Alden Richards marks 15th year with gratitude-filled fan meet

December 9 ------ Alden Richards, one of the country’s A-list stars, a sought-after heartthrob, and widely recognized as “Asia’s Multimedia Star,” is marking his 15th year in show business with a milestone fan meet he says comes straight from the heart.

The fan meet dubbed “ARXV: Moving ForwARd” is scheduled for Dec. 13 at the City of Santa Rosa Laguna Multi-Purpose Complex. In a press conference, Richards said he has been personally involved in shaping every detail of the celebration. “I want every detail and decision for this event to come from the deepest part of our hearts. Of course, this is an event about gratitude, appreciation, and honoring the people who have been part of my 15-year journey,” Richards said.

Looking back on his career, Richards said the true highlight of his journey is not fame or accolades, but the lives he has been able to change. Richards said his encounters with fans continue to shape his outlook, including moments when people tell him their lives improved because of his help. “I remember around 2019, there was a young woman standing in the crowd during the opening of our store in Biñan. She kept looking at me, smiling, and I wondered why. “When she finally reached me, she showed me her diploma. She told me she had already graduated — and that I was part of that accomplishment. Moments like that... they stay with you. They remind you of the kind of ripple your actions can create,” he added.

Richards grew emotional when asked about his late mother, Mama Rosario, who was his greatest supporter and believed in his dreams long before the world did. “I always think about how I wish my mom could see all of this physically. To see what her push, her sacrifices, and her guidance led me to. She was the one who wanted to witness everything I would accomplish. Every time there’s an achievement or recognition, I think of her. I hope she sees it somehow,” he said.

Meanwhile, asked whether love teams remain necessary for a star of his stature, Richards acknowledged their deep cultural significance in the Philippines. “I deeply respect the love team culture here. Love stories, love themes — Filipinos adore them. And I have to admit, a huge part of who I am today is because of my past love teams. Those opportunities played a major role in shaping my career, and I will always be grateful for that,” he said.

However, he also expressed the desire to continue exploring what he can do independently. “Right now, I’m at a point in my life where I want to test myself, to see what I can create on my own. But whether a love team is necessary or not really depends on the person, on what direction they want to take in their career,” Richards noted.

On a more personal note, Richards said that after 15 years, he has learned to choose happiness deliberately. “When I was younger, I didn’t understand the industry. There were aspects that shocked me — situations that didn’t go the way I wanted. But eventually, I realized that happiness is something you choose so you can keep creating, keep growing, and keep doing good. “But there are moments when you really get tired. Just when you think you’ve gone through the hardest part, something else happens. But as you go along, you learn to navigate the hurdles and make the best decisions. Sometimes the smallest things can break you more than the big ones,” he said.

At the end of the day, Richards said he keeps himself grounded by remembering why he started. “I always ask myself: Why did you begin? Who are you doing this for? Who can you give a better life to because of what you started? I try not to let emotions take over my decisions, because I know they have consequences. I’m very careful about that,” he said.

Source: manilatimes.net