Touched by the Light
Stories of stars made new again
Easter Sunday celebrates life and good deeds in time for the Savior’s resurrection. It is the most important
day for Christians as it represents the fulfillment of God’s promises to save mankind from sin.
It is an opportunity to be found, to turn over a new leaf. The following celebrities, even if some have different faith, are good examples:
He is a self-confessed alcoholic who had been consistently involved in numerous public brawls and physical altercations with family members. He has two scars on his left cheek to show for it.
He faced four acts of harassment complaints from several actresses.His own mother, Gracia Bayonito-Geisler, signed him up to a detox facility for 10 days.
In 2011, the Professional Artist Management, Inc. (PAMI) put him on indefinite artist ban, unless he is fully rehabilitated. The actor would complete a 90-day treatment session.
But just when people thought his wild days were over, Baron, once again, got involved in numerous controversies. He even got arrested for violent behavior.
It reached the point the actor no longer had projects. It’s when Baron vowed to take his rehabilitation “very seriously.”
Today, he had filed the controversies under “ancient history.” On Instagram, he claims to enjoy renewed life.
He describes himself to be “touched by God to touch others.” He attends fellowship with Maranatha Christian Fellowship, a “Bible-based, Spirit-led congregation” in Cebu. He speaks about mental health awareness at various symposiums.
Admitting that he still “battles” with his addiction and that he is bipolar, Baron said he is able to put those things under control with the “grace of God.”
Baron Geisler
Once upon a time, Baron was one of the most troubled actors of his generation.
JM de Guzman
When JM emerged in the industry via hit TV series “Angelito: Ang Batang Ama,” many saw him as the next leading man of his generation.
At the peak of his blossoming career, though, JM went through a rough patch in his life. He spent years in a drug rehabilitation center.
In 2018, the once “troubled actor” vowed to keep clean, reiterating he would not waste his second chance.
Still, JM won’t deny the fact that he is still “fighting an internal war” every day.
“When the doctors assessed me, they said I was unconsciously trying to sabotage myself. I was crying for help because I was overwhelmed with emotions,” he narrated. “I may look okay now, but I’m still overcoming the anxiety every day.”
“I still attend therapy session. But I could say I’m fighting the good fight. I will not give up,” he added.
JM is the lead star of “Last Fool Show.” He is set to appear on teleserye, “Project Kapalaran.” New album is on the way.
Ethel Booba
She won’t let a video scandal define her as a person.
The video made the rounds online in 2005. Her boyfriend at the time, Alex Crisano, explained that the video circulated after he had his cellphone repaired at a mall.
In a past interview on “Gandang Gabi Vice,” the sexy comedienne said the controversial video is the “worst” she had done for love.
She didn’t deny she felt ashamed at first. But as the saying goes, time heals all wounds.
“I make fun of my own scandal na din so they can’t use it against me. Charot!” she wrote on Twitter.
She has learned from her mistakes and strives to be a better person every day.
“Sa lahat ng iskandalo ko sa buhay? Wala! Kasi madami akong natutunan sa mga pagkakamali ko ’saka mas naging matibay ako lalo, kasi feeling ko naranasan ko na lahat ng pait ng buhay,”
she added.
Ethel has definitely stashed all the issues of the past into one big box then sent it on merry way down Pasig River.
This funny lady has reinvented her- self into a “politically-aware queen.”
She, who has millions of followers on Twitter, is now one of the personalities that made a mark on the platform by injecting witty asides to socio-political issues of the day.
Robin Padilla
Robin captured the hearts of many Filipinos in the ’90s. He was ruggedly handsome, macho — a dreamboat. All his films were doing well at the box office.
But on his way to becoming an “icon,” something happened: Robin’s bad boy image turned real.
In 1994, he was arrested by authorities for illegal possession of high-powered firearms. He admitted in previous interviews he used to take illegal substance. The glamour boy was eventually sentenced to 17 years imprisonment.
After serving two years in prison, Robin converted to Islam. He married Liezl Sicangco in a Muslim ceremony at the New Bilibid Prison social Hall. With his new faith, the action star was a changed man.
In 1998, Robin was granted conditional pardon and release by President Fidel Ramos.
To date, Robin is vocal on worthwhile issues. He endorses the peace process in Muslim-majority areas in Mindanao. In 2016, he was granted absolute pardon by President Rodrigo Duterte, restoring Robin his full civil and political rights.
The actor is happily married to actress-TV host Mariel Rodriguez. They have a daughter named Maria Isabella. Robin’s other children are Queenie, Kylie, Zhen-Zhen, and Ali.
Katrina Halili
Speaking of “video,” Katrina’s career was rocked by controversy online involving Hayden Kho.
She lost projects and endorsements after the video — said to have been recorded without her knowledge and consent — came out. “Maraming tao sa paligid ko na ang samasama ng tingin sa akin. Hindi po ako makalabas ng bahay. Kapag meron po akong taong nakikita, iniisip ko kung napanood ’yong video ko. Sobrang sakit, sobrang galit,” she said then in her opening statement before the Senate committee investigating the case.
She described that event as the “lowest point of my life.”
But the “StarStruck” alumni rose above the stigma and has moved on with her career and personal life.
In a previous interview, she expressed gratitude to the late director Maryo J. delos Reyes for giving her a second chance.
“I feel like I was saved by an angel. He was there when I was down, he was the one who helped get through all of the issue. He entrusted me with roles, he believed in me,” she said.
Katrina has a daughter with former boyfriend Kris Lawrence, whom she broke up with in 2014.
Single for years now, the actress reiterated she is happy. She flippantly said she does not care if she is loveless or not. After all, she prefers to focus on her work instead of finding a new man for herself. “Wala din naman kasi akong time na ibibigay if ever,” she said. “Gusto ko lang mag-trabaho, mag-ipon, magenjoy kasama ’yung anak ko.”
Mark Anthony Fernandez
The son of Rudy Fernandez and Alma Moreno rose to prominence by becoming a member of famous showbiz teen group the “Gwapings.”
Mark Anthony elevated his career further with his movies “Pare Ko,” “Mangarap Ka,” and “Matimbang Pa Sa Dugo” earning him Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor nominations from different award-giving bodies.
However, the year 1998 marked the start of the downward spiral of his career and personal life. It was caused by an assault case filed against him by an American socialite, and his breakup with girlfriend Claudine Barretto. It’s no secret Mark Anthony had been in and out of drug rehabilitations centers after that.
In October 2016, he was arrested for alleged marijuana possession after attempting to elude a police checkpoint in Angeles, Pampanga. He had stated he smoked marijuana “to prevent cancer.”
A year after, the police released him from jail following a case dismissal.
In an interview early last year, Mark Anthony said that episode in his life strengthened his faith in God.
“I learned that you always have to have connection with God, because there were days before and nights that I would sleep without praying to Him. But now I pray to Him every day, every single day,” he said. “After po ng nangyari sa
akin, I’m very thankful na tinulungan ako ni God. Hindi niya ako pinabayaan at napatunayan kong wala talagang imposible sa Kanya.”
The actor is signed with Viva Artist Agency (VAA). He was last seen on television via “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano.”
Alma Concepcion
When she won the Binibining Pilipinas 1994 title, a lot of Filipina started to idolized this former actress.
It turned out she wouldn’t be a good “influence” for long.
In 1998, Alma was arrested in Guam for possession of shabu. She reportedly pleaded guilty to carrying 0.08 grams of the illegal substance. She was released after 28 days because she tested negative.
“We should use history to make us better people. Sana iyong susunod na henerasyon, iyong mga pagkakamali namin ay ’wag na nilang ulitin,” she said in an article on ABS-CBN News in 2016.