Josh Ford opens up on working as waiter, care worker in UK to help his mom

October 7 ------ Josh Ford opened up on his experiences working a few jobs in the United Kingdom to help his mom support their family after his father died. The Sparkle star graced the pilot episode of "Chapters by Sparkle," where he talked about his life in the UK.

According to Josh, after his father died, their family moved to the United Kingdom, where their mom was the sole income provider for him and his three other siblings. "So, when my mom said na we're gonna live there, lahat kami talaga nagulat. Naisip ko, paano na 'yung mga kaibigan ko dito? Paano na 'yung work? Paano na 'yung mga pinsan ko? Paano na 'yung mga ibang gamit ko?" Josh said.

"Ang hirap po mag-adjust to somewhere new. Especially my mom. Kasi, my dad's our provider. Siya lang 'yung nag-wowork sa family namin. So, when he passed away, hindi po talaga alam ng mom ko kung anong gagawin. She was a single mom with four very young kids," he added.

When he got into college, Josh decided to work not only to have his own money but to help his mother as well. "Ayaw ko masyado nanghihingi. Kasi she's a single mom working for four kids. Ayaw ko nang magiging, ano eh, pabigat. So, kailangan ko magkaroon ng sarili kong pera. I was at the age na puwede na ako magtrabaho," the former child actor said.

He first worked as a care worker, taking care of elderly people suffering from dementia and other illnesses. "I was a care worker at one point. I was a carer. Ako po 'yung nagbabantay sa mga matatandang may dementia at may mga sakit. And I did that for the night shift. So, graveyard shift," Josh said.

Josh also worked as a waiter at a Filipino restaurant in his hometown of Portsmouth, UK. He took on multiple responsibilities, acting as an all-rounder in washing dishes, mopping floors, and even cleaning the toilets. "'Yung mga iba mahirap kasi minsan 'yung mga English very straightforward. Mga iba are very strict, very rude in the way they talk to you. Ugh! I hate the toilet! Ayun talaga, ayaw ko. Pag nililinisan, siguro 'pag nililinisan 'yung toilet lang. 'Yun doon lang talaga ako nahihirapan," Josh said. "Washing the dishes, the cups, mopping the floor, OK naman sa akin 'yun. That's during closing. Pero 'yung toilet lang talaga minsan 'yung mahirap," he added.

Despite the challenges, Josh is grateful for those experiences, believing they helped shape him into the person he is today. "I think it's very important for me na pinagdaanan ko 'yun. It's a humbling experience for me. Na parang ngayon, andito na ako sa point na nakikilala na ako ng tao. Dati, I'm the person who just cleans the toilets, nagma-mop, and very noble work," the Sparkle star said. "Ako happy ako na naranasan ko 'yun. Kasi, ngayon, whenever I see other people na mga waiters or mga people who work normal jobs, you really have to respect them," he added.

Josh was among the 20 housemates of the first season of "Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition." He is set to appear in the upcoming GMA Pictures film, "Huwag Kang Titingin," and the upcoming collaboration project between GMA Network and ABS-CBN, "Secrets of Hotel 88," with some of his fellow housemates.

Source: gmanetwork.com