Young actress Francine Diaz recently sat down with Dr. Vicki Belo to talk about her life before rising to fame.
In a YouTube vlog uploaded on August 26, the 17-year-old actress recalled her family's past hardships.
"Wala kaming kuryente. Wala rin kaming masyadong food noon pati water. Bagong panganak pa lang din si Mama sa kapatid kong bunso."
Francine also looked back at the time she borrowed money just so she could go on auditions for commercials.
"One midnight, kumatok kami sa kapitbahay at nanghiram kami ng pamasahe. Binigyan nila kami kaya forever grateful kami sa kanila."
She added, "Kapag nahihirapan ako tapos na-achieve ko yung gusto ko, nakakahinga ako ng maluwag. Kailangan muna mapagdaanan yung hirap bago masabi na na-achieve ko ito."
After starring in numerous commercials, she decided to give acting a shot. As to what prompted her to pursue acting, she said, "Noong nagkaroon ako ng mga small roles as young main characters, doon ko naisip na gusto ko talaga ito."
Francine also shared her biggest motivation for working hard: "Ang daming gift ni God sa akin para maabot ko yung pangarap ko, hindi lang for myself pero para sa family ko rin. Ang mga kapatid ko nag-aaral pa rin sila and gusto ko na mayroon ako na mapagtapos na kapatid ko sa pag-aaral."
Watch the full interview here: