After listening to the tear-jerking stories shared by Vivoree Esclito, CJ Salonga, [LINK OUT ] Daniela Stranner, and Kaori Oinuma in the previous episodes, it’s JC Alcantara and Zach Castañeda’s turns to talk about the lowest points in their lives in the third episode of “Tara G! Kape’t Kuwentuhan.”

JC, who plays the shy yet romantic guy named Dan in Tara G!, tackled his struggles as a breadwinner, to whom a lot of us can truly relate.

“Mahirap pala sa atin bilang breadwinner na panatilhing kaya mong suportahan ang pamilya mo, kaya mong ipakita palagi na proud sila sa’yo. Gusto mong ipakita sa kanila ‘yon palagi, i-maintain lahat ng ‘yon, pero ang hirap sa atin na hindi na natin nakikita ang saya na hinahanap natin,” he started off.

As a newbie, he assumed that he’s going to be absolutely happy and get everything that he wants once he breaks into showbiz. But once he already acquired the things he was yearning for, he felt like he’s still looking for something that he couldn’t see nor fathom. As much as he craves for contentment, his responsibilities as a breadwinner hinders him from reaching it.

“Kasi ako sobrang bait kong tao. As in lahat, gusto ko ipakita sa inyo na sobrang goods ako pero minsan nakakapagod din pala na maging okay ka sa tao,” JC uttered. He then added how he lost himself along the way, which made him ask himself what could have gone wrong and what he should do in order to regain his true self, who used to be cheerful and playful.

Thus, there are times when he hesitates to talk to anyone on the set, in fear of saying something wrong or committing mistakes that could ruin the perfect relationship he has with them.

These made him realize that fortune and fame do not matter anymore as happiness is the only thing that he pursues. So, in order to stay grounded and recharge his energies, he goes back to his hometown every time they take a break from their lock-in tapings and spends time with his families and close friends.

“Alam ko lahat tayo napapagod, lahat tayo may mga problemang pinagdadaanan, pero kailangan natin ng pahinga para bumalik tayo. Bilang artista, nakaka-drain e,” he said. “Kailangan talaga nating mag-recharge, kailangan nating bumalik kung saan tayo nagsimula, para maging okay tayo, maging happy tayo, hindi natin madala sa set [‘yong] mga problema natin na [makakaapekto] sa lahat.”

He also opened up about the recent rejections he experienced, which include the cancellation of projects he’s supposed to do. It reminded him that even though he has already proven himself as a promising and hardworking actor, he must prepare himself to this kind of situation and learn to be proud and grateful to every project bestowed to him. Rejections may be painful, but he uses those to motivate himself to keep on going.

Vivoree chimed in to remind everyone to treat every project as if their first in order for them to stay grounded, to stay humble, and to be able to give their best. Zach then commented how he appreciates JC so much for being appreciative of every role given to him and do everything he could for that. Anthony Jennings also reiterated what their directors have been instilling to them that there’s no small or big role since every character in any film or television show has a significant part in the narrative.

Aside from going back to his province, being one with nature helped him bounce back, too, every time he gets depressed, exhausted, and demotivated.

Just like their co-star Daniela Stranner, Zach recounted not being academically-good as well, so he wasn’t able to enjoy his school life nor made his father proud of him.

Even though he already made it to show business, he feels that his dad is still not proud of him because he thinks that he wants him to have a degree in college. Thus, he wants to prove him wrong and that he has what it takes to be in this industry.

Aside from that, another lowest point of his life was the heartbreaking demise of his Yaya Susan last year, who he considered as his second mom because of how she took good care of him and his four siblings ever since 1985. He emotionally confessed how he regrets not being able to reciprocate the love she had given them.

He’s eternally thankful to her for being one of the people who molded him into becoming the man that he is at present. Thus, when she passed away, he felt like he lost his heart and soul, too. But what worsened the pain and sadness he’s feeling is the fact that his nanny wanted to see him on TV and was one of those who supported him in this pursuit.

The newbie actor was able to recover from that hurtful and difficult experience through the “Amor Fati” mindset, a Latin word that translates to “Love of Fate” and means “whatever happens, happens. You accept it. Whoever you are, you accept it.”

Apart from believing that it is fate, Vivoree added that he must allow himself to be hurt and feel that sadness, yet he must learn to pick himself up at the end of the day.

Zach also imparted how grateful he is that he’s currently in the industry because hearing other people’s experiences really inspires him, especially Team WISE and their fellow talents from Rise Artists Studio. They cheered them up by telling him that his yaya is surely proud of him and, perhaps, even looking over him from the heavens alongside their loved ones who also passed on.

As he dedicates his work to his Yaya Susan, he went on to thank his co-stars for everything they’ve done for him.

Watch out for new episode of Tara G! every FRIDAY, 8PM, on iWantTFC!