MANILA, Philippines - Gab Valenciano took to social media to open up on why he left the Philippines and the local show business.
In a Facebook post on Sunday, the 27-year-old artist, who left the Philippines to move to the United States in 2013 to study, said he was "secretly hiding under an umbrella of depression for a good four years, drowning in an industry I was never really accepted in and masking it by going out almost every night and making the worst decisions in life."
Gab added that while he will never forget his roots, he feels that "I don't owe it a thing."
"The entertainment industry in the Philippines made me feel like one of the most worthless artists in the history of artists, and I'm sure many more can empathize but can't speak out," he said.
The dancer-artist son of veteran singer Gary Valenciano also urged other artists to "take their craft to the next level by thinking global."
"We are Filipinos. One of the most creative, hard-working, intelligent and talented races in the world. Don't think, do. I am writing this specifically for those people who feel like they are being taken for granted. The underdogs. You feel like the fire burning in you is dying because your passion isn't fueled up or supported by your very own country and countrymen. You deserve so much more and the only way to heal yourself is by making life-changing decisions. Step out of your comfort zone," he said.
Gab, who was an established artist and dancer before leaving for the country, gained popularity as a YouTube artist. He was also cited in Beyonce's MTV Video Music Awards nomination for Best Choreography earlier this year.
Read Gab Valenciano's whole post below: