At two years old, his father’s arrest for arson left him and his siblings, the oldest just seven, without their mother’s explanation. They ended up in jail with their father until a kind local policeman, Ali Macawili, took them in when their father fell ill.
Living with the Macawili family until eight, he left after mistreatment by Macawili’s mother, seeking his real parents. Despite his youth, he took on various odd jobs for survival, including selling balut and working odd jobs.
At 16, a chance encounter led him back to his father, sparking mixed emotions about his absent mother. Unable to reconcile with his stepmother, he moved to Manila for work, finding solace in singing while working on a poultry farm.
At 24, he reunited with his family, feeling a mix of anger and forgiveness towards his mother. After recovering from illness, he faced a hurtful comment from his sister, spurring him to join a talent show.