"True happiness is priceless," the age-old saying goes.
And this is what actress Andi Eigenmann has learned after a year-long hiatus from showbiz.
On June 22, Friday, during the press conference of her latest movie, The Maid in London, the 28-year-old VIVA talent proudly said that she's now a resident of Baler, Aurora.
Members of the press including TV5's MJ Marfori had the chance to talk to Andi about her life in Baler in a separate interview.
Andi said she sold almost every thing—her car and her designer items—to finally pursue her life-long dream.
The celebrity mom said, "I don't know... I went like... I sold everything that I felt was an idea of luxury that I didn't need.
"I don’t own cars, I don't own any designer clothes, bags—lahat ng mga pang-artistang ‘yan, makeup. Lahat 'yan wala na.
"Kahit mga kasama sa bahay—yaya, driver—wala na lahat. Talagang simple life."
GENUINE HAPPINESS. When asked why Andi decided to let go of these material things, the actress said it was one of her ways to live a stress-free life.
Andi explained, "Because I felt that this was one of the reasons why or nag-contribute sa pagiging toxic ng buhay ko.
"I was young when I entered showbiz, and I feel like it's normal for any teenager to feel lost.
"It's just that I was lost in front of cameras, in front of everybody's eyes.
"But as I grew older, I became more mature enough to figure out what I want for myself.
"Na-realize ko, itong mga bagay na 'to, kaya siguro ako sobrang hindi naging masaya, kasi it's not who I am.
"So when I let it go, and once I let it go, I found genuine happiness.
"And as much as my life is probably not as extravagant—nothing close to my life before—I couldn't be any happier."
What was left from her things in Manila?
Andi said, "Yung furniture ko lang, yung gamit ko sa bahay. Yung mga hindi, siguro... yung hindi magagara.
"Like puro mga sapatos ko ngayon parang puro sneakers and rubber shoes na lang, pantalon, T-shirt, bathing suit."
THE SIMPLE LIFE. Andi proudly said she's living life pretty much like an ordinary person.
When asked how she goes around Manila, she revealed, "I commute in Manila and it's so hard! Grab, my god, step your game up!"
Do people recognize her?
Andi answered, "I say hi! Actually, most of the time people don't... hindi sila sigurado kung ako ba talaga.
"[Sabi ko], 'Okay, problema mo na... bahala ka na.'"
Andi decided to buy a lot in Baler, and has started building her house.
She told the press, "Simple lang po talaga, maliit lang siya na bahay pero malaki lang yung garden.
"Ako na siguro yung magpa-plant ng sarili kong vegetables."
Andi is currently renting a place in Baler while waiting for her house to be finished.
She also clarified that her decision to move to Baler wasn't something that she would want people of her age to imitate.
But the actress has one important advice to them.
She said, "Hindi naman, it's not that I want to influence people to do the same.
"Kasi kanya-kanya... iba-iba naman tayo. Parang ayoko naman pakialaman yung trip ng iba.
"Para sa akin lang, kung hindi ka masaya, hindi ka masaya.
"Huwag mo ipilit... huwag mo ipilit na yung sarili mo sa isang bagay na hindi na nakakapagpasaya sa 'yo.
"Para sa akin, ang importante yun."
Watch the full interview here: