During a recent interview on "TicTalk With Aster Amoyo" on YouTube, Jiro shares his journey of struggling with drug addiction since the age of 14.
Former child actor Jiro Manio reveals he went to rehab six times
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Award-winning actor Jiro Manio revealed that he had gone into rehab six times before fully recovering from drug addiction.
During a recent interview on "TicTalk With Aster Amoyo" on YouTube, Jiro shares his journey of struggling with drug addiction since the age of 14.
"Nung 2011 first time ko po mapasok nung sa rehab, private rehad po yun. Parang bahay po siya, ang ginagawa po namin dun is TLC (Tender, Love and Care). May mga activities po kami, nagwoworship po kami, nagenjoy po ako tsaka ang dami ko pong nakilala na naging kaibigan ko rin."
(In 2011, I entered rehab for the first time. It was a private rehab that felt like home. We focused on giving and receiving tender, love, and care (TLC). We had various activities and worship sessions, and I really enjoyed myself. I also made many friends during my time there.)
"Naka-isang taon rin po ako dun, pero nung nakalabas po ako. Hinahanap-hanap ko po talaga, kasi parang feeling nung mga time na yun hindi pa ako totally magaling," Jiro said.
(I was there for a year, but when I got out, I was looking for it because it seemed like at that time I wasn't fully recovered.)
Jiro confessed to starting marijuana use at 14 due to peer influence, progressing to alcohol and then crystal meth.
"Una ko po kasing sinubukan ay marijuana, tapos ayun po iba-ibang alak, tapos hanggang napasok na po ako sa shabu," Jiro said.
(The first substances I experimented with were marijuana, followed by various types of alcohol until I eventually started using meth)
It was a love-hate relationship for Jiro as he went back and forth to rehabilitation centers until he made headlines in 2015 after being spotted at Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
"Normal naman po ako nun, kasi nung chineck po ako nurse dun normal naman daw po yung vital signs ko daw, pero siguro dahil po nagte-take ako nung drugs nun, ayun po yung side effect," he said.
(I was feeling normal at that time because when the nurse checked my vital signs, they were normal, but maybe it was because I was taking those drugs. That's the side effect.)
It all happened quickly for Jiro when the media started coming to interview him. At that time, Ai-Ai de las Alas stepped in and helped Jiro enter another rehab.
"Pina-check up po ako ni Mama Ai sa psychiatrist, tapos dun na po ako nag start kailangan na daw po ako iconfine. Nabigla po ako nun kasi umalis po sila nun sumugod po ako nun sa labas, nag-wala po ako nun kasi hindi ko alam na ipapasok po ako nun."
(Mama Ai had me go for a check-up with the psychiatrist. After the check-up, they said that I needed to be confined. I was shocked because they left me and I rushed outside. I was lost because I didn't know they would confine me.)
"Naka-one year po ako dun sa rehab center sa Quezon city, then nilipat po ako nila sa ako Bataan sa DOH (Department of Health), rehab din po yun. Umabot po ako ng isang taon dun," Jiro said.
(I spent one year at the rehabilitation center in Quezon City, and then I was transferred to Bataan at the DOH (Department of Health) for another year of rehab.)
According to Jiro, he is now fully committed to his recovery and striving to become a better version of himself. Watch the full interview: