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This is how it is to see yourself 20 or so years ago. So ABSCBN is putting up new duratrans of its brightest stars along the studio corridors and replacing the old (😱) Some have left ABSCBN, some are still in ABSCBN but are no longer on TV, like me. So I took a photo beside mine before it disappears. The photo was taken by Pancho Escaler at the height of my show #PIPOL. Early 2000s. Hence the concept was me in the middle of a crowd of people. With me was my then researcher #melaniemasecampo and makeup artist @mmordido ! Na extra sila hehe.

A post shared by Ces Drilon (@cesdrilon) on Oct 21, 2019 at 6:59pm PDT

MANILA -- She's one of many ABS-CBN employees feeling the impact of the decision of lawmakers not to renew the network's franchise, or will do soon, as mass layoffs hit next month.

But in spite of this disheartening setback, Ces Drilon, at the very least, said she is moved knowing that many Filipinos empathize with what she and her colleagues are going through, understanding that they are losing "more than just a job."

Drilon, a former anchor of the late night newscast "Bandila," took to Instagram to reflect on what ABS-CBN shutting down meant to her.

She wrote that what hurt her deeply, besides realizing the financial uncertainty countless Kapamilya will be facing amidst this pandemic, is the pain of losing a job they're passionate about.

"We wake up in the morning excited and energized because we are passionate to work. It's more than just a job for us," she wrote.

Drilon also said that she's touched by the outpouring of support, sharing a message she received from the cameraman who was with her when she was kidnapped by the Abu Sayyaf last 2008.

She recalled: "One message that really touched me was sent by Jimmy Encarnacion, the ABS-CBN news cameraman, who was abducted with me 12 years ago."

"He said, 'Ma'am Ces, nabasa ko po. Nalungkot ako. Alam ko po gaano niyo minahal work niyo at ABS-CBN. Makakabangon po tayo, mam," she said.

Drilon, who has been with ABS-CBN for more than three decades, is among the many people who will be losing their jobs by the end of August, as a result of ABS-CBN's rejected franchise renewal request.

She became the subject of headlines when she shared how tough it was to tell her team that they'd be out of work by September.

You can read her full Instagram post below:

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My tweet yesterday was picked up by many. I had no idea it would resonate that way. It said : “This was one of the toughest days I had to face. Telling fellow kapamilyas that they would lose their jobs by end of August. I lost mine too.” Aside from the financial uncertainty countless kapamilyas now face, what pains us most is that we love our jobs that will end in August. One message that really touched me was sent by Jimmy Encarnacion, the ABSCBN news cameraman, who was abducted with me 12 years ago. He said “ Ma’am Ces nabasa ko po. Nalungkot ako. Alam ko po gaano nyo minahal work nyo at ABSCBN. Makakabangon po tayo mam.” We wake up in the morning excited and energized because we are passionate to work. It’s more than just a job for us. I am just so happy that people who sent me messages felt that passion in me. This isn’t goodbye. I thank ABS-CBN for the opportunities given me all these past 31 years. It was the place that nurtured me and gave me the possibility to pursue my calling. In truth because I started in MBS 4 which became PTV 4, before I moved to ABS-CBN, I have only known one workplace for the last 36 years. I am #ForeverKapamilya

A post shared by Ces Drilon (@cesdrilon) on Jul 16, 2020 at 6:23pm PDT