PBB Discovery Manolo Pedrosa Is Now With GMA-7 & Happy To Be Part Of 'Pamilya Roces' And Its Power House Cast

MANOLO PEDROSA initially gained fame as a housemate in “Pinoy Big Brother All In” in 2014. Daniel Matsunaga won in that batch but the most successful housemate now is Joshua Garcia who plays leads in movies and teleseryesd. Manolo was then only 16 years old studying at La Salle Greenhills. He was evicted after three months inside Kuya’s house.

He just celebrated his 21st birthday on October 20 and is now officially a Kapuso. So why did he suddenly disappear from ABS-CBN? “I was taping a show then when my back suddenly ached, sobrang sakit talaga,” he says. “Hindi na ako nakapag-take and it was diagnosed as a bulging disc sa likod ko. Ni hindi ako makapaglakad nang maayos at hindi rin malaman what caused it. Bigla na lang lumabas. The doctor wanted to do surgery on me but I opted for alterrnative medicine, healthy diet and habits, and a special workout that will help in rehabilitating my disc.”

He was in therapy for two years. “Then when I felt better, I went back to school and after a while, na-missed ko ang showbiz so I asked my manager kung puede ba akong bumalik. I realized I really love acting and my parents are supportive naman. Dinala ako sa GMA-7 and I signed a contract with them last July. Suwerte naman, nabigyan nga ako agad ng bagong show, ‘Pamilya Roces’, and I’m really so happy kasi puro magagaling ang mga kasama ko rito, including our director, Joel Lamangan.”

His attitude about showbiz work has changed since his PBB days. “I was still immature then, teenager pa ako. I am now definitely more serious and determined sa trabaho ko and I know the importance of hard work. Kaya nga I’m happy to be working with a seasoned director like Direk Joel in ‘Pamilya Roces’ because he helps instill good discipline in his actors.”

He is paired in “Pamilya Roces” with Gabbi Garcia. “She’s okay. We get along fine. Also with Jasmine Curtis Smith na kasama rin namin sa show. Another Kapuso actress I want to work is Kate Valdez, ang galing niya sa ‘Onanay’ and I’d also like to have the chance to work with her in the future.”

Some folks say he doesn’t need showbiz because he comes from a well-to-do family who owns a well known brand of ham. “Hindi naman pera lang ang habol ko rito. I’ve realized acting is really my passion at gusto ko talaga ang trabahong ito. Sa aming magkakapatid, it seems I’m the only one who’s willing to take over our family business. I’m not asking for it from my parents, but later, kung ibibigay nila sa’kin ang pamamahala noon, okay lang.”

So how about his lovelife? How is it doing now? “Nagka-girlfriend akong non-showbiz before, but wala na kami. As of now, it’s not my priority. Mas binibigyan ko ng importance ang health ko as I don’t wanna get sick again, also my family and, of course, my work. Kababalik ko pa lang at ngayon pa lang uli ako nakakabuwelo so ito muna ang pagbubutihin ko. I want to be the best actor that I can be. Nakakahiya pag pumalpak ako. Ayoko namang pagsisihan ng GMA na kinuha nila ako.”