What does success mean to you? Is it defined by your bank account? Your possessions? Your career? Or perhaps your social media status?
Our versions of success vary from one person to the other, and this may even change depending on where we are at life. But to actress and YouTube phenomenon Alex Gonzaga, success remains to be a continuous process.
“Success for me is knowing who you are and not changing it. It is expressing your authentic self – ‘yong wala kang kailangan i-fake. In my 12 years of being in this industry, I learned [that] you can’t be saying ‘yes’ to other people and ‘no’ to yourself. For me, what matters most is that I find peace and contentment; and that’s how I feel with what I do now.”
Each one of us is a work in progress and we all have flaws that we may need to change. Alex shared that it was hard for her to be compared with her sister, Toni Gonzaga. She thought that she needed to change herself to be accepted.
“I tried doing things her way and then it got to a point na I go to work pero hindi ko na-enjoy. Opinionated kasi ako. As an employee, I would voice out my opinion, but I had to hold back. What’s accepted for other people is what they see in my sister; but this is me, and I have my own persona. I didn’t feel like I was needed in the same field she’s in.”
Feeling that way, Alex said that she took a step back to reflect on herself for a year and a half. “During that time, I asked myself questions like: ‘What’s wrong? Bakit ganito ‘yung nangyayari? Why do I feel like I’m putting my life to waste?’,” she said. She also shared that she had this tendency to compare other people’s blessings to her own and was done fighting for her worth and value.
“I re-assessed myself. Pinagaralan ko sarili ko, yung ugali ko at intentions ko – then I found acceptance. Sometimes the enemy is really yourself. It goes back to the way you handle life, your struggles and pain, your work and career. Hindi pala binibigay sa’yo yung gusto mo kasi hindi ka pa handa.
“Life is meant to be experienced and all about experimenting. Find something where you’ll be most comfortable. It took me years before I found mine. That’s why thankful talaga ako – in this digital world, people can express and be more themselves freely,” she said.
Through vlogging, she found her voice, and an audience that accepts her. Alex said that she’s happy where she is right now, even if she initially wanted to pursue being a movie star and a concert performer. For her, people have to be at peace with who they are and what they are without comparing themselves to other people.
In an industry where celebrities like her get a lot of unsolicited opinions from other people, it’s also important for her to realign and recharge with her family who always keeps her grounded.
“In my career, I always do the best I can. Happy ako where I am but firm believer ako na the best is yet to come,” Alex said.
Success doesn’t happen overnight and we all have our down time and struggles that we continue to face every day of our lives. But what matters most for Alex is that we always get back up – not letting a single setback makes us give up on goals and dreams.
This 2019, Vitamilk celebrates the launch of its new campaign that highlights its ability to satisfy #Pagud-tom, especially as millennials brave hectic and busy schedules every day. It aims to empower people who live through the daily hustle and bustle to just carry on amidst the struggles. With vlogger, actress, and endorser Alex Gonzaga at its forefront, the brand gives a fresh, new perspective on how to get yourself that quick and healthy break to recharge yourself – ready to get back to the kind of hustle that gives personal fulfillment.
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