Fresh from rehab, Maegan Aguilar is starting over again

My soul sister, Maegan Aguilar, is soooo back. After completing her two-year drug rehabilitation last April, she granted me her very first interview on my DollywoodPH YouTube Channel, and for this column as well. I cannot thank Sis enough for trusting me with her story.

I couldn’t be prouder of Maegan for facing her demons and choosing a new beginning. Maegan’s long, hard recovery journey reminds us that when all else fails, God’s power prevails. God gave her a second lease on life. So, she more than deserves our support as she relaunches her music career with her band, Bullet Days.

Let’s welcome into our hearts Maegan Aguilar 2.0. She’s no longer a woman of substance abuse. Maegan is now a woman of substance.

Armed with hard-earned lessons and a grateful heart, Freddie Aguilar’s “Anak” is now high on life.

(Catch my heart-to-heart talk with Maegan on my YouTube Channel.)

Here’s my chat with Maegan:

What has been the biggest lesson you’ve learned about yourself during your sobriety journey?

“I learned that recovery becomes second nature to me if I just do it one day at a time. No need to make long-term plans or rush into anything. Just keep my daily goals simple and achievable. Consistency is key.”

What would you say to someone who feels they’re too far gone to start over?

“While we are alive, to pursue change for the better is never too late. And like I said, instead of looking too far ahead, simply be in your present and choose to do something good and right for yourself, here and now.”

Has forgiveness — whether forgiving yourself or being forgiven by others — been an important part of your healing?

“Yes. And this is an essential part of healing because this is where we come to understand the true meaning of humility and acceptance. Not just about ourselves, but on how we accept and forgive others around us as well.”

How do you stay grounded when temptations arise?

“I automatically resort to prayers, which help me think swiftly of the consequences of my wrong actions now, and so far this way of ‘positive coping’ has become my stopping power to fight off the intrusive thoughts and negative feelings. This only works if I work it.”

What’s one misconception people have about addiction and recovery that you would like to correct?

“The stigma of ‘once an addict will always be an addict.’ Hindi naman lahat pareho ang fate. May mga tumitibay din after dumaan ng rehabilitation program. Ang importante, lumalaban at pinaglalaban ang kanyang recovery, well, ang aking recovery, no matter what. Whether someone’s watching or not.”

How has sobriety changed the way you look at life, relationships and your career?

“When I was deep in my drug addiction, I doubted my family’s love for me. And when I became sober, I realized how wrong I was all along. They never stopped loving me and praying for me pala. Career-wise, akala ko kaya ko at hindi din naman ‘halata’ na adik ako. Ayun pala, I was lying to myself already. The truth is we cannot be responsible and also be a drug addict at the same time. The sooner we accept that, the better.”

What does ‘one day at a time’ mean to you now?

“To me, it means the right philosophy and way of thinking when it comes to recovering not just from addiction, but also from mental and emotional disabilities.”

How have you approached rebuilding trust with your loved ones and supporters?

“I’d rather earn their trust and respect back, because I know that it’s my own doing why I lost their trust and respect in the first place. And as this trust builds up again doors, if chances simply open up on their own, through God’s hands nonetheless. And once it is Him who opens those doors, no power on earth can close them.”

Tell us about your new band and your upcoming gigs.

The writer is pictured with Meagan, who relaunches her music career with the band, Bullet Days.

“Bullet Days with Maegan Aguilar is not really ‘new.’ Matagal na kaming magkakakilala and our guitarist is my cousin. They are not just my band but also my support group in staying clean and sober.

“For our gigs, check out our socials: Maegan Verona Aguilar FB, TMAC (The Maegan Aguilar Channel FB Page), Chops and Brew FB page, Riff Odyssey FB page and soon to be ‘Bullet Days w/ Maegan Aguilar’ FB page.”

If you could send a text message to your dad in heaven, what would you tell him?

“Tay, thank you for the tough love you showed me, kahit nahirapan ako ng bonggang bongga, you just really wanted me to figure it all out on my own. I thank you for not enabling me to continue on the wrong path I was on. I love you po, Tay. In another lifetime, I would really want to be your daughter again.”

WilBea’s new series ‘LUL’

When I interviewed Wilbert Ross on my YouTube Channel, he said that as much as possible, he wants to gatekeep his tandem with Bea Binene. After I attended WilBea’s grand mediacon at Robinson’s Manila for their new series, “Love U Lots (LUL),” now I know why Wilbert would rather not be paired with anyone else. It was mayhem the moment they appeared on stage. WilBea is indeed the new dream love team. Their comeback project, “LUL” premieres on Viva One on July 24. The eight-episode series is an unconventional love story that proves romance can take many unexpected forms.

Bea plays Ysa, a talented painter living with Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID). She finds comfort in her art as she tries to understand herself, quietly hoping for a life where all parts of her can live in peace.

Wilbert portrays Estong, a kind man whose life falls apart after a painful breakup and a scam which made him lose his hard-earned savings.

Ysa’s and Estong’s paths cross. Et voilà! It’s a stroke of serendipity.

Here are quotes from Wil and Bea:

Wil: “‘LUL’ is 70-percent comedy. It’s been a while since I did comedy, which I’ve missed. This time around, I got to learn from a comedy icon, Janno Gibbs.”

Bea: “Our previous series, ‘Golden Scenery of Tomorrow’ (GSOT) was an adaptation, so more or less the audience is familiar with the story. ‘LUL’ is an original concept. I play five different characters since Ysa has different personalities, so it required more endurance.”

Wil: “After the success of our series, ‘GSOT,’ Bea and I feel the pressure, but the overwhelming support of our fans turns that pressure into excitement.”

Bea: “We met with a doctor who is an expert on DID. So, we will know how to attack it the right way since it’s a sensitive topic. The disorder is contextualized in the story. We want to make the audience more informed about DID and show that persons with that kind of disorder deserve respect.”

Wil: “Bea and I support each other’s growth on- and off-cam. We have business plans together. We already know each other’s strengths and weaknesses. Bea is GF material and more then qualified to be wife material.”

Bea: “Wil is very goal-oriented. He’s just not winging it. Who would not want a partner like that?”

Jeff Moses’ new musical

When it comes to appeal, Sparkle hottie Jeff Moses got the mostest.

His magnetic smile ought to have its own billing in the credits. He stars in GMA 7’s action-drama series, “Taskforce Firewall.

With his signature charm, Jeff is all set to woo audiences anew in “Bongga Ka ‘Day The Musical.” Lights, music, swoon!

Here’s my chat with Jeff:

What excites you and makes you nervous about working with Atasha Muhlach and Sam Concepcion in ‘Bongga Ka ‘Day’?

“It’s my first time working with both of them. Honestly, I don’t feel nervous at all — just excited. Sam and Atasha are warm and kind. We instantly clicked because we have the same sense of humor.”

What is the craziest thing you did for a girl?

“Nothing too crazy. I’m more of the type who shows love through consistency and effort. If I really care about someone, I’ll make time for them, support them and be there when they need me. That means more than grand gestures.”

What love advice do you find hard to follow?

“Play hard to get. I don’t think that’s really me. If I like someone, I’d rather just be genuine and let things happen naturally. Being sincere and showing your intentions is always better than playing games.”

What are your learnings in showbiz so far?

“One lesson that has stayed with me is from my acting coach, Ms. Ana Feleo, ‘Bago ka maging magaling na artista, maging mabuting tao ka muna.’”

Talent can open doors, but it’s your character, humility, and the way you treat people that will keep those doors open. That’s something I carry with me, both in showbiz and in life.