Mc Richard Paglicawan
Mika dela Cruz shared the profound reasons behind her decision to step away from the glitz and glamour of showbiz, shedding light on the challenges she faced as a former child star.
Mika, renowned as the sibling of Angelika dela Cruz and an alumna of the kiddie gag show ‘Goin’ Bulilit,’ delivered an emotional testimony during a worship event hosted by a Christian group at Victory Antipolo on November 19. Her candid sharing of the struggles encountered as a public figure has since garnered attention online.
“Tingin ng mga tao masaya, magarbo, madali ang buhay. Hindi naman namin napapakita kung ano ‘yung nangyayari behind it. Hindi nila alam na kinalakihan kong hanapin ‘yung identity ko sa mundo, sa ibang tao. This became the source of my restlessness. Alam ng pamilya ko ‘yan. I’ve been restless all my life,” expressed Mika, her emotions laid bare.
“Growing up, my mind was restless, my spirit was restless, my physical body was restless. I’ve never talked about this. The past four years were the worst years of my life. It was the hardest and the lowest point in my life, and nobody knew about it. Ito ‘yung masasabi ko na talagang sumadsad na ako,” Mika candidly shared.
Even those close to her were unaware of how to offer support. The passing of her father due to COVID and his subsequent diagnosis of “multiple serious health conditions,” including an autoimmune disease caused by constant stress, profoundly affected her.
“Bitbit ko ‘yun simula nung pagkabata pa ako kaya nag-manifest na siya sa katawan ko. Lumabas na siya. Bumigay na ‘yung katawan.”
In addition to her physical struggles, Mika underwent a “major identity crisis,” ultimately leading her to decide to exit the entertainment industry.
“I also couldn’t continue school anymore kasi my thyroid health affected my brain and my memory. Pumapasok ako sa school hindi ko na naiintindihan. Three hours nakikinig ako sa professor, tatanungin ako as simple takeaway from today’s class, ni wala akong mabanggit. Apektado po lahat sa akin… I wasn’t living anymore. I was merely existing. Andiyan na lang ako, inaagos na lang ako. Kung ano mangyari, wala na. Lahat ng dreams, hopes, love, joy, wala na akong passion na natira sa heart ko.”
Amidst her struggles, Mika continually prayed for a breakthrough from God due to her exhaustion. Her friends eventually encouraged her to join the Victory Christian Fellowship, marking a turning point toward what she described as “powerful healing” and the “transformation only Jesus Christ can bring into a person’s life.”
This profound change became evident when a doctor cleared her of one of the “incurable diseases” she had been battling since 2015.
“He definitely moves when you decide. The decision has to come from you. When you decide to make room for Him.”
Mika’s journey began in the entertainment industry at a tender age, notably joining the cast of ‘Goin’ Bulilit’ in 2005. Over the years, she featured in various television shows and movies, including ‘Mara Clara,’ ‘Alyna,’ ‘Nasaan Ka Elisa?,’ and ‘All of Me.’
In 2016, Mika made a transition from ABS-CBN to GMA Network, participating in several successful GMA shows like ‘Kara Mia,’ ‘The Lost Recipe,’ and ‘The Fake Life.’ However, her recent revelation sheds light on the personal struggles and health challenges she faced during this period.
