In a rare instance, actor Ian de Leon talked about his journey going through depression.
In an interview with "Surprise Guest with Pia Arcangel," the biological son of Nora Aunor and Christopher de Leon talked about his struggles in life.
“When I hit rock bottom talaga, I was searching for answers, e. I strayed away from family for a while," he shared, relating how he didn't want to see and talk to anyone.
"I didn't want anyone asking me how I am," he added. “I just had that spiraling depression moment in my life where it took me three years to get over it, and it was a really dark and difficult time for me."
Ian admitted that he forgot about God and the people who cared for him.
"I just shut myself off from the world," he related.
Thankfully, his wife, Jennifer Orcine, was there for him all throughout.
"I am so blessed with my wife right now because she stuck with me through those dark times," he shared. "Di ba nga, sabi nila, malalaman mo kung sino ang totoong tao sa 'yo at magmamahal sa 'yo kung at the very darkest moments of your life, you will see only the people who are there for you?"
Ian related that even his adopted siblings - Lotlot, Matet, Kiko, and Kenneth "worked really hard" reaching out to him.
But he just didn't want to talk to anyone of them.
"What was going on sa buhay ko during that time was I felt so empty and depressed that I couldn't feel anymore," he said.
“I woke up one night thinking, 'What is wrong with me? What is going on? What should I do? Who should I go to? Who should I talk to?' I don't want to talk to anyone, I don't want to see anyone."
But he believes that experience is the turning point and a moment he needed in his life.
Ian related that at that time, he was so confused and didn't know what to do with his life.
So he started praying.
"And I think it was a call during that time. I prayed really hard. I didn't pray with words, I didn't pray with any sentences in my thoughts. I just prayed with intentions from my heart," he said.
"Doon ko na-realize, if you want to communicate with our good Lord, it has to be pure intention and pure from your heart talaga. No words can truly express kung paano mo gagawin ang prayer na iyon."
"It was just like that na all sorts of information, in words, na sinasabi Niya, 'You need this. No one can teach you how to live your life but yourself. If you give up right now, it's your choice. The power of choice is in your hands. You have to be strong, you have to move on from whatever it is that's going on in your life right now, you have to move on. Pull yourself back together. I'm here. I'm holding your hand. Look at Me, listen to Me, feel Me in your life.'"
Remember when Ian took to YouTube to air a message to his mother some years ago?