Actor Oyo Sotto opened up about his past struggles with substance abuse, infidelity, and other vices during an episode of the family YouTube show House of D, released on November 7.
peaking alongside his mother Dina Bonnevie, sister Danica Sotto, brother-in-law Marc Pingris, and wife Kristine Hermosa, Oyo detailed a difficult period in his youth that led to financial collapse and personal crisis.
During the discussion on honesty and integrity, Oyo shared that he was once “corrupted” by various vices, including drugs, alcohol, smoking, and womanizing.
“Sinungaling ako, nambababae, nagda-drugs, umiinom, nagsisigarilyo… kung anu-ano,” he said.
Oyo recounted reaching a point where he had only ₱2,000 left in his bank account.
“’Tiningnan ko yung ATM ko, two thousand pesos. Sa kakainom, kakabili ng droga… naubos,” he said.
He added that he sold all five of his cars during that period.
“Ako, I had five cars. Lahat ‘yun, binenta ko,” Oyo said, noting he eventually had to borrow a vehicle from Danica and Marc. He said his lifestyle at the time caused him to isolate himself and avoid family.
Oyo said that hitting “rock bottom” became the catalyst for change. Without work, money, or direction, he said he eventually sought help through faith.
“When I met Jesus, noong nagkaroon ako ng relasyon sa Kanya, doon naayos yung buhay ko. True repentance brings change,” he said.
He added that genuine repentance, not temporary remorse, leads to real transformation.
When asked by his mother what triggered his awakening, Oyo said the experience of losing everything pushed him to acknowledge he needed to change.
“Parang kailangan kong madapa nang sobra-sobra… kailangang humampas yung mukha ko sa putik bago ko ma-realize na hindi ko pala kaya,” he said. “Sabi ko, ‘Lord, ayoko na. Surrender na ako.’”
Oyo said the struggles happened before he had a family of his own, adding that he is grateful the issues occurred early in his life. He credited his renewed faith for helping him rebuild stability and direction.
