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Diagnosed with ADHD, LA Santos still pursues showbiz career: ‘Wag bitawan ang pangarap’

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Josh Mercado

There’s nothing to be ashamed of. You can be anything and you can do anything. In Hollywood, there are stars who are open about their condition, including actor Barry Keoghan, singer Reneé Rap, director Greta Gerwig, actress Emma Watson, and superstar Justin Timberlake.These famous people have proven their worth, and successfully handled the public judgment, normalizing and owning it.For Filipino actor and singer LA Santos, entering showbiz has helped him find focus and become his authentic self.“May ADHD kasi ako at ang bilis ko talaga ma-distract. Sobrang bilis. ‘Yung method acting, nakakatulong sa akin kasi nakaka-focus ako. Kilala ko kasi ang sarili ko. Once na bumitaw ako, hirap na hirap talaga akong bumalik. Kahit nasa tent lang ako, in character talaga ako,” he revealed.Discussing the advantage of having the condition, he said, “Para sa akin, nakatulong talaga siya (acting). Kasi ‘yung ADHD ko, kapag sa isang bagay na gustung-gusto ko, grabe ‘yung hyper focus ko. Pero kapag sa isang bagay na ayaw ko, wala talaga. ‘Yun ang advantage na masasabi ko ng may ADHD. Mahal na mahal talaga namin ‘yung ginagawa namin as in super focused.”Santos credits his parents for his success and overcoming ADHD and mild autism.“Baby pa lang po ako, na-diagnose na ako ng ADHD and may mild autism. Growing up po talaga, nakita ko ‘yung sacrifices ng mga magulang ko. ‘Yun ang masasabi ko na nakatulong sa akin kung nasaan man ako ngayon,” he told ABS-CBN News during his intimate presscon at Mesa in Quezon City.When asked for his self-care regimen, he shared with ABS-CBN News: “Ang self-care ko talaga is ginagawa ko ‘yung best ko na makauwi lagi sa bahay. ‘Yun ang nagre-recharge sa akin. Kahit anong trabaho na ginagawa ko, kahit late akong matapos sa trabaho, ginagawa ko ‘yung best ko na makauwi ng bahay para makasama ‘yung mga kapatid ko, si mommy, ‘yung mga aso na rin. Para sa akin, ‘yun lang ang kailangan ko. Basta makauwi lang ako, alam kong okay na ako. Workout din and dating. ‘Yung dating, ‘yun ang makakapag-okay sa akin.”The young actor and singer also talked about his new movie “Maple Leaf Dreams,” an official entry to Sinag Maynila under the direction of Benedict Mique.“15 days kami sa Canada. Kapag hindi shooting day, pahinga lang po kami roon. Pumapasyal kami pero sa sine lang sa downtown sa Toronto. Kapag nagsho-shoot, nakakapagod din,” he said.His message for young dreamers? “Pangarap ko talagang maging Lastikman. Ang masasabi ko lang sa mga ka-edad ko, mangarap lang tayo kahit mahirap talaga at kahit mahaba pa ang tatahakin natin, huwag bitawan ‘yung pangarap. Minsan makakalimutan natin ‘yun, madadala tayo sa mga mangyayari sa buhay natin, huwag bibitawin ‘yung pangarap na ‘yun kasi ‘yun ang utang na loob mo para sa batang version mo.”Santos is also pursuing his music career and wants to collaborate with Janella Salvador.“Nagpla-plan po ako na mag-release ng album under Star Music po. Matagal na po ‘yung last album ko. Dream collab ko po si Janella talaga kasi nung Darna pa lang, naging very close na kami ni Janella at talagang nakita ko po na grabe ang artistry niya,” the young artist ended.

There’s nothing to be ashamed of. You can be anything and you can do anything. In Hollywood, there are stars who are open about their condition.

There’s nothing to be ashamed of. You can be anything and you can do anything. In Hollywood, there are stars who are open about their condition.