Kapuso actress Shuvee Etrata tearfully looked back on her early struggles in Manila, admitting that she once reached a breaking point due to emotional and financial hardships.
In a candid conversation on Vice Ganda’s YouTube vlog, the former ‘PBB Celebrity Collab Edition’ housemate recounted her lowest moments in 2023, when she first moved alone to the city from Bantayan Island in Cebu, determined to chase her dream of becoming an actress and help lift her family out of poverty.
“Nagkaroon ako ng mental health issue, ‘yun ‘yung I was living alone. ‘Yun ‘yung struggle ko nu’ng una,” Shuvee confessed. “Yes, pinili ko siya. It was my decision, pero ang consequence nu’n, it was me having a hard time.”
At one point, she admitted feeling hopeless: “I’ve had, ‘Gusto ko na lang talagang mawala na.’ Kasi wala ng laman ‘yung bangko ko. Ano pang maibibigay ko. Five hundred nga lang hindi ko mabigay. ‘Yung hirap ko talaga noong unang year ko, ‘yun yung mga dinanas ko po.”
Being the eldest of nine siblings, Shuvee carried the weight of providing for her family, which became her driving force—but also her greatest source of pressure.
Amid her darkest days, Shuvee found strength and support from fellow ‘PBB’ housemate and actress Ashley Ortega. The two developed a deep friendship while working on ‘Hearts On Ice’, Shuvee’s first Kapuso series.
“Nu’ng dumating ka actually bebe (Ashley), ‘yun ‘yung time na tinulungan mo talaga ako mentally, kasi pa-give up na talaga ako nu’n. Tapos nu’ng dumating siya, ay kaya ko naman pala,” Shuvee told Ashley in the vlog.
In between tears and laughter, she added, “Kaya ko naman kumain sa kanya tapos bigay ko ‘yung sweldo ko sa pamilya ko.”
Shuvee credits Ashley for playing a huge role in helping her survive her first year in Manila: “She made me a better person po talaga. Kinaya ko ang buhay rito sa Manila because of her. If it weren’t for her, baka bumalik lang ako sa isla.”
Now a rising star in GMA Network’s ‘Sang’gre’, Shuvee continues to inspire many with her honesty, resilience, and unwavering love for her family.
