Actress Francine Diaz opened up about the realities of growing up in the entertainment industry, admitting that there are moments when she feels she missed parts of her childhood.
In the “Oh My Gan!” podcast, Diaz recalled starting in commercials at 6 years old, appearing on ABS-CBN at 8, and later joining “Kadenang Ginto” as a teenager.
“Yes,” she replied when asked if she felt her childhood was taken away from her.
“Pag minsan na naiiwan ako sa sarili kong thoughts, pumapasok talaga 'yun sa isip ko na ‘oo nga ‘no,’ parang siguro dapat during those times nung edad ko na 'yun, baka dapat mas naglalaro ako,” she shared.
Actress Francine Diaz. Screen grab: YouTube/ABS-CBN News
But Diaz clarified that she does not regret her journey.
“Hindi naman siya sobrang regret. Pero parang longing for something lang na sana mas napagdaanan ko sa tamang edad,” she said.
Now 22, Diaz said she has learned to set boundaries and say no to things that no longer feel right.
“Mas meron na akong paninindigan sa mga paniniwala ko… And I think mas kaya ko na mag-no sa ibang bagay,” she said.
She also shared that one way she heals her inner child is by giving herself simple experiences she did not get to enjoy before.
“Binibigay ko ngayon sa sarili ko 'yung hindi ko nun naranasan,” Diaz said.
Seth Fedelin, meanwhile, said he believes it is never too late to experience things one may have missed growing up.
“Hindi pa naman huli. So, pag gusto ko ba maglaro ng baril-barilan ngayon, may mali ba dun? Wala naman,” he said.
Both Diaz and Fedelin also reflected on being breadwinners, saying that helping their families is rooted in love.
“Hindi siya responsibility,” he said. “Pagmamahal 'yun.”