TWBA Throwback: RK Bagatsing shares the biggest lessons he learned from his brother Raymond

Being the brother of a celebrated actor, one might think RK Bagatsing doesn’t even have to lift a finger to get projects. After all, his brother Raymond Bagatsing has connections and a name they could use to gain favor without hassle.

However, RK did not in any way take advantage of Raymond’s stellar career, “I felt ‘yung name niya is really respected and feeling ko if I use it, hindi ako worth it.” He took the difficult route to showbiz by lining up in auditions and taking in rejections, “Pumila ako kasama ang libu-libong aplikante ng PBB. Of course, maraming indie films, go-see, audition dito sa ABS-CBN.”

The rejections were heartbreaking at first, paralyzing to the point of depression. RK imposed a two-year deadline for his showbiz dreams. Unluckily, he was snubbed throughout. “Within two years, ‘yung acting ko ang dami kong rejections. In a week, I’ll go to a hundred of auditions, commercial, movies, go-see sa teleseryes and naging numb na ako, eh.”

The series of failures eat up his courage, resulting in self-doubt. He started to question his abilities and even his physical appearance. He felt hopeless, stuck in a grey existence. He would lock himself up inside the room and not have the drive to even talk to his family.

A turning point in his journey was when he decided to seek help. He opened up to his family and, thankfully, they were there to listen and help.

He went to Raymond a lot of times to widen his perspective about the industry. “I think I owe it to him the most kaya ako nandito. Siya kasi ‘yung parang tumayo din na pangalawa kong Daddy. Ang dami niyang binibigay sa akin na perspective.”

He’s thankful that Raymond has known so much about the new world he was just trying to navigate. Looking back, RK knows he wouldn’t pass the dark times if it weren’t for his brother.