Veteran actress and filmmaker Gina Alajar has candidly spoken about her struggles with substance use early in her career, revealing how it affected both her professional and personal life.
In an emotional conversation with journalist Luchi Cruz-Valdes for the Usapang Real with Luchi YouTube series, the multi-awarded actress reflected on the pressures she faced as a young performer. The discussion began with Luchi asking about why some child stars fade early in their careers, prompting Gina to share her difficult journey.
The actress admitted that even while she was married with children, she turned to drugs to cope with the demands of show business. “If you’ve heard my testimony before, nagpunta ako sa drugs because yung paniwala ko before is ‘If you cannot stop them, join them,’” she said.
Starting with marijuana, Gina’s curiosity eventually led her to try shabu, or methamphetamine. At the time, she even enjoyed its effects, especially because it kept her awake during the grueling shooting schedules common in the industry.
“Alas-singko na ng umaga, hindi mo pa alam kung kailan ka matatapos. Alas-siyete, change location para sa sampung eksena pa, so dire-diretso,” she recalled, explaining how the drug allowed her to stay awake for two to three consecutive days.
Her longest stretch without sleep was 72 hours, which led to severe hallucinations—something she acknowledged could happen even without drug use. Still in her 20s then, Gina’s substance use went on for about three years before she decided to stop, realizing it was damaging her life and relationships.
“With my bags and the kids’ things, umalis ako sa bahay. I needed to get out para… sa connection sa tao na kadugtong ko doon, I needed to separate from the person,” she shared, referring to a relationship that was tied to her drug involvement.
Leaving was a painful decision, especially as a mother of three. Gina was then married to fellow actor Michael de Mesa, with whom she shares her children.
Now many years past those turbulent times, Gina’s story serves as both a personal testimony and a cautionary tale about the pressures of fame and the destructive allure of drugs in the entertainment industry.