There are various reasons for embarking on a new journey in a foreign land—to work, study, seek better quality of life or career opportunity, join their loved ones.
Read: 10 Filipino celebrities now based in Australia
Here are six Pinoy celebrities who have swapped the glitzy world of Philippine showbiz for new careers, better chances, or quieter lives in Europe.
SPENCER REYES
Spencer Reyes, the former Streetboys heartthrob who captured many hearts, is now toughing it out in Scotland as a bus driver.
In a 2020 interview with PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal), Spencer shared he was studying nursing in England back in 2008 before taking a leap to Scotland in 2014 with his family.
There, he enrolled in a vocational school, excelled in his exams, and later secured a bus driving license.
Talking to GMA Public Affairs in December 2022 during a vacation in the country with his family, their first after seven years, Spencer opened up about the tough parts of his job driving a bus
He said, "Sa una, mahirap talaga. Mag-start ako ng 4 [a.m.]... Pero I have to wake up at around 2:30 in the morning."
Spencer struggled to hold back tears as he recalled moments when he had to handle difficult passengers.
The former actor said, "Minsan may di nagbabayad, young bigla na lang uupo.
"Minsan may nagwawala, tatawag na lang ako sa pulis. Napapaiyak ako... mahirap, mahirap."
Read:
- Spencer Reyes reunites with former loveteam partner Ice Seguerra
- Streetboys member Spencer Reyes, bus driver na ngayon sa Scotland; nagbalik-tanaw sa love team with Ice Seguerra
RACHELLE ANN GO
Award-winning singer and theater actress Rachelle Ann Go left the country in 2014 when she was cast as Gigi in the London staging of Miss Saigon.
The following year, she played the iconic role of Fantine in the West End production of Les Miserables during its Asian tour.
By this time, Rachelle Ann was in and out of the country and making headway as a performing artist abroad.
From 2017 to 2019, she took on the role of Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton in the West End production of Hamilton.
Rachelle also joined the Broadway revival of Miss Saigon in 2017, the year she would meet her future husband Martin Spies in New York.
Rachelle and Martin tied the knot in April 2018, in Boracay.
They have settled in their new home in Greenwich, London, and are now the happy parents of two-year-old Lukas and two-month-old baby girl Sela.
Rachelle will be gracing the Philippine stage once again to reprise her role as Eliza in the Hamilton Manila run at The Theater at Solaire in Parañaque City, starting September 17, 2023.
Read:
CINDY KURLETO
In November 2007, former actress Cindy Kurleto told PEP.ph that she bid local showbiz adieu to hie off to Peru with her British-Bajan boyfriend, who is now her husband, Daniel Joseph Navalia for "greener pastures."
In 2016, she went back to her hometown in Vienna, Austria with her family, because her father was very sick, and she wanted to take care of him.
After stepping out of the spotlight 11 years ago, Cindy, on a visit to the country, made guest appearances on Eat Bulaga! for its March 9, 2019 episode and on the Kapamilya series Make It with You in 2020.
Cindy and Daniel now have two beautiful daughters: Noa, 13, and Lima, 7.
Read:
- A peek inside Cindy Kurleto's home in Vienna, Austria
- Cindy Kurleto teaches daughter to love her Pinay features
AJ DEE
Angelo James Dee III, a.k.a. AJ Dee, the older brother of Enchong Dee, has had his fair share of challenges living abroad.
In 2016, AJ and his Filipino-Norwegian wife Olga Havran decided to move to Norway with their children Maximus James and Alexandros Jaden.
In his first year in the country, AJ started a longganisa business, he revealed in the report of Marco Camas for TFC News.
Shortly thereafter, he opened his own clothing brand called St. James Oslo, which specializes in tailor-made pants and suits.
In his interview with Marco, AJ said, "I'm very proud to offer our craftsmanship. Filipinos are not known for making suits but this one, I'm pretty sure na this would offer something special than what you see in the market in Oslo."
In July 2023, AJ and Olga returned to the Philippines for their wedding.
They have two sons: Maximus James and Alexandros Jaden.
Read:
- AJ Dee finds success as businessman in Norway after leaving showbiz
- AJ Dee to quit showbiz and migrate to Norway: "I’m willing to give it up dahil sa family."
BANGS GARCIA
In October 2017, Bangs Garcia and her Filipino-British husband Lloydi Birchmore permanently moved to England two months before the birth of their first child, Amelia.
Before permanently relocating to London, Bangs and Lloyd had three weddings: a civil ceremony in England in 2016, a church wedding that same year, and a Boracay wedding in January 2017.
They now have two daughters, the younger one is two-year-old Isabella.
In her interview with Magandang Buhay last May 2022, Bangs revealed that she and her family are situated in Berkshire, a county located an hour west of London.
About their life in Berkshire, Bangs described it as relatively "uptight" in contrast to the more "dynamic" lifestyle in Manila.
She said, "Doon, mas maaga talaga natutulog yung mga tao. Yung mga bata, dapat 7 p.m. nasa bed na.
"So nahihiya kami kapag yung mga kids namin, 9 p.m. natutulog.
"Sabi ko, 'Hay, naku, kailangan baguhin na natin ito!'
"E, wala, e. Kami, late din kami matulog so siguro mga 9, 8 p.m. na yung pinakamaaga na yun!"
Based on her recent Instagram updates, Bangs is still a full-time mom to her daughters and, occasionally, she takes on gigs in Filipino shows there.
RENEE HAMPSHIRE A.K.A. ATE GLOW
Rene Boy Facunla, popularly known as Ate Glow in her former life in the Philippines as showbiz entertainer, rose to fame in the early 2000s for her hilarious impersonation of the former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
She now goes by the name Renee Hampshire and has relocated to London, England, with her British husband, known to the public only as Mr. Hampshire, after they got married on July 2, 2016.
Renee related this in a previous interview with PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) that following her initial encounter with Mr. Hampshire in 2013, they had sustained their communication through Facebook, and this developed into romance.
Mr. Hampshire conveyed a sincere message to his wife during an unexpected video appearance on Magandang Buhay in October 2016.
He told Renee, "It's a pleasure to be able to call you my wife. I'm so very proud of you and I love you very much.
"We have a fantastic connection and have done since day one. We really embrace our similarities and differences and it makes us a very strong couple together.
"I look forward to seeing you very soon in London, been waiting for you every day. We'll see you here soon and as always, darling, I love you today. I love you tomorrow. I love you forever."
Read:
- Ate Glow dismisses critics after marrying British boyfriend: "My happiness is my business."
- PEP EXCLUSIVE. Ate Glow: 'Pag nagmahal ka, walang kasarian yun.'
From their TV appearances in 2016 until 2017, Renee and her husband have maintained a low-key relationship, choosing to share only a few cherished moments on Instagram.
Judging by her recent Instagram updates, Renee has been embracing life to the fullest.
She has been to various travel destinations with her husband, exploring the wonders of places like Venice and Greece, and more recently in Boracay and Bohol.
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