Angelica Panganiban Opens Up on Mental Breakdown During Peak of Her Career
ANGELICA PANGANIBAN – Actress Angelica Panganiban is finally breaking her silence about the dark chapter of her life when she battled depression and anxiety at the height of her career.
Trigger Warning: Mention of depression, breakdown, and anxiety
Kapamilya actress Angelica Panganiban recently opened up about her past struggles with depression and anxiety, revealing how difficult those years were when her career was at its busiest. In observance of Mental Health Awareness Day last October 10, the actress reflected on a painful yet defining chapter in her life.
The actress recalled the time back in 2009 when she suffered a mental breakdown while juggling multiple acting projects. “Ginagawa ko yung Rubi, ginagawa ko yung I Love You, Goodbye, ginagawa ko yung Banana Sunday, na nagki-Kris Aquino ako (Kris TV). Then Sunday, nag-a-ASAP ka pa. May mga guestings ka,” she shared.
Angelica Panganiban said that during one taping for her comedy show, she suddenly broke down in front of her co-star and close friend John Prats. “Naalala ko noon, napaupo ako bigla, tapos breakdown ako sa kanya. Nasa taping kami ng comedy show, ha. So, sino mag-aakala na may chance at makakaramdam ka ng depression o kaguluhan ng isip mo habang surrounded ka ng masasayahing tao? Pero wala, e, nangyari lang talaga siya,” she recounted.
She vividly remembered crying uncontrollably and feeling lost amid her success. “Iyak ako nang iyak. Sabi ko, hindi ko na kilala yung sarili ko. Ang dami kong ginagawa. Tapos napo-portray ko sila with flying colors, pero si Angelica, wala na, wala na siya. Nasaan siya? Tapos iyak ako nang iyak,” the actress said.
Today, Angelica shared that she and John can laugh about it, but she acknowledges how heavy it was for a 24-year-old to go through such a crisis. “Pero kung iisipin mo talaga siya, ang heavy noon para sa isang 24 years old na dalaga, ‘tapos lost ka. Hindi mo na alam ang identity mo.”
She admitted that she once wanted to seek professional help. “Gusto kong magpa-therapy, gusto kong magpa-psychiatrist,” she said. However, she stopped herself due to fear of stigma. “Kapag sinabi mong you need help, sasabihin ng mga tao baliw ka and maluwag ang turnilyo. ‘Kaya mo iyan, toughen up.’ Nu’ng nanghingi ako ng help, yun ang binalik sa akin.”
Angelica also confessed that one of her biggest fears at the time was being labeled “crazy” and losing work opportunities. Her story serves as a reminder of the importance of breaking the stigma around mental health, especially in the entertainment industry.
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