Alden Richards' life is an open book.
Many know about his rags-to-riches story.
It is interesting to note that it was already featured in the long-running anthology series "Magpakailanman" several years ago.
In there, Alden played himself.
As much as he was happy about it, Alden feels it isn't complete as his journey continues.
Would he like a part two of the same shown on "Magpakailanman?"
The actor-singer-businessman is up for it but if ever, he'd like Joshua Garcia to play him this time.
He believes Joshua has what it takes to portray him in an episode that would highlight the past 10 years of his showbiz career.
Alden believes it would be a "feel-good episode" that could be very "inspirational."
"Siyempre, sa journey naman po ng buhay, hindi naman lahat nagiging masarap ang journey. Lagi yan. Yin and yang yan. In every good there's always a bad and in every bad there's always good. It's a cycle, a continuing journey."
"Gusto kong mapakita yung realidad ng showbiz na, ano bang nangyayari? Akala nila ngiti-ngiti lang, pogi lang, maganda lang... But what is the business all about? How difficult it is to stay, how difficult it is to go? The people you trust in the industry, who are they? You really have to be careful."
He added, "As the term 'Showbiz' implies, it is a business more than anything so, there is competition. Everyday may bago, merong makakagawa ng mas magandang project kaysa sa nagawa mo."
So, how does he go about it?
"Ako, wala po akong pakialam. Gumagawa lang ako ng mga bagay na feeling ko po is fulfilling gawin," he said. "Never po ako naging insecure sa mga kasama ko dito sa industriya. It's really a matter of how you handle it."
So what advice would he give to those just starting in the field?
"Paghirapan niyo yung gusto ninyong marating. Hindi yan ibibigay sa inyo. Hindi yan isusubo ng kahit sino. You always have to prove your worth everytime."
Alden shared his observation relating young stars being "picky" with projects.
Without naming names, he addressed them saying, "Wag po kayong maging choosy kung wala pa po kayong napapatunayan. I don't mean this in a negative way, I mean this in an inspirational kind of way na you have to prove yourself first bago ka mamili. Kasi ako, pinagdaanan ko yan before. First six, seven years of my career, kahit ano ginagawa ko po lahat without questions."
Asked how he was able to remain grounded despite his fame and fortune, Alden maintained it all boils down to "gratitude."
The seasoned actor noted: "Hindi ko siya nakuha by myself alone. Hindi ko po kine-credit na ako lang po ito lahat. Itong success ko, collective effort of the people that loved me and supported me. I think isa yun sa mga reasons na nag-ground sa akin."
This August, Alden will be headlining "Magpakailanman " for a month-long special.
On Aug. 5, he will breathe life into an athlete who has cervical dystonia. There, he will be co-starring with Sanya Lopez. It will be directed by Neal del Rosario.
The next two episodes - "Epal Dreamboy" on Aug. 12 and "Lost Boy" on Aug. 19, will be helmed by Irene Villamor.
It will be capped off on Aug. 26 with "Sa Puso At Isipan," about a son taking care of his mentally-challenged parents and his younger siblings as he himself begins to struggle with his own mental condition.
It will be directed by Gina Alajar.
Alden described the whole "Magpakailanman" experience a huge challenge for him as an actor, relating how he had only a week to transition between characters.
"So I really have to study the script and transition from one character to another in a snap of a finger," he shared. "Pero na-enjoy ko siya."
"Gusto ko rin kasi masubukan kung hanggang saan ko ba kayang panindigan ang pagiging actor ko pagdating sa iba't-ibang character. This is the opportunity. Gusto ko lately tsina-challenge ang sarili ko pagdating sa mga ganyan. Para hindi laging kumportable. Ayoko po nare-relax when it comes to acting. That's the death of an actor, when you want roles na komportable."
If anything, he's thankful that GMA and the show's production team gave him a "freehand" in his portrayals.
"Hinayaan po nila ako na ma-discover ko yung mga characters na gagawin ko in my own way. Of course, may guidence from them. But it's really more about me."