JC Santos talks about being an OFW in Hong Kong and Singapore: ‘I was super scared and vulnerable’

Rhea Manila Santos

After being announced as the star of the upcoming OFW film The Eventologist which will be shot in Qatar later this year, JC Santos said he is excited to play an onscreen character he’s never portrayed before. When asked about his new role, the 32-year-old actor shared some details about the film’s storyline.“Siya yung gumagawa ng events, based siya sa Qatar eh. An OFW hosting events and pinapapunta ang mga artista galing sa Pilipinas para mag-perform sila sa Doha, Qatar. Nag-re-revolve yung kuwento sa buong pangyayari backstage while lahat ng nangyayaring events na ‘to sa labas. Kumbaga it’s the point of view of one person kung ano nangyayari behind the scenes,” he said during The Eventologist mediacon by Advocacy Global Studios last May 14. <a href='https://push.abs-cbn.com/2021/5/17/fresh-scoops/jc-santos-set-to-star-in-the-new-ofw-themed-film-193482'>READ: JC Santos set to star in the new OFW-themed film ‘The Eventologist’</a>During the event, JC said he can definitely relate to his role after working as an OFW for four years abroad in Hong Kong and Singapore.“I was a performer for both theme parks. The first time I went there I was 19 years old. I was curious kasi nung time na yun kasi OFW parents ko so gusto ko maintindihan bakit naghiwalay parents ko, kung bakit nila kailangan magtrabaho. So gusto ko maintindihan yung side nila. So I auditioned for Universal Studios Singapore and suwerte na I got in. Nung time na yun I was enjoying the whole thing. I was making money na tapos meron kang ganito kalaking money hindi mo alam gagawin mo (laughs). Nung time na yun, I was still finding myself. I really wanted to be a performer. Ang pinaka main dream ko nun was to study in New York. Kubaga gagamitin ko itong iipunin ko habang OFW ako ngayon para makapag-aral ako sa New York. So yung ginamit ko na pera actually pinang-aral ko. Tapos eventually nakapagpatayo din ako ng bahay. Kasi ang plano ko lang talaga is to perform at nag-e-enjoy akong gawin yun sa Pilipinas.”<a href='https://push.abs-cbn.com/2021/3/30/fresh-scoops/jc-santos-reveals-biggest-fear-during-lockdown-192554'>READ: JC Santos reveals biggest fear during lockdown: ‘Hindi ko alam kung magkakatrabaho ako’</a>Even though he was enjoying working abroad, JC said his biggest challenge was the feeling of isolation.“Nung time na yun I was super scared and vulnerable every time kasi as a person dito sa Pilipinas meron kang mga comfort zone na pinupuntahan. Kunwari yung friend ko puwede ko lang puntahan ngayon any time. Puwede ko makita yung mga loved ones ko. Kapag nasa ibang bansa ka, wala. It’s like I’m working every time kahit na nasa bahay na ako at nag-re-relax,” he recalled.<a href='https://push.abs-cbn.com/2020/6/20/fresh-scoops/push-x-lifestyle-jc-santos-now-a-complete-man-b-29343'>READ: PUSH X LIFESTYLE: JC Santos now a ‘complete man’ because of fatherhood</a>Now that he has a thriving acting career in the country, JC said he gives advice to friends who are considering becoming OFWs.“Ang last na in-advise-an ko no is performing now in Hong Kong Disneyland. Ang sabi ko, ‘You know what, hindi mo kailangan isipin. You have to do it now. Para pag nandun ka na, ikaw na bahala mag-assess kung gusto mo siya or hindi.’ Kasi iba iba ang interpretation ng mga tao diyan eh. Kapag nandiyan na sila may possibility ma-homesick na parang hindi na nila kaya, yung iba naman parang dito na lang ako forever,” he says.

During the event, JC said he can definitely relate to his role after working as an OFW for four years abroad in Hong Kong and Singapore.“I was a performer for both theme parks. The first time I went there I was 19 years old. I was curious kasi nung time na yun kasi OFW parents ko so gusto ko maintindihan bakit naghiwalay parents ko, kung bakit nila kailangan magtrabaho. So gusto ko maintindihan yung side nila. So I auditioned for Universal Studios Singapore and suwerte na I got in. Nung time na yun I was enjoying the whole thing. I was making money na tapos meron kang ganito kalaking money hindi mo alam gagawin mo (laughs). Nung time na yun, I was still finding myself. I really wanted to be a performer. Ang pinaka main dream ko nun was to study in New York. Kubaga gagamitin ko itong iipunin ko habang OFW ako ngayon para makapag-aral ako sa New York. So yung ginamit ko na pera actually pinang-aral ko. Tapos eventually nakapagpatayo din ako ng bahay. Kasi ang plano ko lang talaga is to perform at nag-e-enjoy akong gawin yun sa Pilipinas.”<a href='https://push.abs-cbn.com/2021/3/30/fresh-scoops/jc-santos-reveals-biggest-fear-during-lockdown-192554'>READ: JC Santos reveals biggest fear during lockdown: ‘Hindi ko alam kung magkakatrabaho ako’</a>Even though he was enjoying working abroad, JC said his biggest challenge was the feeling of isolation.“Nung time na yun I was super scared and vulnerable every time kasi as a person dito sa Pilipinas meron kang mga comfort zone na pinupuntahan. Kunwari yung friend ko puwede ko lang puntahan ngayon any time. Puwede ko makita yung mga loved ones ko. Kapag nasa ibang bansa ka, wala. It’s like I’m working every time kahit na nasa bahay na ako at nag-re-relax,” he recalled.<a href='https://push.abs-cbn.com/2020/6/20/fresh-scoops/push-x-lifestyle-jc-santos-now-a-complete-man-b-29343'>READ: PUSH X LIFESTYLE: JC Santos now a ‘complete man’ because of fatherhood</a>Now that he has a thriving acting career in the country, JC said he gives advice to friends who are considering becoming OFWs.“Ang last na in-advise-an ko no is performing now in Hong Kong Disneyland. Ang sabi ko, ‘You know what, hindi mo kailangan isipin. You have to do it now. Para pag nandun ka na, ikaw na bahala mag-assess kung gusto mo siya or hindi.’ Kasi iba iba ang interpretation ng mga tao diyan eh. Kapag nandiyan na sila may possibility ma-homesick na parang hindi na nila kaya, yung iba naman parang dito na lang ako forever,” he says.

After being announced as the star of the upcoming OFW film The Eventologist which will be shot in Qatar later this year, JC Santos said he is excited to play an onscreen character he’s never portrayed before. When asked about his new role, the 32-year-old actor shared some details about the film’s storyline.“Siya yung gumagawa ng events, based siya sa Qatar eh. An OFW hosting events and pinapapunta ang mga artista galing sa Pilipinas para mag-perform sila sa Doha, Qatar. Nag-re-revolve yung kuwento sa buong pangyayari backstage while lahat ng nangyayaring events na ‘to sa labas. Kumbaga it’s the point of view of one person kung ano nangyayari behind the scenes,” he said during The Eventologist mediacon by Advocacy Global Studios last May 14. <a href='https://push.abs-cbn.com/2021/5/17/fresh-scoops/jc-santos-set-to-star-in-the-new-ofw-themed-film-193482'>READ: JC Santos set to star in the new OFW-themed film ‘The Eventologist’</a>

JC Santos reveals why he became an OFW when he was just 19 years old.

JC Santos talks about being an OFW in Hong Kong and Singapore: ‘I was super scared and vulnerable’ | PUSH.COM.PH