Get inspired by the back story of these famous celebrities in showbiz, now living a life of privilege and luxury, who had known a hard life, worked hard to survive, and to thrive ultimately.
PIOLO PASCUAL
Piolo Pascual was still in high school when he worked as as a waiter.
The celebrated Kapamilya hunk and actor turned producer was once long ago a security guard.
Piolo found fame and fortune after his portrayal of the role Brian in the Kapamilya hit series Esperanza with Judy Ann Santos.
Read: Piolo Pascual: Consummate filmmaker
ISABELLE DAZA
The ‘It Mom’ revealed she once worked as a service crew at McDonald’s because of her love for fast food.
In an episode of Gandang Gabi Vice aired on May 10, 2015, Isabelle said it was a difficult job, “Sobrang hirap, as in sobrang pagod.
"If you think our work is hard, you have to try their work. Eight hours kang nakatayo tapos lahat ng mga customers lagi nagmamadali tapos meron sila pagka-rude."
Isabelle is happily married to her French businessman Adrien Semblat. They have three kids: Baltie, 5; Valentin, 2; and their six-month-old daughter.
Recently, the fund-raising campaign she initiated for an abused domestic helper made headlines.
Read: Isabelle Daza to raise PHP300K for abused domestic helper
MARVIN AGUSTIN
Marvin had a long list of odd jobs as a driver, mascot, clerk, and waiter for Tia Maria in Alabang.
Now, the actor is one of the country's top restaurateurs.
On September 1, 2023, he expanded his business portfolio with the addition of a modern Indian kitchen and bar, Tango Tandoor.
Read: Marvin Agustin opens new Indian restobar; answers who he cooks for the most these days
GLOC-9
Gloc-9 hit the jackpot when he released the songs "Sirena," "Upuan," and "Magda."
But long before he delved into rapping, singing, and songwriting, he was Aristotle Pollisco of Binangonan, Rizal.
In a heartfelt Facebook post on September 1, 2020, he reflected on his 23-year journey from a shy, financially strapped kid from Binangonan with a passion for hip-hop but lacking in style and resources.
He wrote, "23 years ago may batang taga Binangonan, walang pera, mahiyain, manipis ang boses, hiphop head pero walang pang porma, masikip ang sapatos, walang pang gimik, nakikisabay lang sa mga kakilalang may oto, madalas nakajeep, bus o pag alat naglalakad."
Gloc-9 recounted working odd jobs to fund auditions and support his mom, while enduring rejections and skepticism about his rap career.
"Nag-service crew sa Bun on the run, little ceasars, tokyo tokyo, at french baker para may perang pang-tulong kay Nanay at pang-punta sa mga auditions, pero lagi namang olat.
"Nasabihan na ng 'hanggang diyan ka lang' at 'rapper ka lang.'"
Despite setbacks and skepticism, he persevered, and was grateful for his growth and achievements over two decades.
He wrote, "Pero kahit isang libong beses kong tinanong ang sarili ko kung kaya ko ba? Isang libo at isang beses kong sinagot na 'Oo kaya koito.'
"23 years ago may isang batang taga binangonan na nangarap. 23 years after gusto ko pong magpasalamat.
"MARAMING SALAMAT SA INYONG LAHAT MARAMING MARAMING SALAMAT!!! [emojis] #gloc9 #makatasapinas"
Read: Gloc-9, rapper for 25 years, stokes passion for OPM
REG RUBIO
Reg Rubio said he became part of the service crew of Wendy's in the late '90s after he was expelled from college.
The lead singer of the Filipino rock band Greyhoundz made the disclosure during a press conference in November 2022 for the Rock for Charity concert that he and his band headlined with Gloc-9.
Reg said then, "Nag-Wendy's din ako. Siguro earlier, mga '97 to '98.
"I got kicked out sa UST, sa engineering. So gusto ko bumawi sa tatay ko, nagtrabaho ako, nag-Wendy's ako, nag-crew ako.”
RICHARD GOMEZ
Richard Gomez was working as part of the service crew at McDonald's when he was discovered by the late talent manager, Douglas Quijano.
During his time at McDonald's, Richard even appeared in an '80s advertisement to get students to join the team.
Following his discovery, he made his acting debut in the 1984 movie Hindi Mo Ako Kayang Tapakan, marking the beginning of his successful acting career.
The award-winning actor has entered politics, and was mayor of Ormoc from 2016 to 2022 and has been the Representative of Leyte's 4th district since 2022.
His wife Lucy Marie Torres-Gomez is the incumbent mayor of Ormoc City and ex-congresswoman of the 4th district of Leyte.
Their only child, Juliana Gomez, is 23 years old.
Read: Are Richard Gomez, Lucy Torres prepared for possibility of daughter Juliana going solo?
RONNIE LIANG
Before Ronnie Liang became an actor-turned-pilot, he wore many hats as a water delivery man, service crew at McDonald’s, and salesperson at Video City to finish his studies.
In an exclusive interview with PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal), Ronnie shared his humble beginnings, mentioning how he balanced six jobs to fund his college education.
He recalled, "Nagwo-work ako ng umaga, nag-aaral ako ng gabi. If you're familiar sa Video City dati, ngayon kasi wala na... and sa McDonald's, nagde-deliver ako ng tubig.
"Yung salary ko before sa McDonald's was PHP18 per hour, Video City naman PHP20. Yung mga ganung struggles, just to finish my studies."
He added, "Nagtitinda ako ng herbal, facial products... 'Tapos pag weekends, kapag wala akong pasok or wala akong duty, rumarampa ako, yung ramp model.
"Lalakad ka lang ng five to ten minutes, they will pay you PHP1,500."
Read: Ronnie Liang pursues dream of becoming a pilot
YLONA GARCIA
Former Pinoy Big Brother housemate got her fans' attention after an Instagram post.
In 2020, Ylona uploaded a photo of herself at McDonald’s in Sydney, Australia, along with the caption: "Hey ya’ll, I decided to work at @mcdonaldsau. Feel free to come thru & I’ll serve you xx."
The comments section was then flooded with positive posts saying how humble and hardworking the Filipino-Australian singer-songwriter is.
Read: Ylona Garcia uses free time as fast-food server in Australia
Ylona has left her job at McDonald's in Australia, and has now moved to the United States, focusing on releasing music and working internationally with 88rising.
MARTIN NIEVERA
Before he was the Philippines’ Concert King, Martin was flipping burgers in their family-owned restaurant in Hawaii— but not for long.
The singer moved to Manila to pursue singing, and the rest is history.
Read: Martin Nievera, kakaiba ang itinuturing na highlight ng kanyang 40-year singing career
JERICHO ROSALES
With strings of successful TV series and movies under his belt like Pangako Sa 'Yo (2000), The Legal Wife (2014), and Bridges of Love (2015), it would be hard to imagine Jericho doing menial work.
Yet, at the tender age of 14, he took up several odd jobs to assist his parents in sustaining their modest family.
Jericho worked as a fish vendor at Marikina's Concepcion Market, a jeepney "barker," a service crew member at a pizza chain, and even a personal driver.
The Asian Drama King eventually catapulted into the spotlight as an actor and endorser after participating in the Mr. Pogi contest on Eat Bulaga! in 1996.
Read: Jericho Rosales: Marikina fish vendor turned Asia's Drama King
COCO MARTIN
He might be the King of Philippine Television now, but back when Coco was Rodel Nacianceno, he worked at Max's Restaurant in Fairview.
Coco was scouted in the restaurant while working as a server. He talked about his full-circle moment as he was introduced as its brand ambassador in 2013.
Unknown to many, the FPJ's Batang Quiapo actor and director also worked in Alberta, Canada, as a housekeeper and a janitor at a bingo parlor..
Read: Sinu-sino ang pangarap na makatrabaho ni Coco Martin?
TONY LABRUSCA
Tony is the son of actor Boom Labrusca and Angel Jones, member of the '90s hip-hop soul group Kulay.
Tony also got his start at fast-food chains in Canada.
The actor shared in an interview with talent manager Ogie Diaz, "Ang dami ko naging odd jobs dun. Nag-fast food ako sa McDo, nag-Wendy's din ako, pagkatapos nun, nag-retail naman ako. Naging head cashier ako sa Forever 21."
In the same interview, Tony was asked if he ever met a celebrity when he was still in Canada to which he mentioned Kapamilya actress Kathryn Bernardo.
He admitted to trying to make small talk with the actress during their first encounter.
Tony said, “Tinatanong ko siya kung, ‘Ikaw ba si Kathryn? Ikaw ba yung artista?’ tas nag ano lang siya sa akin [tumango] parang gusto na niya kasi bilhin yung jacket tapos ini-small talk ko pa siya.
"Yung RM niya at that time, parang naiinis din sa akin, kasi gusto lang yata nila bumili tapos umalis tapos chini-chika ko pa sila."
Tony then talked about his full-circle moment with Kathryn as he got the opportunity to work with her as the third wheel in the love triangle with Kathryn and Daniel Padilla in La Luna Sangre (2017).
He commented in the interview, “Nakakatuwa kasi parang naging foreshadowing din siya.”
Currently, Tony top bills ABS-CBN and TV5’s collaboration series titled Nag-aapoy Na Damdamin with Kapamilya stars JC De Vera, Jane Oineza, and Ria Atayde. This marks Tony’s television comeback after all the controversies he faced in 2021.
Read: Why Tony Labrusca's fans are crazy about him
JAK ROBERTO
Jak Roberto was hustling to provide for his family at a young age. His previous job experiences included painting tombstones in cemeteries and being part of a fast-food restaurant service crew.
Read: Jak Roberto reveals the "Judith" he and sister Sanya Lopez usually talk about
Now, he is one of the most prized Sparkle artists, and is currently starring in the new Kapuso action series, The Missing Husband.
READ MORE: