Erich Gonzales recalls how her career changed her life

Now 24 years old with 10 years spent in show business, Erich recalled trying out for the season 2 of talent search show Star Circle Quest where she emerged as the Grand Questor. She set aside money to buy her family a permanent home. “Hirap po kasi dahil naranasan po namin na palipat-lipat ng bahay. Tapos dumating pa kami sa punto na wala ng matuluyan talaga so dun kami sa likod ng simbahan…”

She also recalled the hardships their family went through when they were still young. She said that it was only her mother who raised them in Davao. “Natry ko rin dati na kanin tapos toyo, yung parang sabaw yun na yung ulam mo. Tapos dahil walang pamasahe, naglalakad ka papuntang school.”

Even though they are now living a comfortable life and able to help others, Erich said that she still remained simple. “Ganon pa rin naman, yung pagiging probinsyana, yung pagiging simple. Hindi naman talaga yun mawawala kasi yung kinalakihan mo eh.”

Later, Erich revealed that the only actual acting workshop she took was the one during her SCQ days. “Yung workshop ko po talaga nung SCQ days pa, 2004 yun. Yung contest po namin mismo. Nandoon lahat, yung acting, singing, dancing tapos kapag may mga bagong projects po, yung workshop ko, para mas madali yung bonding namin. More on ganon siya.”

Host Anthony Taberna also asked, “So pagkatapos pala nun 2004 na yun, yung SCQ, wala ng workshops pa?” “Sa akin, wala na po,” was her brief reply.