How much is Alden’s worth today?

It takes a whole barangay to attain success in show business. It’s not just about talent, charisma, “pakikisama” sometimes it takes one person to believe in one’s potential, one person to see the possibilities.

Some call that person the “hero” while others believe he or she is the angel in disguise sent by God to take you on the further road to success.

In the case of Alden Richards, his “hero” or angel was none other than lawyer Annette Gozon-Valdes who saw in him the great potential to be an actor. The GMA lady executive was the only one who gave a positive response to Alden when he went to the auditions in one of the network’s talent searches.

She put her trust in him without hesitation despite opposition from the majority. Annette stood up for Alden to be included in the final screening. She saw a certain “depth” in him.

“Ang ganda ng voice quality, malalim. I even compared him to John Lloyd Cruz (before),” was how Annette exactly described Alden.

Years later, Alden became a superstar. And Annette, who made a better judgment, was vindicated. “Buti naman I was proven correct,” she said in our recent interview.

“Thank you, Miss Annette,” the Kapuso actor beamed with gratitude.

Alden is one of the busiest Kapuso actors today given the plethora of projects for film, TV, and commercials that he has.

There is no doubt that the actor has already reached superstardom. But fame can be toxic. Fame can overwhelm and Alden is completely aware of that. He admitted that during the first part of his showbiz career, he had let fame get into his head.

“I would be a hypocrite if I say no. At one point, of course, lahat po tayo nae-experience ‘yan. Probably, during the first part of my career, maybe somewhere along the way. ‘Yung kung gaano po katagal ‘yung kalagitnaan nun at some point, but, yes,” Alden said with a straight face.

He later on realized that fame was getting the best of him when the people dear to him were affected by how much he had changed.

“Na-realize ko po ‘yun Tito Boy nung pati taong malalapit sa akin ay naapektuhan na. Parang these people should be the last ones to complain. And then it hit me na baka nga ganoon na.”

Without disclosing their identities, Alden revealed how these people frankly told him about the sudden change in his character.

Fast forward to the present, Alden continues to be committed to his work with humility. His film projects will see him acting alongside Sharon Cuneta in A Mother and Son’s Story, and Julia Montes in Five Break-ups and a Romance.

On television, he is tasked to host Battle of the Judges with yours truly, Annette, Bea Alonzo and Jose Manalo as judges. He, too, is set to portray four different characters in four different episodes that tell stories of real-life people in the GMA anthology series Magpakailanman to be aired in the whole month of August.

Alden is definitely on top of his game. So, I asked if he is happy at the rate things are going in his showbiz career and he said, “Yes, Tito Boy. I think happiness is a choice because I don’t look for something that I don’t have. I’m very grateful for the things I have now in terms of everything.”

Prior to entering show business, Alden recalled how he would imagine living a well-off life.

“When I was young, I would imagine living the life of my classmates who had a P200- allowance per day and a breakfast of fried rice, bacon and egg. They would ride in their (school) service.

“Due to financial constraints, my breakfast was a bowl of noodles and my baon was P50. Feeling ko rin noon na kapag nakakasama sa field trip, well-off na kasi madalas hindi ako nakakasama except if my mom was able to borrow money or my dad got a bonus.”

Life for Alden turned 180 degrees when he entered the local entertainment industry. How much is his worth today?

“To tell you honestly, with everything that I have now, I’m perfectly content,” he replied.

Hypothetically speaking, if Alden were to quit showbiz at this very moment, he admitted that he can’t live comfortably yet for the rest of his life. He does not see himself turning his back on showbiz anytime soon.

“There’s this wise man who once told me to never kill the goose that lays the golden egg, and that’s my career. A huge chunk (of income) still comes from my job as an actor, and an artist.

“I love my job, my passion for it has not faltered with all the things that are happening right now.”

What remains a magnet for controversy is his love life. What does he know about love?

“I think, all are looking for it. Iba-ibang klase ang love. Iba-ibang sensation siya. It can be physical, emotional, mental, or whatever.

“Sometimes, love makes us do irrational things. It’s like when you’re in love, sky’s the limit.”

Alden revealed having experienced giving “sky is the limit” kind of love twice or thrice. But he would like to keep his love life private “because it’s the only thing I can protect. I think that’s the only thing I can save to keep my identity and for my sanity as well,” he explained.

“Kasi kinakalkal po every day, but our press people are kind. They often give in to my request (to refrain from asking) at one point and, kumbaga, ‘Don’t ask (about love) anymore, my love life is boring.’”

However, Alden happily obliged to reveal more of himself on Fast Talk. Here are excerpts.

Battle of the Judges or Mobile Legends?

“Battle of the Judges.”

Laguna or Manila?

“Laguna.”

Tenten or Tan-tan?

“Tenten.”

Family or fame?

“Family.”

Ten years ago, ano ang naaalala mo?

“Utang.”

Ten years from now, ano ang nakikita mo?

“Nag-papautang.”

Oo o hindi, inuulam sa kanin ang spaghetti.

“Opo.”

Boxers or briefs?

“Briefs.”

Small, medium or large?

“Large.”

Your foot size.

“Ten and a half (inches).”

Your sleeping position.

“Lying on stomach.”

First thing that you do before going to bed.

“I pray.”

First thing that you do when you wake up.

“I pray.”

Lights on or lights off?

“Lights on.”

Happiness or chocolates?

“Happiness.”

Best time for happiness.

“Kahit saan mo maramdaman.”