PHOTO: Instagram/mama_the_explorer

The recent victories of our athletes in the Olympics has left some of us, if not most, contemplating our life choices and our own journeys of hard work and victory. After all, with all the prizes and incentives awaiting Carlos Yulo? We can’t help but rethink our decisions in life as well. Paula Peralejo-Fernandez included!

In a recent Instagram Reel, Paula, a former actress and sister of Rica Peralejo-Bonifacio, shared her personal reflections on Carlos’ Olympic triumph and disclosed the true reason behind her departure from showbiz in 2004.

Paula Peralejo On Why She Left Showbiz

Paula made a half-serious comment about possibly returning to the entertainment industry, inspired by the rewards Carlos has received. This led to an eye-opening conversation about the realities of showbiz—and it’s not always the glitz and glamorous world we imagine.

“Not a joke in the sense that—for someone to earn every Olympic Gold Medalist Carlos Yulo is getting now after his wins—is something celebrities can also get without the need for years of sweat, blood, and tears. At least not in the way our Filipino athletes do,” Paula recounted.

“We have athletes almost giving up because of the lack of support—not only financially, but OUR support as a nation (count me in [sad face emoji]).” she added.

Paula highlighted that while actors and actresses in the limelight often receive substantial rewards, specifically money, there are people behind the scenes who don’t get the same recognition or financial support despite putting in the same hard work.

“This is not to bash celebrities at all! I respect their work, and I know they also give up a lot in return of everything they get. But this is also an eye-opener. More of a re-eye-opener, a reminder of one of the reasons I left in 2004—of how unfair it seemed that we were getting so much, but that the people who worked with us, slept less than us, went home the same as us—earned way less,” Paula expressed.

“No wonder people really want to be in the showbusiness here. I gave it up back when I didn’t think about money. But looking back, if I did back then, maybe I would have sucked it all. Who knows? It’s easy to tell our athletes: ‘O, don’t be an artista now that you’re famous!’ but can we really blame them?” she added.

instagram/mama_the_explorer

At the end of the day, those who put in the hard work had to defy the harsh realities they are confronted with—whether it’s in the entertainment business or in the field of sports. It’s beyond the fame, recognition, and *clout*. It’s about the support, both in moral and financial form.

Paula’s reflections, though lighthearted in tone, underscore the harsh reality about the disparities faced by those who work hard in any and every industry. Def something to thinm about for all of us!