Enchong Dee learns how to manage his emotions

The biggest life goal for Enchong Dee this year is learning how to handle his emotions.

“To be fair this is something very personal. But I have this personal goal to manage my emotions,” declared Enchong at Star Magic’s Spotlight Presscon at Coffee Project in Wil Tower Mall, Quezon City.

It is something that the actor had been working on. He added, “There are so many instances na parang feeling ko hindi kailangan ng reaction yung isang bagay. If I let you see my phone, there’s a constant reminder there that not everything needs a reaction to it.”

Controlling his emotions is among the things that he considered as his achievement. “Because feeling ko from 100 percent every time I get a news, somehow I get to pacify myself, like (I’ll myself), ‘Let’s handle it strategically…’ Let’s not get ahead of the problem. Kasi hindi naman siya kailangan parati ng ‘TV Patrol’ acting.”

He makes sure to deal with such things in a calm and cool manner. The “GomBurZa” thespian hoped that he would be able to attain it.

“My goal is like Direk Lauren (Dyogi) like if there’s a problem, ‘OK, ano ba yung panibagong problema today?’ Just chill. It’s a good example.” Enchong is also glad that he is surrounded by “very relaxed people” at Star Magic who influenced him.

Enchong debuted in showbiz in 2006. He took on roles in several film projects, namely, Jojo Wenceslao in “Katorse” (2009), Caloy Javier in “Magkaribal” (2010), Ethan Castillo in “Ina, Kapatid, Anak” (2012), and the iconic only son CJ in “Four Sisters and a Wedding” (2013).

His portrayal of Padre Jacinto Zamora in “GomBurZa” (2023) earned him a Best Supporting Actor nomination at the 2024 FAMAS Awards and secured him the Best Supporting Actor award at the 7th Eddys Entertainment Editor’s Choice Awards.

He also dropped two albums under Star Music, such as his self-titled album “Enchong Dee” in 2014 and “EDM (Enchong Dee Moves)/Hanggang Dito Nalang” in 2016.

In his 18 years in the showbiz industry, Enchong learned how to deal with privacy issues and bashing that come with being a public figure.

“I think you need to have a mindset like if you’re going to a public event, you will be swarmed by a public audience,” pointed out Enchong.

“So, of course, when you’re in public, let’s say for example, I’m in my condo, naka-pang workout lang ako, sometimes I can say like, ‘Sorry po ate ha. Pawis na pawis ako. But later.’ Things like that. And there’s always a proper way of saying things.”

Asked if he would rant on social media if he encountered situations involving privacy issues, he said with a laugh, “I’ve learned my lesson. Like what I said earlier, if you have the chance to learn, you have to embrace it.”

But he admitted that he still gets heartbroken whenever he reads negative comments or write-ups about him. “I get heartbreaks that I don’t show to a lot of people,” he confessed.

“I get heartbroken and then I rant to my family and then just you know tell it to them. But you always have two paths to take — either be bitter about it, be bitter about the situation that happened or realize that everything is temporary.”

“Nasa tugatog ka ng kasikatan, kayamanan, that’s temporary. Something will happen to you that will make you realize that it’s not forever.”

Nonetheless, Enchong felt “very fortunate” that he was able to reach 18 years in showbiz. “Because somehow I was able to prove that, ‘OK, hindi naman pala totoo na maldita or maldito yung isang artista.

“I’m also happy that I’m here because I get to also show the artists that your relationship can be this good towards the press. You don’t need to block (them). You don’t need to rant on social media just because of one write-up. There’s always a chance for you to change that.”