Posted by ReyFort Media
Trigger warning: Mentions of depression, anxiety
MANILA, Philippines — Actor Pepe Herrera opened up about his mental health struggles after he left the ABS-CBN show “Your Face Sounds Familiar.”
In a video released by Pepe and ABS-CBN, the actor said he experienced depression and anxiety since he was 13 years old.
“Hello everyone. I wrote a love letter for all of you and thank you for giving me the space to share because this is very important for me,” Pepe began his statement.
“I haven’t been well for decades. After my session with my psychotherapist the other day, I realized I have been struggling with depression and anxiety attacks alternately since I was 13 years old.
“Hello everyone. I wrote a love letter for all of you and thank you for giving me the space to share because this is very important for me,” Pepe began his statement.
“I haven’t been well for decades. After my session with my psychotherapist the other day, I realized I have been struggling with depression and anxiety attacks alternately since I was 13 years old.
“I managed to survive because I have developed the ability to escape with the help of band-aid solutions. I was sweeping everything under a rug, not dealing with traumatic experiences I am afraid to face, putting a mask on, making people laugh, and all this time I did not know that the body is keeping score.
“All this pretending and escaping apparently is taking a toll on my body.”
Pepe also said that he is experiencing panic attacks in the evening, preventing him from sleeping.
“Either I will be able to sleep only when the sun is shining or I won’t be able to sleep at all.
“The combination of insomnia and anxiety is making my body experience regular tremors and numbness in different parts of my body. Chest pains and headaches are worsening. And there are times when my thoughts are becoming darker and darker. I feel like I’m drowning.
“A few days ago, I experienced a turning point. I had a mental breakdown and went through a panic attack because of something I felt on my chest.
“It was not just heavy. It felt like something was squeezing my lungs violently. I panicked because I thought I was dying. I was terrified.
“I moved around outside the house while walking barefoot on the grass, praying, begging, talking to my body and to God to make the pain stop. Eventually, it stopped.”
Pepe then promised himself not to abuse his body again by escaping. He had a long conversation with his wife, which gave him clarity on his next step.
“I made a decision to finally focus and commit to getting treatment while taking an indefinite leave from work. As a breadwinner, this was a very difficult decision for me. I became good in pretending because I need to provide for my family. But my wife and I agree that these needs to be done.
“I’m swallowing my pride by getting a loan to put food on the table because focusing on treatment means not having income for months. But it is what it is. Better do this now before the condition becomes chronic. I need to do this for my wife and kids also.
“I just have to commit now on receiving them and learning from them. In a nutshell, after more than three decades of trying to be a people pleaser, I decided to choose myself and my healing. My wife is supportive because, as she mentioned, you cannot pour from an empty cup or picture.”
He then apologized to “Your Face Sounds Familiar” as he advised people who are experiencing the same to undergo checkup.
“To my ‘Your Face Sounds Familiar’ family, I’m sorry if I have to leave. I’m sharing this unfiltered information because you deserve the whole truth. I’m grateful for the family we have created even for just a short time.
“You also deserve my complete honesty. I can be the Pepe who can get tired of being a clown and I can be the Pepe who can be very serious and from now on you will see the most sincere and truthful version of me. That’s a promise.
“For those who are also struggling, I hope you get the help you need and the healing that you deserve. I hope you rediscover the courage to work on that for yourself and your family. Please don’t forget that you’re never alone.”
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‘Your Face Sounds Familiar’ family expresses support to Pepe Herrera
The “Your Face Sounds Familiar” family has expressed its support to Pepe Herrera, who decided to exit the show to prioritize his mental health.
On Saturday before this week’s transformations, the show’s hosts Vhong Navarro and Jhong Hilario announced Herrera’s decision to withdraw from the competition.
“Isa sa mga celebrity performers natin dito sa ‘Your Face Sounds Familiar’ ay nangangailangan ng panahon para sa kanyang kalusugan at kapakanan kaya naman humantong siya sa isang desisyon,” Hilario said.
“Ka-Familiars, si Pepe Herrera po ay nagdesisyon na hindi na magpapatuloy sa ating kompetisyon para mag-focus sa kanyang kalusugan. Siyempre yun naman po talaga ang pinakamahalaga ay ‘yung maayos na health and well-being nang bawat isa sa atin. Kaya Kuys Pepe pahinga ka muna diyan we wish you all the best,” Navarro explained.
The hosts also thanked Herrera for his all-out performances and stressed that the theater and screen actor will always be part of the “Your Face Sounds Familiar” family.
“Mami-miss ka namin. Salamat sa performances mo na tumatak, mga banat mong walang kupas at siyempre sa puso mong all-out lagi tuwing magpe-perform,” Hilario said.
Navarro added: “At tandaan mo lagi kang parte ng ‘Your Face Sounds Familiar’ family kaya naman kuys Pepe diyan ka lang magpahinga, mag-relax.”
The show’s jurors Sharon Cuneta and Ogie Alcasid also expressed their love for Herrera.
After the on-air announcement, “Your Face Sounds Familiar” released Herrera’s statement through its official social media accounts. (R. deveza/abs-cbn )
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