Not all celebrities were born with a silver spoon in their mouth. It is true when a few say that they started from nothing and life be...
Not all celebrities were born with a silver spoon in their mouth.
It is true when a few say that they started from nothing and life before showbiz was a roller coaster ride. Or atleast it is for these actors who went through tough times before reaching star status.
Who would've thought some of these guys once served meals in your favorite fastfood chains? From rags to riches, we present to you:
1. COCO MARTIN
Coco used to be a waiter at the Fairview branch of the food chain, Max's.
One day, he was discovered by a customer who handed him a business card bearing the name Rene dela
Cruz, who turned out to be the assistant director of Johnny Manahan, the big boss of Star Magic, at the time.
Coco even worked in Canada as a janitor after college.
After a series of auditions, Coco made it to Star Magic batch 9, but he was not launched as a talent yet as he opted to finish his studies first. The actor first dabbled in indie films (which earned him awards and the title “Prince of Indie”) before making it to mainstream showbiz. In a surprising twist, Martin found his way back to Max’s, this time as the brand’s celebrity endorser.
Currently, Coco is the star behind the long-running Primetime show in ABSCBN, Ang Probinsyano.
2. MARVIN AGUSTIN
Marvin used to be a driver, a vendor, a mascot, and a clerk at a video store.
He also served as a waiter in a Mexican restaurant, Tia Maria's in Alabang branch
where he was discovered and asked to enter show business
Marvin was eventually launched as part of Star Magic’s Batch 2 along with Diether Ocampo, Mylene Dizon and Patrick Garcia.
Today, he is one of the most renowned celebrity restaurateurs and owns an entrepreneurship school.
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3. VICE GANDA
Vice is vocal about his past, sharing anecdotes of his childhood: how he grew up in Tondo, even selling bottled water during the 1995 World Youth Day.
Vice is now a famoust television presenter, endorser, actor, and recording artist.
He is one of It’s Showtime’s regular hosts and has starred in several films, four of which are considered the highest-grossing films in Philippine cinema, making him an icon in showbiz.
4. DIETHER OCAMPO
Diether started out as a service crew member of Pizza Hut (which eventually tapped him as an endorser) and as a bartender in Steel Bar, Quezon City.
5. NIKKO NATIVIDAD
Nikko used to serve and wait in a casualdining restaurant restaurant in Malolos, Bulacan.
6. JERICHO ROSALES
Jericho or "Echo" as he is now famously known, was once a fish vendor, helping his mother who was also a vendor in the public market.
As Jericho grew, he did more challenging jobs, from being a service crew at a pizza fast food chain to a driver.
He is now a renowned actor and singer plus an endorser for various brands. He is one of the lead stars of an ABS-CBN teleserye and is happily married to model Kim Jones.
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7. MARTIN NIEVERA
Martin shared that he spent his teenage days flipping burgers at their own restaurant in Hawaii.
Nievera spent most of his childhood days in Hawaii, where they owned a restaurant. There, he flipped burgers and learned the value of hard work.
Inspired by his father who was also a singer, Nievera eventually moved to the Philippines to pursue a career in the local music scene.
8. PIOLO PASCUAL
Piolo never denied his past and is proud of being a waiter during his high school days. He worked as
security guard too.
9. RICHARD GOMEZ
Richard worked as a service crew member in McDonald's, where his manager, the late Douglas Quijano, discovered him while serving burgers and fries.
After trying his hand at modeling, Gomez entered local showbiz and became the epitome of “tall, dark and handsome." His long career saw him doing projects for different networks, until he returned to ABS-CBN in 2011.
Now he is busy with his wife in regional politics.
10. NORA AUNOR
Nora Aunor, for all the fame and recognition she has today, also started from nothing.
In order to help provide for her family, she sold bottled water and peanuts to passengers at the train station near their place at a young age.
Her poverty, however, turned out to be her driving force and motivation to persevere.
Nora is now recognized as the Philippines’ “Superstar” as she has starred in several movies and TV series, has several musical recordings, and has appeared in several stage productions.
Nora was awarded with numerous awards and nomination, not only from local award giving bodies but also internationally.
