Tony Labrusca opens up on airport controversy

CEBU, Philippines —  Asked during a virtual conference for his current series “Bagong Umaga” on the worst controversy he went through, Tony Labrusca decided to get candid and not give a safe reply.

“Sige na nga, I won’t give a showbiz answer,” he said. “Ang laki nung naging issue sa akin. Feeling ko ang daming nangba-bash sa akin kahit hindi nila ako kilala. Maraming gusto magpakamatay ako or ipa-deport ako kahit hindi nila alam yung totoong kwento.”

In January 2019, the American passport holder drew widespread flak after he was said to have cursed and yelled at immigration officers at NAIA after he was only given a 30-day stay.

Tony, whose popularity skyrocketed after starring in the daring 2018 film “Glorious” opposite Angel Aquino, felt that time how even people from his home network lost trust in him.

“Ang dami kong naging bad habits dahil sa self-pity,” he said. “Tapos naisip ko na I had two choices: I can prove them right na hindi ko nga deserve lahat ng mga projects ko, or gagalingan ko na lang. Ngayon I’m happy that ABS-CBN is still supporting me and giving me good projects. To those who judge me until now, I don’t have control over that. Basta masaya and grateful ako.”

He has been among the busy actors during the pandemic, headlining the most-watched BL series in the country, “Hello Stranger,” and appearing in the Kim Chiu horror flick “U-Turn.” He said the lock-in set-up for these projects, including for “Bagong Umaga,” had been tough on him at first.

“Emotional ka dahil you miss your comfort zone, your family. Usually pag-taping nakakauwi ka every other day kahit papano. Dito wala,” he shared.

“But we are lucky here in ‘Bagong Umaga’ dahil lahat sila mabait. Yun din ang fear ko, akala ko magsisilabasan na yung mga ugali ng mga kasama ko pagdating ng third week. Eto last two taping days na for the first lock-in and I’m really happy to say that mabait lahat ng cast and staff. They understand how hard lock-in is, so tulungan kami dito.