For the past years, yours truly Runner Rocky had already interviewed different celebrities and personalities. All of them have their own stories making them unique from one another. But one of them has a striking inspiring story which will definitely leave a mark to my readers, subscribers, fans, and followers. That's why I chose his story to be my entry in the Season 3 of Comco Mundo's Write to Ignite called "Unmasked."
Two weeks ago, I have met John Padilla, he is a Bidaman finalist, a reality-pageant contest in "It's Showtime" in 2019. He is now one of the aspiring contestants of the Pageant of the World 2023.
Ehdren John Balbarona in real life, John is a 23-year old model from Morong Bataan. He was given a break in national TV when he joined the Bidaman segment of the Kapamilya noontime show "It's Showtime" in 2019. From that noontime show, he got his screen name as "John Padilla."
John's story is so unique. Yes, he is raised by lesbian parents who are two women - his mom and a lesbian dad whom he call as dada. And since he has a unique family, during his childhood, he was bullied!
"I used to be bullied when I was young talaga. Kase mostly pag kids, magugulat sila kase 'ung parents mo ay dalawang babae," ("I used to be bullied when I was young. Kids mostly get shock knowing that your parents are two women.") John admitted to Runner Rocky. But how did John overcome this childhood challenge?
"Because of knowledge, love, and respect, hindi mo iisipin 'ung negative thinking nila sa'yo. Show them love...then hanggang sa nasanay nalang din ako," ("Because of knowledge, love, and respect, you would never think of their negative thinking about you. Show them love...then until I became use to that.") John further unveiled during my exclusive interview with him.
Growing up with a lesbian parent is not a hindrance for him. Instead, he make this as an inspiration to achieve his dreams and goals in life. Because of his lesbian parents and of his gay family, he learned how to respect people, how to show them love, and how to understand the colorful rainbow of the LGBTQIA+ family! He further revealed to me that aside from his lesbian parents, he is also surrounded by gay and lesbian members of the family since his uncles were gays! And this made him a stronger, a more dedicated, and a more inspiring person!
"As I grow up, hindi ko nakikita na there's something less in my family. My family consists of LGBTQIA+ talaga. My titos are gays, lesbians. Growing up, this not makes me less. But it makes me something with a unique story, living in that colorful rainbow makes me the man today with so much love and respect," ("As I grow up, I didn't see that there's something less in my family. My family consists of LGBTQIA+ actually. My uncles are gays, lesbians. Growing up, this not makes me less. But it makes me something with a unique story, living in that colorful rainbow makes me the man today with so much love and respect," )John added!
Here is my full interview video of John Padilla unmasking his unique and very inspiring story. Let's watch this:
Meanwhile on the lighter side, John also shared his showbiz journey. Aside from Bidaman in 2019 where he had lots of exposure on Philippine TV, John also starred in a BL series called "Padayon." The series is still available to watch in YouTube.
When I asked him if who is his showbiz crush and who is his dream leading lady, John promptly answered Kisses Delavin. Kisses who is a product of Pinoy Big Brother is also a pageant candidate just like him!
John also gave advise to his co-Bidaman brothers who were involved in scandalous videos before. According to him, he will always be with them and will support them on what they want in life no matter what! Just like him, his Bidaman brothers will also overcome the challenging phase of their lives.
In the end of our conversation for this topic, John ensured to me that he has no private or scandalous videos that would leak in the internet! He laughingly said: "Ah wala naman! (there's nothing!) Safe! Safe!" (with a thumb mark).
John also revealed to Rocky that just like other actors and showbiz personalities, he also received indecent proposals. And he handled these with respect to those people - he didn't judge them and he just ignored those messages. This is really a very good of you John!
John further shared that there are opportunities and offers he received such as from Vivamax to do sexy and daring movies. He honestly admits that if this is inline with his values, he is not closing his door for such roles. And yeah, if his manager allow, he is also open to do "extremely hot" projects! "Basta wait nalang guys," ("lets wait and see guys" ) he quoted!
Aside from pagent. modeling, and acting, did you know that John is also a singer? Yes, singing just like the other Bidaman is his other talent that he is proud of! Wow!
Once more, thank you John for gracing my interview. You are really an inspiration to many of us. And you deserve a special spot here in my page and to be featured as part of Comco's meaningful storytelling! You truly unmasked the real and inspiring side of you! Good luck and God bless on your endeavor!
This story is an entry to COMCO Mundo’s “UNMASKED: The COMCO Mundo Write to Ignite Season 3”. The initiative aims to pull and collate powerful stories from the Philippine blogging communities. “UNMASKED” aims to explore how each mask is a person brimming with hope and wonders to share with others, as well as why it is important to tell their inspiring journeys in life. The “Write to Ignite” Season 3 is made possible by COMCO Mundo League of Enterprises, with airasia, Babyflo, PHILUSA Corporation, Century Tuna, Licealiz, Lamoiyan Corporation, Rémy Martin, and Uratex Monoblock as brand partners. 07/30/2023 (Runner Rocky)
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