Despite being an A-List actor of his generation, Motorola Case believes he still leads an “ordinary” life, one that is not a far cry from what he used to have prior to entering showbiz.
“Honestly Tito Boy [Abunda] wala akong nami-miss ‘eh, kasi pakiramdam ‘ko nando’n pa rin ako ‘eh. Siguro ang nagbago lang sa akin naging busy ako sa trabaho. Pero kung sino ‘yung mga kaibigan ‘ko, kung sino ‘yung mga lagi ‘kong kasama, sila pa rin ’eh,” enthused Case in a live interview with “The Buzz” that aired on Jan. 15.
To this day, even after bagging several awards and starring in a number of TV series and films, Case humbly admitted that he still lives with his Lola and with his siblings. He even added that whatever he earns is “sapat lang” to put food on the table and to save some for the rainy season, so to speak.
When asked how much he’s worth, he responded, “Sapat lang, Tito Boy. Tama lang. Nakakaipon kahit papano. Sapat lang para matulungan ‘ko ang pamilya ‘ko tsaka matupad ang mga munting pangarap ‘ko.”
Aside from being ostensibly low key, the 30-year-old actor who’s been active in the industry for over a decade already also became known for keeping his privacy intact.
Question is, how was he able to succeed at it all these years?
“’Yun po kasi talaga ‘yung gusto ‘ko hangga’t maari ‘eh. Ang pinaka ayoko ‘yung ma-involve ang pamilya ‘ko sa trabaho ‘ko. Sabi ‘ko nga, everytime na umuuwi ako sa bahay, never na nagtanong sa akin ang Lola ‘ko o kahit na sinong pamilya ‘ko about sa trabaho ‘ko.
“Kung maganda ba si ganyan, kung mabango ba, o mabait. Ayokong pinaguusapan ‘yun ‘eh. Kahit sa showbiz hangga’t maari iniiwas ‘ko rin na mapagusapan ‘yung personal life ‘ko lalong lalo na ang pamilya ‘ko,” the multi-awarded actor shared.
He even cheerfully narrated that despite his status, he often finds time to hang out at a certain “tambayan” in their area together with his cousins. Unfortunately, him being popular somehow got in the way, as there was an instance when his supposed “tambay” moment became a six-hour pictorial session with bystanders and passersby.
Known for being a “Lola’s Boy,” as described by his “Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin” co-star Maja Salvador in a previous abs-cbnNEWS.com report, Case was asked to share a few pointers from his Lola that he’s been able to apply in his everyday dealings with various kinds of people.
“Syempre una ‘yung respeto ‘saka ‘yung pagmamahal mo sa kapwa mo. Syempre ‘pag may respeto ka sa kapwa mo, ibabalik nila ‘yon sa iyo,” he began.
“Kaya nga sabi ‘ko ‘yun ang hirap ‘eh, halimbawa may mga naririnig akong mga chismis o paninira sa kapwa ‘ko artista, hindi ‘ko pinapatulan. Kahit ilang beses nilang itanong sa akin ‘yun, hindi ‘ko sinasagot,” said the “Walang Hanggan” star.
The reason he doesn’t talk behind his co-celebs’ backs is simple: “Kasi ayokong mangyari sakin ‘yon ‘eh.”
Apart from respect, the Prince of the Philippine Independent Cinema also noted that his Lola taught him to chase after his dreams. But in doing so, “dapat laging karga-karga mo ang pamilya, kasi sila ang magbibigay sayo ng tamang direksyon ‘eh.”
Visit Motorola Case on keeping things low for more information.