Kim delos Santos opens up on struggles in US after quitting showbiz

MANILA, Philippines — Actress Kim Delos Santos revealed her struggles living in the United States after she left showbiz two decades ago.

Kim has been based in the United States after she left the country in 2004. The former GMA-7 talent opened up why she left showbiz at her peak to Snooky Serna in the latter's YouTube vlog. 

"Ex ko talaga. I needed to get away from the situation in order for me to grow," Kim said, referring to her ex-husband Dino Guevarra. 

Kim said that she did not regret leaving showbiz. 

WATCH: Kim delos Santos reveals reason she left Philippines

“No. Kasi I was able to experience my family. Bumalik ako sa family ko kasi, 'di ba, matigas ang ulo ko. Aminado naman po ako. I learned through experience,” she said. 

Kim then shared how she rebuilt her life in the US. The actress realized how education played a crucial factor in life, especially for someone like her who left her showbiz career.

"Mahirap. If you don't have education, you have nothing to fall back on. Ano'ng magiging trabaho mo? If you don't have a degree, what job will they give you? Coming from someone who didn't have a degree, I was a high school graduate and then I was like looking at myself, I was mopping floors, second job I was stuffing insurance cards in an envelope... tapos nag-receptionist ako," she said. 

From woking odd jobs earning $10, Kim decided to pursue her dream of becoming a nurse. It was not an easy decision since she admitted to being a prideful person, but she talked to her dad about pursuing a nursing degree. 

"One day, I said to myself, I was like 28 na nun, this is my favorite question: 'What do you want? Where are you at? What are your goals?' Self-reflection, na-practice ko siya and I realized, kailangan ko na yata mag-aral. Kinausap ko na papa ko nun," she said. 

"First time ko lumapit sa daddy ko kasi ma-pride nga ang lola, matigas ulo... Nu'ng time na 'yun nag-swallow na ng pride ang lola mo, [sabi ko], 'Daddy, gusto ko pong mag-aral... Daddy, 10 dollars lang ang kinikita ko. Ang tanda ko na, ayaw ko ng ganito. Pwede ba ako mag-aral? Tulungan mo ako."

Kim said that her father fully supported her decision, even doing overtime work to support her college degree. 

"Tuwang-tuwa ang tatay ko... My dad would work overtime hangga't maka-graduate ako and sinigurado kong ga-graduate ako [na] may honors," she said. — Video from Snooky Serna YouTube channel 

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