! And nung lumabas si Miggy, nag-decide ako to live as healthy as possible, kasi gusto ko ma-alagaan ng todo ang pamilya ko hanggang sa pagtanda.
Medyo nahirapan ako kumanta nung simula, pero pinanindigan ko at sinanay ko yung sarili ko na kumanta nang hindi naka-yosi. Eventually, nasanay din ako, at ayun…pangit pa rin boses ko. Wala naman yatang nakapansin hahaha!”
Chito encouraged heavy smokers like him to be stronger than the cravings.
“You simply need to be stronger than your cravings, and remind yourself why nag-quit ka in the first place.
Cheers!”
