How Alden Richards stays motivated in his career
ALDEN RICHARDS IS SET TO TAKE his ForwARd concert to the US as part of continuous efforts to raise funds for the beneficiaries of his education-focused AR Foundation.
‘’Pag tumutulong ka na hindi nagbibilang and then you see these kids prosper because of their hard work, it’s priceless for me. It’s a thing money can’t buy, no material thing can, you know, be at par with that experience.’
“(Education) is a great cause to support,” the Kapuso star told The STAR recently.
Alden said he planned on visiting four to five cities this August to September. “That will happen right after matapos ko yung taping ko with Start-Up Philippines,” he added.
He’s been confirmed to perform in at least four different venues in California, Chicago and Florida next month.
What also excites Alden about the concert tour is the chance to perform before a live audience after staging virtual shows for the last two years.
“Since the pandemic, I’ve done a lot of digital shows but it’s still a different experience when doing (the concert) live and in front of an audience, rather than just facing cameras,” he said.
“The energy and the good vibes that you get from the people watching you live are different from, you know, when they’re not there.”
Kapamilya star Sue Ramirez is his special guest in all his US shows.
Concert proceeds will go to the beneficiaries of his nonprofit, the goal of which is to raise and grant funds for “scholars who aspire to achieve their full potential and be well-rounded, confident and responsible individuals.”
For almost a decade now, the 30-year-old has been setting aside a portion of his showbiz earnings and quietly supporting charitable activities, particularly helping out finance the schooling of cashstrapped but driven students.
Over the pandemic, Alden decided to step up efforts and establish the AR Foundation, Inc., which he officially introduced early this year through a documentaryconcert titled ForwARd.
Alden also felt fortunate that brands he’s endorsing, such as mobile brand TM, have supported his cause.
The actor has been an endorser for the brand for two years now and was the headliner at the recent TM IS THE KEY Reunion Concert at the Pelaez Sports Center, Cagayan De Oro, his first provincial show since the pandemic. He was joined by fellow TM ambassadors Seth Fedelin, Matthaios, The Juans, as well as special guests Zack Tabudlo, December Avenue, SB19 and CDO-based bands Inside City and Cyber Band, among others.
Said Bea Lacson-Limon, TM brand head: “I’m very, very happy to have Alden on board with us because swak na swak siya sa values namin and everything we stand for. So apart from being an avid gamer, maka-Pilipino si Alden and that he helps drive education opportunities for people who have difficulty. And he also has mainstream success, with everyone across all age groups recognizing him and that’s exactly what TM is, it’s a brand that’s for everybody also but may slant sa youth, of course.”
Alden said, “The thing about the (Forward) concert, it’s really for a cause. It’s really for the children who want to go to school, and I’m a really big advocate of it. So, I’m really glad that TM and I are on the same page. Ang sarap lang makahanap ng partner brands that have the same advocacy as yours.”
The last time we spoke with Alden about his charitable work early this year, he was supporting at least 14 scholars and was able to produce two college graduates. As of the latest update, he has helped another student graduate.
“Now, we’re pooling new scholars for the next school year. We’ve screened them already, then they will probably start this coming enrollment,” he said.
Aside from scholarships, Alden said the AR Foundation is looking into organizing special events for its beneficiaries. “‘Di lang kasi kami natatapos sa giving of scholarships and we also want to execute different activities for the scholars for them to be familiar with each other na hindi lang puro aral ng aral,” he explained.
“At least, maiba rin yung foundation namin from other foundations, na hindi lang solely scholarships. We want a holistic approach so that when they finish (schooling), talagang paying it forward is what we want to inculcate in these students. That they won’t just think of themselves but also the welfare of others,” Alden said.
Speaking about the kind of fulfillment he gets out of this project outside of showbiz, he said it keeps him motivated in his acting job.
“‘Pag tumutulong ka na hindi nagbibilang (when you’re helping out without counting the cost) and then you see these kids prosper because of their hard work, it’s priceless for me. It’s a thing that money can’t buy. No material thing can, you know, be at par with that experience. So masaya lang. It motivates me more ngayon nga. My definition of success is not really achieving something for myself. It’s about how I can change people’s lives every day.”
Meanwhile, in case you haven’t noticed it yet, Alden is looking stronger and leaner nowadays.
Alden has yet to disclose his weight loss regimen in interviews (maybe soon?). But he hinted that it’s mainly due to a lifestyle change that he kick-started when he did the series The World Between Us, which aired mid of last year on GMA and is now available on Netflix.
He shared that at the moment, he’s at his fittest and healthiest.
“I am in my best form. I’d like to say, yes, I am. Kumbaga as I go along and nakakatulong tayo sa ibang tayo, siempre, trying to help change their life somehow, I want to change my life as well in a different way,” Alden said of his fitness motivation.
“So, iba rin siya. It’s a very liberating experience for me — this journey as a healthier, mas happy and contented (person). Iba kasi nagagawa if you feel good about yourself. Everything just follows,” he concluded.