- Toni Gonzaga is a popular singer, host, and actress
- She was once a host on ‘Eat Bulaga’ on GMA Network
- She revealed her struggles before becoming a Kapamilya artist
Toni Gonzaga—Celestine Cruz Gonzaga-Soriano in real life—is a popular singer, television host, and actress. She is the main presenter of the reality show ‘Pinoy Big Brother’ and is one of the main cast members of the sitcom, ‘Home Sweetie Home Extra Sweet.’
While she has a successful career now getting to there was full of struggles.
At the age of 13, Gonzaga started her career by joining a singing competition called ‘Metropop Star Search,’ aired on GMA Network, which also included singers Kyla and Faith Cuneta. Unfortunately, Toni did not win the competition.
Then, she got a big break working with Piolo Pascual in a Sprite TV commercial in 2001. By 2002, she became one of the main hosts on the long-time afternoon variety show ‘Eat Bulaga.’ Three years later, she decided to transfer to ABS-CBN where she became one of the main hosts of ‘Pinoy Big Brother’ and ‘ASAP.’
In 2006, she had her first primetime drama series ‘Crazy For You’ starring opposite Luis Manzano. Her career really started to pick up by this time.
On her recent interview on ‘Jeepney TV,’ Toni reminisced about her struggles way back before becoming one of the Kapamilya Network’s top artists.
The actress said that she was overwhelmed by the warm welcome of the network with their numerous offers to her.
“Bibigyan ka namin ng teleserye, bibigyan ka namin ng sitcom, bibigyan ka namin ng afternoon show, bibigyan ka namin ng morning show. Sabi ko, ‘Totoo ba to parang di nangyayari?'” Gonzaga narrated.
She then relayed what her former co-workers said about ABS-CBN as she prepared to move to the network.
“Tapos sabi pa ng mga kasama ko dati…Ah ganyan lang gagawin sa’yo tapos itatapon ka na nila. Bibigyan ka lang nila ng mga break pagkatapos nila sa ‘yo itatapon ka na nila!” she revealed.
She also narrated how she felt about her decision to transfer to ABS-CBN.
“I was really on edge, telling myself na baka mag-jump ship ko after a year or two. Siguro tapos na yung karera ko because of what I did and also because of feeling ko ang daming nagsasabi sa ‘kin walang mangyayari sa ‘yo. So naprogram ko yung sarili ko, ‘Sige mag-iipon na lang ako,'” she continued.
She also revealed that she was criticized for her decision especially in the tabloids.
“I remember that it was such a hurtful transition for me because a part me wanted to spread my wings and see my capacity where I can go on this career path and also a part of me is also sad because I’m leaving a family na I kind of grew up with and I learned to love also,” she said.
The actress also said that she took a leap of faith upon transferring to ABS-CBN. “Dapat ka lang mag leap of faith and you leave it all to God kasi siya naman ung magguguide along the way,” she said.
The actress is the star of the revamped sitcom ‘Home Sweetie Home’ now known as ‘Home Sweetie Home: Extra Sweet.’
