Former actor Paulie Yllana is facing one of the toughest chapters of his life today: dealing with lingering health problems and financial difficulties.
But before finding himself struggling to walk and asking the public for help, Paulie had already lived several careers — from showbiz and engineering to politics.
On October 1, 2026, Paulie sat down with veteran broadcaster Julius Babao for a candid interview on the latter's YouTube channel, where he reflected on the many turns his life has taken through the years.
PAULIE YLANNA: SHOWBIZ CAREER
Paulie first entered show business in the 1990s as part of the popular youth-oriented program Ang TV.
He recalled being brought to an audition by his older brother, actor-host Anjo Yllana, only to discover that he had been handpicked for the show by ABS-CBN executive Johnny Manahan, more popularly known as Mr. M.
Paulie told Julius: "One time, nilapitan ako ni Anjo. Sabi ni Anjo, 'Halika sama ka sa akin.' E, father figure, e, kasi nung bata pa lang kami.
"Malamang alam na ng mga tao yung story ni Anjo. Bata pa lang siya, siya na yung tumaguyod sa amin na maging tatay, tatay figure.
"Pag may gustong pagawa sa yo, [he] doesn't need to explain. 'Halika, punta tayo sa ganito.' Sunod lang. Sunod ako."
He further recalled: "Nagulat ako. Pumunta kami sa isang lugar na may audition. Tapos may mga upuan na parang sine...
"Pagpunta ko doon, handpick pala ako ni Mr. M. Siguro sila na ni Anjo nag-usap.
"E, kasi mabait naman si Anjo tsaka pagkausap sila, parang tropa. Parang tropa-tropa lang sila. Baka sila na nag-usap."
Paulie became part of the defunct youth-oriented gag show Ang TV (1992-1997) and remained with the program for about two to four years.
"Start ako sa merong kids, merong teens. Kami yung teens.
"E, kami nga ni Jay Manalo ang pinakamatanda doon. Pero si Jay, parang manager niya, maraming plans for him. Saglit lang din si Jay doon."
During his time in the entertainment industry, Paulie also appeared in films such as Hindi Kita Malilimutan (1993) starring Aga Muhlach and Carmina Villarroel, as well as Barkada Walang Atrasan (1995).
Despite the opportunities, Paulie admitted that he never fully fit the mold of a typical showbiz personality, unlike his brother Anjo which is the reason he think's why didn't last lon in the industry.
"Ganoon naman ang showbiz. Kailangan mong sakyan e.
"Ako kasi hindi e. Straightforward ako e. What you see is what you get. Suplado pa ako no'ng time na yun.
"Kasi ako, ang pananaw ko no'n, wala naman akong kailangan e. Kahit kanino wala akong kailangan. Kaya okay lang. Lagi akong walang pakelang.
He added, "Kaya rin hindi ako nagtagal. Kasi siguro, yun nga hindi angkop sa showbiz yung personality ko."
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PAULIE: BACK TO SCHOOL
As acting projects became less frequent, Paulie decided to focus on his education.
He enrolled in Aeronautical Engineering at PATTS College of Aeronautics, believing it was the right time to prepare for a future outside show business.
Paulie recalled: "Mga year 2000 plus pa, kasi yung year 2000 plus, doon ako nag-start mag-college...
"Kasi sabi ko parang medyo matumal yung mga offers, siguro it's the perfect time for me to study."
His journey through college, however, was not without challenges. A serious back injury during his third year left him bedridden and forced him to delay his studies.
After recovering, he returned to school, took summer classes, and eventually completed the program.
Although he earned his degree, Paulie chose not to pursue a career in the aviation industry.
By the time he graduated, he was already in his early 30s and had learned that many airlines preferred younger applicants for entry-level positions.
As a result, he decided not to take the Aeronautical Engineering board examinations, believing it would no longer lead to the career path he originally envisioned.
"Nalaman ko may age limit pala, pagpasok mo sa airline. Hindi lang yung age limit na patanda, age limit pabata.
"So minimum nilang kinukuha was twenty-eight. Nung graduate ako, I was thirty-two then.
"Sabi ko, sayang naman kung mag-board exam pa ako," Paulie said.
PAULIE YLANNA: ENTERING POLITICS
Instead, Paulie found another path in public service and politics.
Over the years, he became involved in the political offices of his brothers before eventually deciding to seek public office himself.
He first ran for a local position in Quezon City in 2019 but was unsuccessful.
In the 2025 elections, Paulie ran for councilor while his brother, Anjo Yllana, sought the vice-mayoralty post.
The campaign, however, came at a considerable financial cost.
Recalling the experience, Paulie said: "Actually, kami ni Anjo magkasama kami nagsi-spend.
"We're in the same boat kaya nga medyo kami nagkahiwala kasi siya naman nandoon siya sa family niya ngayon.
"Which is buti naman andyan yung family niya para anuhin niya.
"Ako yung medyo naiwan kasi wala naman akong pupuntahan. Wala akong family. Ako lang mag-isa."
The loss also took an emotional toll on him, although he eventually learned to accept the outcome.
"Magsisinungaling naman ako kung sasabihin ko hindi ako naging bitter at malungkot. Siyempre, nakakalungkot, masakit.
"Minsan nga kinikwestiyon ko si Lord. Sabi ko, 'Lord, ang hangarin ko naman eh maganda. Gusto kong tumulong sa mga tao. Pag ako nagkaroon ng trabaho, gusto kong tulungan yung nanay ko na... medyo may sakit na rin ang time na 'yon.
"Sabi ko, 'Lord, ba't ganito? Eh, meron nga diyan iba, gaya ngayon nauuso...
"E, ang corrupt-corrupt. Kumukuha ng pera sa gobyerno. Wala naman kaming ganung balak. Sabi ko, 'Ba't ganito, Lord?'
"Ganun lang. Ta's medyo, siyempre masakit. As much as possible ayaw kong nagsasalita ng about what happened.
"Tanggapin mo, pero masakit."
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PAULIE YLANNA: HEALTH ISSUES
It was also during the 2025 election campaign that Paulie began noticing changes in his health.
Although he remained active on the campaign trail, he said he no longer felt as physically strong as he once had.
"Meron na akong nararamdaman noon in the sense na nararamdaman ko hindi na ako kasing-lakas noong dati.
"Yung naglalakad kami, medyo napapagod na ako. Pag sobrang layo na nung lakad, e, pagod na pagod na ako talaga. Hindi gaya dati, hindi naman ako napapagod sa lakad.
"Yun nga, nagkaroon ng hardships... kasama na doon siyempre yung gutom. Minsan hindi kumakain.
"Parang lately nung na-hospitalize ako, parang hindi ako nagkakain masyado. Besides gana, wala ring means."
After the elections, his condition gradually worsened.
Paulie recalled one incident when he suddenly lost his sense of direction and collapsed while leaving his home.
"Palabas ako ng bahay. Una, may pupuntahan daw ako sabi ng driver ko. Sabi ko, hindi ko... hindi ko matandaan.
"Sabi niya, 'Sir, sa'n ka ba pupunta?' Nun time na yon, sabi ko, 'Hindi ko alam.'
"Pero naglalakad ako. Hindi ko rin alam kung saan ako papunta.
"Bigla akong natumba. Sinubukan ko tumayo, tumba ako nang tumba.
"Parang yung mga usa na bagong panganak. Di ba, paglabas, tumba, tumba.
"Yun nga, nakita ako ng mga kapitbahay namin. Buti mabait yung mga kapitbahay. Tinulungan ako, binuhat ako, inupo ako doon sa loob ng bahay.
"Ta's yun na, doon nga ako tinatanong ng driver ko, 'Sa'n ka ba papunta, Sir?'
"Hindi, hindi ako makasagot. Bumili sila ng ano... ng Pocari. Umiinom-inom ako."
His neighbors and driver eventually brought him to the hospital, where he underwent a series of tests.
According to Paulie, he was diagnosed with sepsis (blood poisoning] and potassium deficiency, which required him to stay in the hospital for approximately one and a half months.
"Ni-rush nila ako sa hospital. Ganun yung nangyari. E, ang daming test.
"Nalaman ko, dahil kahit papaano naka-nakita ko rin yung chart ko, na ang sakit ko talaga was sepsis. Blood poisoning.
"Tapos meron akong potassium deficiency. Tapos, one and a half months ako bedridden sa hospital.
"So, hindi ko alam which contributed to that. Kasi potassium deficiency, may chance na pwedeng hindi ka makalakad pag sobrang lala, same with sepsis."
PAULIE YLLANA: FINANCIAL STRUGGLES
Following a costly election campaign, a lack of steady work, and mounting health problems, Paulie eventually found himself struggling financially.
While recovering from his hospitalization, he initially tried to endure his situation on his own, hoping he could still manage despite his dwindling resources.
"Nung nagpapagaling ako, nagtataka ako bakit sobrang bagal. Dati medyo okay pa ako financially kahit papaano na... nagagastusan ko yung sarili ko.
"Tapos yung time na yun, sabi ko, 'Tiis-tiis na lang muna ako...'
"Kaya ko pa naman, e. Pag hindi ko na kaya, tsaka ako hihingi ng tulong sa maraming tao."
For months, Paulie chose to keep his struggles private.
However, when he reached a point where he could no longer pay his bills, he decided to turn to social media and ask for help.
"Sabi ko, 'Hindi nga ako nagsasalita, e. Tahimik lang ako. Hindi ako nagsasabi kahit kanino.'
"Pero nung nahirapan na ako, doon nila ako narinig kasi, Sir, hindi ko gawain mag-post. Yung time na yun, nag-post ako.
"Sabi ko, uhm, yun nga. Humihingi, humihingi ako ng tulong.
"Sana matulungan ako kasi kahit yung bills ko, hindi ako nakakabayad, which is yun yung frustrating.
"Uhm, sabi ko, 'Sana matulungan niyo ako.'"
In a Facebook post on September 23, 2026, Paulie published a lengthy open letter detailing his financial situation, including his daily expenses, household bills, medical needs, and plans for therapy.
The former actor said he was overwhelmed by the response and touched by the support he received from friends and even strangers.
"E, ito nga, ngayong linggo, di ko na alam saan ako huhugot nung sa bills ko, e. So, nanawagan na.
"E, nakakatuwa naman kasi maliban sa friends mo, marami rin palang gustong tumulong sa akin.
"Ang laging nga nilang tanong, e, 'Sorry wala ako diyan.' Sabi ko, 'Hindi, okay lang, kasi ako, yung choice ko yung manahimik dati.'"
Thanks to the assistance he has received, Paulie said he now hopes to finally return to the hospital for a much-needed medical evaluation.
Since being discharged nearly a year ago, he has not been able to undergo follow-up checkups because of financial constraints.
"Yun nga, e, because of financial difficulty, hindi ako nakapa-checkup. Since December 29.
"Ngayon, e, may mga nakatulong naman sa akin kahit papaano. I really mean to get checked up."
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PAULIE YLLANA ON BROTHERS ANJO, RYAN, AND JOMARI
Despite his current hardships, Paulie stressed that his brothers Anjo, Ryan, and Jomari Yllana have done what they could to help him through his ordeal.
According to Paulie, Anjo has occasionally provided financial assistance, even while dealing with his own personal struggles.
"Actually si Anjo, nag-uusap kami. Sometimes nag-aabot si Anjo konti-konti.
"Uhm, nalulungkot nga yun kasi nasabi niya sa akin dati, sabi niya, 'Sorry, gusto ko talaga tumulong sa yo pero wala rin akong malabas, e.'
"Yun nga, may kaso siya, mabigat din yung pinagdadaanan niya.
"E, naintindihan ko na kasi ugali ni Anjo lalo na sa amin, matulungin yan, e. Gusto niya nakakatulong siya.
"Pag hindi siya makatulong sa yo, madi-depress yan.
"E, nung time na yun, nung nag-usap kami, nararamdaman ko, e, hindi nga talaga siya makatulong. Hinayaan ko na, dinrop ko na kasi malulungkot lang yung tao."
Meanwhile, Ryan and Jomari helped shoulder his hospital expenses.
"Si Ryan, si Jomari, naghati sila for my hospital expenses. E, meron rin family yung dalawa.
"So naisip ko, nakatulong na sila enough. Marami na silang natulong.
"So siguro it's time to ask help from other people.
"So, hindi ko na rin sila inoobliga. Humingi akong tulong sa iba."
Paulie added that his brothers continue to check on him despite their busy schedules.
"Oo naman, paminsan. Hindi punta kasi medyo busy yung dalawa, e. Sila, sila yung may work tsaka laging on the go.
"Pero kahit papaano tinatawagan naman ako, kinukumusta ako.
"Kung hindi sila, kung hindi nila kaya, yung staff tatawagan ako, 'Kumusta kayo, Sir Paul? Anong kailangan niyo diyan, Sir?' Ganun."
Why Paulie Hasn't Seen His Mother in a Year
While his siblings are aware of his situation, Paulie revealed that he and his family have intentionally kept his condition from their mother, Vicky Garchitorena-Yllana, who is dealing with serious health issues of her own.
Paulie lived with his mother before they were separated during the 2025 campaign season.
"For fifteen years kasama ko yung nanay ko," he shared with Julius.
"Nahiwalay lang kami kasi I had to work sa Calamba, yung campaigning with Anjo.
"Tapos she had to be here in Parañaque kasi noong nagpa-checkup siya, meron na nakita yung doktor na kailangan mag-stay pa siya sa hospital.
"Kaya doon kami nahiwalay."
According to Paulie, his mother has dementia and is currently undergoing dialysis after complications from an earlier illness.
"Kaming magkapatid nagkasunduan, Mommy can't see me like this.
"Kasi ang diagnosis kay Mommy, my mom's okay. May dementia.
"Tapos, e, hindi ko lang maalala kung anong nangyari sa kanya, pero when she... when she was hospitalized nung January, nag-comatose, Sir.
"Na ginamitan siya ng malakas na gamot na nung sinaksak sa kanya, naapektuhan naman yung kidneys. So, nagda-dialysis na siya ngayon."
Doctors advised the family to protect her from unnecessary stress, which is why Paulie has chosen to stay away while he focuses on his recovery.
"So sabi ng doktor, hindi dapat namin binibigyan ng unnecessary stress. Dapat happy, happy lang siya.
"Kasi minsan depending sa mood niya... yung health niya.
"Kung medyo depressed siya or medyo stressed, sad, baka puwedeng may mangyari sa kanya na maging serious yung nararamdaman niya. Tapos lumala ang sakit niya.
"So, nagkasunduan kami, Mommy can't see me like this.
"Simula nung na-hospitalize ako. E, gusto kong makita si Mommy pero I know masi-stress si Mommy pag nakita ako."
Julius then asked Paulie for a message for his mom.
Fighting the urge to cry, he said: "I love you. Tagal ko na hindi nasabi. Yun.
"Siyempre, I love you. Baka kasi isipin niya hindi ako bumibisita kasi ayaw ko o kaya nagmamatigas lang uli ako ng ulo.
"Pero every day, kung alam lang nila, alam lang ng Diyos na gusto ko siyang puntahan every day."
He added, "Ganun ka simple, Sir. Hindi naman kailangan ng maraming tse tse boreche para sabihin sa nanay ko."
Paulie added: "Ma, magtagal ka pa ng six years, bibigyan kita one million after six years," saying he plans tio achieve this goal by investing if he gets a chance.
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PAULIE YLLANA: REDISCOVERING FAITH
The challenges Paulie faced also led him to rediscover his faith.
Although he comes from a religious family, Paulie admitted that spirituality was not a major part of his daily life before he got sick.
"I wasn't religious although religious yung family ko," Paulie shared.
"I believe in Him. I like Him. I talk to Him sometimes pero hindi yung madalas. Hindi yung talagang mataimtim na talagang sinsero ka."
That changed after his hospitalization, when a close friend began sending him Bible verses and reflections every day.
"Ngayon, after what happened to me, yung best friend ko always sends me scriptures every day. Tapos meron pa reflection.
"Nag-start, nagbabasa ako. Nagbabasa ako. Tapos I rarely miss Mass tuwing Sunday, kahit hindi ako umaalis.
"So siguro nag-change yung pagiging relihiyoso ko."
Paulie said his faith became even more important during moments when he felt overwhelmed by his situation, particularly when he was struggling with unpaid bills and financial uncertainty.
"Actually marami pa nga akong natututunan, e, like yung pinaka-recent ko natutunan, there was one time medyo sinisingil ako, sumama yung loob ko.
"Kinakausap ko si Lord, may sumbat pa nga, e. Sabi ko, 'Lord, bakit ako nagkakaganito? Ba't ako naihirapan? Mismong bills ko hindi ko mabayaran. Tapos pinagpapala Niyo yung mga masasamang tao.'
"I don't... I don't pray anymore. Not because of masama akong tao. Not because ayaw ko. But because nahihiya ako.
"Kasi sa experience ko, Sir, pag nagdadasal ako, lagi akong humihingi, e.
"Parang nahihiya na ako. Sabi ko, 'Hihingi na naman ako.' Di, hindi ko kinakausap."
However, the scriptures his friend shared eventually gave him a different perspective.
"E, ang dami ngang scriptures pinadadala yung best friend ko, so nababasa ko.
"Ang nakalagay doon, sabi ni Lord, e, para matulungan kaNiya, you need to ask. You only need to ask help. Ask help from Him."
Paulie recalled reaching a point where he finally surrendered his worries to God and prayed for guidance.
"So, yung time nga na medyo time of weakness ko... naiinis ako sa kanya, nagtatampo ako. Nagdadasal ako noon. Nagluluto si Sheila noon, e.
"Tapos, e gusto niya na mag-react. Kasi yan pag na... yung masama yung sinasabi ko, nagagalit din siya, kasi masyado akong nega.
"Huwag raw masyadong nega, positive. E, marami akong sinasabi, pero alam niya nagdadasal ako kaya hinayaan niya ako.
"Alam mo nangyari, Sir Julius? Humingi nga ako ng tulong. Kasi sabi ko, 'Hindi ko na alam ang gagawin ko. Kayo na bahala.'
"Which is nakalagay sa scriptures. Yung lahat ng pasanin mo, ibigay mo sa Kanya and He'll do the rest."
Shortly afterward, Paulie posted an online appeal for assistance and was overwhelmed by the response he received.
"That next day, madaling-araw, gumawa kami ng letter, pinost ko, ayun na yung sagot ko. Marami nag-react.
"Kaya nga, Sir, ang galing, di ba? Ang galing ni Lord."
PAULIE YLLANA: GRATEFUL AND BIGGEST WISH
Ultimately, Paulie expressed his heartfelt gratitude to everyone who supported him through one of the most challenging chapters of his life.
He was especially thankful to his brothers, Anjo, Jomari, and Ryan, for the help they extended during his illness and recovery.
"Thank you. Thank you sa pick up kasi when I was down, you picked me up. Uhm, thank you for the love na binibigay niyo kahit hindi tayo nagkikita araw-araw."
Paulie also thanked the friends, supporters, and even complete strangers who responded to his Facebook post and offered assistance when he finally opened up about his situation.
Because of their help, he was able to settle some of his overdue expenses and make plans to prioritize his health once again.
He said: "Sabihin natin medyo substantial na nabayaran ko yung pagkukulang ko dito sa unit ko.
"Tapos puwede akong magpa-checkup. Tapos puwede ko i-try na to eat healthy.
"Kasi before, I used to eat to fill myself up para mabusog. Para matagal yung mga food.
"Pero ngayon, parang it's not doing it for me anymore, e. Parang kakakain ko pa lang, nagugutom na ako agad.
"So siguro I could try eating healthy. Baka it might help. Baka lang. Hindi natin alam."
Toward the end of the interview, Paulie once again thanked those who reached out after reading his public appeal.
"Maraming salamat po para doon sa mga taong nakabasa noong, uhm, pinost ko na letter namin.
"Actually, tinulungan ako noong ni Sheila, noong tagabantay ko, tagaalaga.
"Maraming salamat sa mga nakabasa. Maraming salamat po sa gustong tumulong. Lalo maraming salamat sa makakatulong."
Despite everything he has gone through, Paulie said there is still one blessing he continues to pray for: the chance to see his mother again.
"Isang blessing na lang ang kulang sa akin. Gusto ko makita yung nanay ko.
"E, sana sa inyong mabubuting puso, sa mga nagtutulong at nagbabalak tumulong sa akin, e, sana ma-bless din kayo ni Lord.
"Thank you very much."
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