Fifth Solomon bravely opens up on his mental health struggles

TRIGGER WARNING: Story about mental health issues

• Fifth Solomon shared on social media that he is feeling overwhelmed and will take a step back to focus on his mental health

• He announced plans for therapy, a possible vacation in Vietnam, and even another stay at a mental health facility

• Solomon will pass the management of his LGBT bar Hoesik to someone he trusts while he pursues other creative projects

• The director expressed deep emotional exhaustion and described himself as a person with a disability who may no longer be able to work

Filmmaker and LGBTQIA+ advocate Fifth Solomon took to social media with raw honesty, revealing his current mental health struggles and announcing his decision to take a step back from managing Hoesik, the LGBT bar he founded and built into a beloved community space.

“I’ve been feeling overwhelmed lately—with all the noise, the hate, the pressure,” Solomon shared. “So starting tomorrow, I’ve decided to take a step back. I need to breathe. I need space. I need healing. Some therapy. A little shopping. Maybe even a cute vacation.”

In his candid post, the director opened up about burnout and emotional exhaustion, hinting at the possibility of checking into a mental health facility again. “And maybe… I need another stay at the mental hospital too,” he wrote.

Solomon also mentioned his interest in traveling to Vietnam to unwind and find inspiration. “I’ve been eyeing Vietnam. I heard the food is amazing, the boys are cute, and the LGBT scene is thriving. Sounds like exactly what I need right now.”

As part of his healing journey, Solomon announced that he is handing over the reins of Hoesik to someone he trusts. “With that, I’ll be passing the management of Hoesik to someone I trust deeply—someone who’s worked hard and truly cares.”

He described Hoesik not as a commercial venture, but as a labor of love born from a need for belonging. “To be honest, I don’t earn much from it, but I’ve kept doing it because I genuinely love it. I’ve always said I never felt like I belonged in straight bars—but the first time I walked into an LGBT bar in my early 20s, something clicked. I felt like I was finally in the right place. I still feel that way.”

Fifth emphasized that while he is stepping back from Hoesik, he will continue to pursue creative projects—ones that nourish his growth and sustainability. “Now, I’m choosing to focus on other creative projects I’m passionate about—and yes, ones that help me grow and earn, too. But no matter where I go or what I do, Hoesik will always be close to my heart.”

In a deeply vulnerable moment, he ended the post with words that sparked concern among fans and supporters: “I think I am a PWD who cannot work anymore because of my mental health. I’d just stay at home or die.”

Support flooded in from netizens, with many praising Solomon’s courage and honesty in sharing his pain while calling for continued mental health awareness and access to care.

Fifth Solomon is an actor and director, known for his projects such as Single Bells (2023), Nakalimutan ko nang kalimutan ka (2018) and My Sassy Girl (2024). He is a close friend of actress and YouTube star Alex Gonzaga. Fifth also used to be a housemate on the ABS-CBN reality show Pinoy Big Brother.

In a previous report, Fifth Solomon took to social media to express his disappointment over the current state of Philippine cinema, as his latest film Lasting Moments, starring JM De Guzman and Sue Ramirez, faces hurdles in securing screenings in local theaters. In a passionate post, Solomon revealed that their distributor has struggled to get the film shown in malls and cinemas, with many establishments prioritizing foreign films over local productions.

Earlier, Fifth Solomon took to X and shared his thoughts on the video of the teacher in "It's Showtime". He called out those who bashed the teacher, who failed to give the right answer to the question about the first woman PH president. The teacher answered Gloria Macapagal Arroyo instead of Cory Aquino. "Tetay" then responded to the erroneous answer of the contestant.

Source: KAMI.com.gh