After a whirlwind year filled with projects and endorsements, actress and content creator Mika Salamanca shared how she continues to prioritize her mental health while juggling a busy showbiz career.
In an interview with PUSH ABS-CBN, Mika expressed gratitude to her management team for being supportive whenever she feels overwhelmed.
"I always thank my managers kasi kapag nagsasabi ako sa kanila na hindi ko na kaya kasi sobrang dami pong nangyayari so kapag nagsasabi po ako na hindi ko na kaya kasi kailangan na po ng mental health ko ng pahinga, sobrang supportive po nila. Humahanap po sila ng kung anong kayang imove around sa schedules po, mga kayang i-let go sa schedules ko muna for my well-being,” Mika said, noting that her team always ensures her welfare comes first.
The Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition Kapuso Big Winner believes that taking care of oneself is essential to performing well, especially in a demanding industry like show business.
“Naniniwala po kasi ako na to be able to work really well for the brand or for the people, lalo na sa work ko, you have to really work on yourself also. Kailangan mo rin bigyan yung sarili mo ng pahinga. Naniniwala po ako na you really strike the iron when it’s hot pero mas mahirap to strike if you are dying na so ako I make sure na binibigyan ko yung time ang sarili ko (to rest),” she added.
When it comes to relaxation, Mika said she enjoys spending her downtime at the spa: “My go to pahinga talaga is gusto ko nagpapa-spa. Gusto ko po yung mga sauna, yung mga jacuzzi.”
Mika looked back fondly on her PBB journey as the first Kapuso Big Winner of the Celebrity Collab Edition. With the upcoming second edition of the ABS-CBN and GMA collaboration, she shared her advice for the next batch of housemates.
“Ang ma-advise ko po sa kanila is mabuhay talaga kayo sa loob ng Bahay ni Kuya kasi yung experience dyan na kahit ilang araw, ilang weeks or ilang buwan kayo tatagal diyan, sobrang bilis lang niyan paglabas niyo. Kung nandyan kayo sa loob ng Bahay ni Kuya, i-enjoy niyo lang talaga kasi hindi kayo mabibigyan ng ganyang luxury ulit paglabas niyo na hindi maingay at mayroon kayong shield mula sa hate na pwede niyong mareceive sa labas,” Mika said during the media conference for her launch as a brand ambassador of a local perfume brand.
She went on: “Kaya, kung nasa loob na kayo, mabuhay kayo sa loob. Yung problema dyan sa loob, walang maliit and walang malaki. Kung ano yung problema niyo sa loob ayon ang isipin niyo and wag yung sa labas.”
Mika also noted how happy she is for another opportunity to be given to her fellow artists who will be part of the show’s new season.
“Yung pagiging Big Winner po sa akin is nakakagulat po siya and bonus po for me sa lahat ng magandang nagawa sa akin ng PBB kaya how could I ask for more. Natutuwa ako para sa next na batch kasi yung same experience na naexperience namin sa PBB na hindi namin makukuha sa kahit saan sa mundo ay ma-e-experience ng ibang tao. Ang pinaka nararamdaman ko ngayon ay masaya ako para sa kanila na ma-experience iyon and kasi it’s (also) an opportunity for them to showcase who they really are. I’m just really happy for them,” she expressed.
Meanwhile, when asked if she would ever return as a housemate, Mika laughed that while she loves her PBB journey dearly, she has no plans to go through the experience again.
“Ang PBB sobrang laki nang nagawa sa buhay ko and mahal na mahal ko si Kuya and mahal na mahal ko yung bahay pero hindi po ako (babalik as housemate). Hindi ko na po kaya. Looking back po, masasabi ko sa sarili ko na pang-isahang beses po talaga siya (yung experience) kasi isipin mo walang cellphone, limited ang pagkain tapos araw araw hindi mo alam ano oras ka gigising or tutulog, nakakatakot pag iniisip mo babalik ako doon,” she admitted.
However, Mika remains open to joining PBB again under one condition — as a house guest or part of an All-Star Big Winner edition.
“Kaya ko po house guest pero hindi na po kapag housemate. All star edition: If magkakaroon ng all big winners, minsan naiisip ko po iyon. Ako, duo ko pa rin (Brent Manalo) para kasundo ko yung kasama ko na papasok and para hindi kami magkalaban. Pero gusto ko rin po makasama si Ate Kim Chiu and James Reid din po,” she said.