Alden Richards' redemption and renewal

Despite a steady stream of high-profile projects and a familiar, polished presence on television, Alden Richards was actually dealing with something that wasn't visible to the public eye in recent months.

- By NEIL RAMOS

As he continued hosting, acting, and appearing in front of cameras, he was also going through what he now describes as one of the most difficult periods of his life.

"I think last year, that was my lowest year," Richards said in a recent interview with GMA Integrated News.

According to the actor, his struggles weren't caused by any single event, but by a pattern of giving too much of himself to others and not enough to his own wellbeing.

"Just to validate everything that's happening in my life right now — that was the reason," he said.

"Kung meron pang mas mababa sa rock bottom, I was there."

Richards talked candidly about the psychological weight of that time, describing a mental fog where even the support of loved ones wasn't enough to bring clarity.

"Yung times kasi na you're clouded with a lot of negative thoughts, andyan yung mga taong nagmamahal sa 'yo pero hindi mo ma-proseso nang tama 'yung pag-iisip mo. It's very hard to be present... yung nandito ka pero wala ka dito."