DIEGO LOYZAGA is a true survivor.
It’s common knowledge that he had a meltdown a couple of years ago that made him leave “Los Bastardos” in ABS-CBN and he rested for a while. But now, he’s truly back with a vengeance after Viva signed him up. He’s now doing one project after another.
Among today’s young leading men, we daresay he’s one of the most promising. He has movie star good looks, he’s tall and well built, and more than anything else, he can act.
He is very convincing as a very disturbed young man who lives in a deadly fantasy world in Yam Laranas’ “Death of a Girlfriend”.
In the TV series, “Encounter”, he is able to hold his own against the very competent Cristine Reyes in a romance drama that gave them some very good acting scenes, as directed by Jeffrey Jeturian.
And now, he does comedy in Joel Lamangan’s “Bekis on the Run”, which has started streaming on Vivamax this weekend. Also, in Roman Perez' heist movie, 'House Tour' where he co-stars with Mark Anthony Fernandez, Cindy Miranda, Rafa Siguion Reyna and Sunshine Guimary.
Many people are now experiencing anxiety attacks because of the precarious situations caused by the ongoing pandemic. Mental health is a big issue and Diego can now share his own experiences about that dark period in his life.
“I’m glad na yung pinagdaanan ko was before the pandemic so, in a way, I can say na parang I’ve already prepared myself for difficult situations like what we’re now going through,” he says in an interview.
“I’ve learned to expect the unexpected, that things will not go your way all the time. Lalo na ngayon when the future seems so uncertain. May mga nangyayari nang biglaan na wala kang trabaho, lalo na sa mga may pamilya, problema nila kung ano ang ipapakain sa mga anak nila. I’m sure the whole country is undergoing through some kind of anxiety because of the pandemic.”
So how would he approach such problems now?
“First of all, it pays to have close family ties kasi you can always back on your family to help you. It also helps to have deep faith in God na alam mong makakapitan mo.”
He wants to be of help to people having anxiety problems.
“Some friends and I are thinking of starting a campaign on how to strengthen yourself in facing mental health issues. It’s really important to have a good support system and people you can talk with to help you sort out your thoughts and emotions when you’re feeling low.”
It’s good he has a good relationship with relatives on his mother’s side, the Loyzagas, and he also gets along well with his three half sisters with Sunshine Cruz.
“We hang out together, lalo ngayong sunod-sunod ang birthdays nila. First was Samantha, followed by Angelina, then Cheska.
'We’ve always been closed and they’re getting older na, with me as their Kuya who gives them advice lalo na ngayong their views and interests in life are changing as they become a bit more mature.
'I always tell them to follow their dreams, to be what they want to be. It’s not good to restrict them kasi masasakal naman sila and they have to learn on their own.”
He’s aware that he has other siblings with his dad, Cesar Montano and he is open to meeting them all someday.
“I’m really waiting for the time na ipakilala sila sa akin, sa amin. Basta kailangang open minded lang ang lahat and no one would get hurt or upset or anything.”
He’s happy to have done comedy like “Bekis on the Run” and "House Tour:.
“It was fun doing both films. Okay lahat ng co-stars ko, sina Christian Bables, Sean de Guzman, Lou Veloso and with Kylie Versoza as my leading lady in 'Bekis', with Direk Joel guiding us. And sina Mark Anthony Fernandez, Cindy Miranda, Rafa Siguion Reyna and Sunshin Guimary in 'House Tour'. I really enjoyed working with all of them.”
