Wilbert Ross, ikinuwento ang matinding hirap na tiniis para lang maabot ang pangarap
- Wilbert Ross recalled surviving on a ₱1,500 weekly allowance while chasing his dream of entering showbiz in Manila
- He revealed that multiple reality show auditions and repeated rejections became stepping stones in his career
- The singer shared how an apparent mistake during the Hashtags auditions unexpectedly gave him another opportunity
- Wilbert said his journey proves that perseverance mattered more than luck in achieving success
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Wilbert Ross looked back on the difficult years he endured before making a name for himself in the entertainment industry, sharing how determination and persistence helped him overcome repeated disappointments.
Source: Instagram
During his guest appearance on Real Talk with Nathalie Tomada of The Philippine Star, the singer and actor recounted the sacrifices he made after leaving his hometown to pursue opportunities in Manila despite having limited financial resources and no industry connections.
According to Wilbert, auditioning for reality competitions was the only realistic path available to him at the time.
“Nag-audition ako. Dati kasi, walang social media—hindi ganu'n kalakas. So parang the only chance for a probinsyano na walang kapamilya sa Manila, na walang connection sa Manila, at wala ring sapat na pera para gumastos at mag-invest sa Manila is to audition sa mga reality shows. 'Yun lang talaga ang chance.”
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He revealed that he auditioned four times for Pinoy Big Brother, reached the shortlist each time, and later joined Tawag ng Tanghalan before becoming a contestant on Pinoy Boyband Superstar. Despite the exposure, none of those opportunities immediately led to a breakthrough.
The setbacks became emotionally overwhelming.
“Grabe 'yung iyak ko nu'n. As in malala. Sabi ko, 'I've tried a lot of things. Sa isang taon, dalawang beses ako natalo sa TV.'"
Still determined, Wilbert decided to leave school and relocate to Manila after people promised to introduce him to influential personalities in the entertainment industry.
“Nagkaroon ako ng lakas ng loob na tumigil sa pag-aaral at lumipad sa Manila with my dreams and hopes. With my 1,500 a week allowance. And nakikitira ako sa pinsan ko sa Novaliches na construction worker."
To stretch his weekly allowance, he relied on public transportation and even walked from Quezon Avenue to ABS-CBN whenever possible.
“Isipin mo from Novaliches to ABS, lakad, tricycle, lakad sa palengke, bus, then para makatipid, Quezon Avenue to ABS, nilalakad ko na lang 'yun."
However, the people who initially promised to help him gradually stopped communicating.
“'Yung mga nag-promise sa akin, hindi na ma-contact. Parang alam mo 'yun, tutulungan ako. Hindi ko na ma-contact."
With no projects coming his way, Wilbert enrolled in a Star Magic workshop, admitting that one of his motivations was to show his former classmates that something positive was happening in Manila.
“And parang sabi ko talaga, 'Nakakahiya naman walang nangyayari sa akin dito. Mag-enroll ako sa Star Magic workshop. Pero public din 'yun. Kumbaga, magbabayad kami. Pero may pampa-post ako na kunwari may nangyayari sa akin sa Manila.”
“Para hindi masyadong nakakahiya sa mga classmates ko du'n. Para sabihin nila, 'Ay nasa Star Magic siya.' Ganu'n lang. So ayun, nag-Hashtags ako. Tapos unti-unting tumataas ang rank ko."
Wilbert also shared that Philip Rojas once introduced him to Boy Abunda, although the meeting did not result in any projects.
“Tapos si Sir Philip Rojas, siya ‘yung nag-promise sa akin one time sa Pinoy Boyband Superstar na ipapakilala kita Kay Tito Boy. Pero no promises. Ipapakilala kita. Pero di ko ipa-promise na may mangyayari sa’yo after. So ayun lang. Ipapa-meet kita.”
“Ayun na-meet ko si Tito Boy and I don’t know, siguro walang effect, so nawala na rin. Wala nang callback and all.”
One of the biggest turning points in his journey came during the Hashtags auditions. Wilbert returned the following day after receiving only a verbal instruction, unaware that other contestants had already been individually notified through text messages whether they had advanced or been eliminated.
“Nangyari 'yung Hashtags. Isa sa mga sobrang crazy niyang story sa career ko. Para siyang sinulat sa libro. Fate, legit ha?”
He later discovered that his number was never called because his application had already been placed among the rejected entries.
“Ngayon, lumapit ako kay Ma'am Bing Ramos, 'yung contestant coordinator. Sabi ko, 'Ma'am Bing, hindi po ako natawag.'”
“Tapos sabi ko, 'Ma'am Bing, wala po talaga akong na-receive na text. Ito po 'yung phone ko oh. Kasi kung alam ko lang po, kung may na-receive po ako, bakit po ako babalik ngayon? Hindi naman po ako babalik. Wala po akong alam talaga.'”
Instead of immediately sending him home, contestant coordinator Bing Ramos reviewed the rejected files and allowed him to remain in the competition.
“Sabi niya, 'Huwag ka na lang maingay.'”
Wilbert described the incident as one of the defining moments of his career.
“Parang sinulat sa libro. Fate, legit.”
He emphasized that while he was given another opportunity, advancing through the succeeding rounds still depended entirely on his own effort.
“If you're talking about pinagbigyan lang ako sa third round, ang question is, bakit ko siya ginapang sa 4th, 5th, at 6th rounds nang walang ganun?”
Wilbert Ross is a Filipino singer, songwriter, actor, and dancer who originally entered the entertainment industry through singing competitions like Tawag ng Tanghalan before rising to widespread prominence as a member of the dance group Hashtags on It's Showtime.
In another report, Wilbert Ross was overcome with emotion after tickets for his first solo concert were completely sold out in only 15 minutes. The singer uploaded a video of himself in tears as he expressed heartfelt gratitude to everyone who supported him.
Meanwhile, Wilbert Ross was among the celebrities who attended the wedding of Zeinab Harake and Bobby Ray Parks Jr. The actor-singer later shared photos from the beautiful ceremony, which were captured by Nice Print Photography, on his social media accounts.
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