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Enchong Dee reveals almost quitting showbiz five years ago: ‘Ilang beses na din ako nag-attempt’

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Rhea Manila Santos

As he celebrates his 15th year milestone in showbiz this year, Enchong Dee said it was not an easy path for him as he admitted to almost quitting the industry five years ago.“I think staying in the business was always the goal and then the decision just followed. It’s an everyday decision that you have to make, The people in Star Magic knew na ilang beses na din ako nag-attempt, ilang beses na ako nagsabi na parang okay na siguro, naka ten years na ako, ganyan.“And then lagi sa akin sinasabi ni tita Monch (Novales), my handler and my manager for the last 15 years, ‘Alam mo, hindi totoong nag-re-retire ang mga artista. Kapag artista ka, artista ka na forever. And babalik babalik ka lang. Yes mag-te-take time ka, pero babalik at babalik ka.’ And then naintindihan ko.”<div><a href="https://push.abs-cbn.com/2021/11/4/fresh-scoops/enchong-dee-stars-in-mmks-30th-anniversary-episod-196692">READ: </a><a href="https://push.abs-cbn.com/2021/11/4/fresh-scoops/enchong-dee-stars-in-mmks-30th-anniversary-episod-196692">Enchong Dee stars in MMK’s 30th anniversary episode: ‘Ang bigat pala ng responsibilidad’</a></div>Even after starring in the drama anthology Maalaala Mo Kaya’s 30th anniversary episode on November 6 where he plays the role of cosmetic tattooist Edwin Pranada, Enchong said he still questions his worth in the industry and uses those doubts as a way to become a better actor and co-worker.“Every once in a while, I never get to show how much I doubt myself when it comes to this business. I constantly ask myself na kailangan pa ba ako sa industriya? Meron pa ba akong ibibigay? Yung kaba nitong episode na ‘to siguro yun lang yung nasa isip ko ngayon.“While we were doing this episode, na-re-remind ako kung gaano ko kamahal yung magpakita ng emosyon, naalala ko kung gaano kasarap katrabaho yung sabay sabay kayong napapagod. Kaya nga sabi ko ang suwerte ko na kapag sa ABS-CBN ang tawagan kapamilya. Kasi kapag pamilya, nandiyan talaga kayo para sa isa’t isa. And yun yung hinhanap ko every time I’m on the set. Kailangan ko tratuhin yung mga co-actors ko the same way as I treat the wardrobe, the makeup artists, the staff, the utility people, it’s the same. Because again, it all boils down to being a family,” he explained. <div><a href="https://push.abs-cbn.com/2021/8/6/fresh-scoops/exclusive-enchong-dee-talks-about-being-a-busines-195047">EXCLUSIVE: Enchong Dee talks about being a businessman: ‘I’m a risk taker pagdating sa negosyo’</a></div>Enchong also shared what he considers the best lessons he has learned having been part of showbiz for 15 years.“May nadinig ako dati na ang acting or performance ng isang artist napag-aaralan yan. Pero ang ugali ng artista, mahirap baguhin. So make sure na mas mabuti kang makisama muna and then aralin mo yung craft mo. Kasi napakaliit ng industriya natin. Yung mga taong inartehan mo, yung mga taong pinakitaan mo ng disrespect, yun at yun din yung taong makakasalamuha mo din.“Ang naaalala ko may isa akong eksena, umabot ako ng 17 takes kasi hindi ko makuha kuha, hiyang hiya na ako. Gusto ko ng kainin ng lupa. Pero yun siguro nung mga panahon na yun marunong ako makisama at unti unti kong napag-aralan itong trabaho natin. Yung mga senior actors, yung mga nauna sa akin, kapag mabuti ka makisama, they are more generous in helping and in sharing their experiences for you to last in the business,” he added.<div><a href="https://push.abs-cbn.com/2021/7/22/fresh-scoops/exclusive-enchong-dee-on-studying-music-its-ne-194799">EXCLUSIVE: Enchong Dee on studying music: ‘it’s never too late’</a></div>For MMK’s “Ink of Smile” episode, Enchong shared what he has also learned about humanity and being kind no matter what your background is.“Kasi naniniwala ako na bawat isa namn sa atin merong kakayahan at karapatan magkuwento nung kanilang buhay. Lahat tayo hindi tayo puwedeng manghusga kasi bawat tao may pinagdadaanan at hindi natin alam kung gaano kabigat at gaano kasakit nun. Pero siguro naalagaan at pinalaki rin ako ng magulang ko na naprotektahan nila ako sa mga bagay na pakiramdam ko ikabibigat ng pakiramdam namin. Ako naniniwala ako na mga magulang natin shini-shield tayo, hindi sa atin pinaparamdam pag hirap sila financially or may pinagdadaanan sila emotionally. Usually yung mga anak, as much as possible, they don’t want to show what they’re going through,” he said.Unlike the YouTube channel of most celebrities whose content focuses on their personal lives, Enchong said he wants his vlogs to have a more educational tone.“Klaro sa akin na my YouTube content is really more for business. I really want to share knowledge to Filipinos when it comes to financial literacy like kung paano mag-ipon and kung ano man yung pagdadaanan sa susunod hindi na tayo yung naghihikahos ulit. Parang ang dami nating nadinig na kuwento, madami tayong nakasalamuhang tao na hirap sa buhay lalong lalo na dito sa Pilipinas. Kaya siguro yun muna yung puwede kong pagtuunan din ng pansin.“Bago ako nagpaalam for a birthday leave, nag-shoot muna ako eh. Right after the MMK taping dumiretso ako sa shoot para to make sure kasi ang maganda nung mga nakasalamuha kong negosyante. Mga small entrepreneurs na kahit may pandemya nilaban nila. Alam mo, nag-iinterview ako ng mga presidente ng kumpanya, mga may-ari ng ganitong kompanya, I think I should also shed a light on small entrepreneurs and I realize I’m considered a small entrepreneur. We’re SMEs. I think kailangan din natin i-highlight yung mga ganung tao kasi mas grabe yung sakripisyo nila di ba?” he shared. Watch MMK’s 30th anniversary episode “Ink of Smile” starring Enchong Dee on November 6, Saturday on the Kapamilya Channel and A2Z, Kapamilya Online Live on ABS-CBN Entertainment’s YouTube channel and Facebook page, and iWantTFC. For viewers outside of the Philippines, it is available on the The Filipino Channel on cable and IPTV.

‘Maalaala Mo Kaya’ actor Enchong Dee talks about the best life lessons he’s learned as an actor for the past 15 years. 