ACTOR JM de Guzman is mighty proud of his ongoing TV series My Besfren Emman, produced by Spring Films and Numinous Narratives, and airing on TV5. The series, which is getting more viewership, has started its new season and continues to explore themes of faith and family, emotional and spiritual conflicts, resilience, renewal and redemption, and the many chances that life offers to those who are bent on moving forward with grace and dignity.
Perhaps the word that is best associated nowadays with JM these days is resilience. Resilience is the ability to accept, adapt, recover and move forward in the face of challenges and adversity. Experts reckon that it is also critical when it comes to the preservation of one’s mental health. It helps prevent stress from becoming too overwhelming, and allow us to process the difficult emotions and setbacks in a healthy way, thus building a stronger foundation for our emotional healing and well-being.
In JM’s case, the resilience he had in his core, which he wasn’t fully aware of in his past dark periods, helped him lay a strong defense against mental health issues like anxiety, bouts of self doubt, and depression. ‘I’ve learned that resilience is like muscle-the more you work at it, the stronger it gets,’ he said.
During his dark days in the past, JM knew that he had to do something, and he could do something. ‘There are always people out there who can help and who are more than willing to help, but I realized that it is also important that I should be the greatest ‘helper’ of myself. I knew I value this career, I knew that I can do more as an actor, that I possess a natural gift of acting, and I can pursue it further and improve myself to become the actor I want to be. So I buckled down and faced my struggles head-on.’
On top of his priorities was getting into shape again. JM started working out, he tried to learn mixed martial arts. He became conscious of what he ate, he selected the people he wanted to be around with, sought professional help and guidance, and strengthened his support system.
Slowly, his small steps translated into huge changes, and the people in the entertainment business that once rolled their eyes when his name was brought up in casting sessions noticed, the same people that gladly gave him many chances to bounce back and redeem himself.
‘I had many colorful episodes of ups and downs in both my personal life and professional career. I had to break patterns that didn’t do me good. I had to rise from many incidents of backsliding. But I’m glad life continues to give me many chances to regain my footing. And My Besfren Emman is a major blessing in my life!’ he shared.
He added, ‘I’m very happy that I am working with actors that inspire me, lift me up and push me forward, actors that I look up to and truly admire-Sid Lucero, Shaina Magdayao, Ai Ai de las Alas, and our new cast member Ms. Angel Aquino. They are my constant reminders that we have to always keep it real and be thankful for work, and be strong and kind and positive.’
Indeed, JM de Guzman has mastered the art of bending without breaking. He has learned that his resilience has given him strength to rise, adapt and come out of any situation a much stronger and better person, and all he needs is to find the grit to keep on showing up as he can push himself to always move forward, despite all of life’s inevitable tests, challenges and obstacles. Because that is powerful.