The emotional reunion of the Home Along Da Riles former cast has surely brought tears to many fans.
But the highlight of their reunion was veteran actress Cita Astals, who returned to the limelight after a long absence.
However, some of the younger fans mightn’t recognize this Filipino legend.
So today, in this blog, we will give you guys all the information about Cita Astals.
Key Takeaways
- Veteran actress Cita Astals battled bipolar disorder after losing an election, experiencing auditory hallucinations in 2009.
- In addition to her acclaimed acting career, she had a degree in journalism and served as a city councilor in Manila.
- Now 58 years old, Astals is using her story to raise mental health awareness and fight stigma after recovering from her bipolar disorder.
Cital Astals was born September 6, 1965, in the Philipines.
The veteran actress is currently 59 years old.
Her mother was Carmen Parras-Astals. Carmen was native to Aparri, Cagayan.
On the other hand, her father was Mario Astals, and he was a Manager in the Textile and Mining Industries.
However, her father was not native to the Philippines. He was from Buenos Aires, Argentina.
While digging about her parents, we learned that her father also had Spanish roots.
Furthermore, the veteran actress was also married to a Spanish actor for 10 years.
But currently as of this writing, Cita is single.
Cita Astals Had A Degree in Journalism
Cita Astals was probably one of the most educated among Filipino actors.
The talented actress completed high school at Colegio de San Agustin.
After graduating from high school, she attended Makati College, where she received a degree in political science with a major in Journalism.
Furthermore, she also did a mini course from UCLA, Californi for Urban Planning and Development.
Then, she worked at Children’s Balled Studio as a Children’s Ballet Teacher.
Cital Astals Made Transition From Teacher To Entertainment Industry
After being a teacher, Cita entered the entertainment industry in the 1990s.
Her first breakthrough came in 1992 when she appeared in the hit sitcom Home Along Da Riles.
This opened a plethora of opportunities for her. She landed a few great roles in projects like Billy Billionario, Iskul Bukol 2, Barangay US, and her debut sitcom, Mana.
Due to her role in Philippine cinema, the Philippine Encyclopedia of the Arts included her and dubbed her “the Most Versatile Actress of the Philippines.”
Beyond the small screen, the talented actress also showcased her versatility in over 100 films as an actress-comedian.
Cita Astals Also Had A Political Career
In 1998, Cita started on her journey to public service by being elected as the City Councilor for the 5th district of Manila.
She held that position until 2007. During her tenure, she chaired the influential Committee on Engineering, Public Works, and Flood Control.
The talented individual also served as Vice-Chair of the Environmental Committee.
She was also an active member of the National League of Young Legislators from 1998 to 2000.
After that, she again ran for the position of Vice Mayor of Manila in 2007.
But she lost to Mayor Isko Moreno.
What Happened To Cita Astals?
After transitioning into politics following her acting career, Astals experienced a depressing period after losing an election.
In 2009, Astals began hearing random voices speaking inside her head that would not stop.
Unable to understand where these hallucinations were coming from or who the voices belonged to, her well-being became greatly affected.
That same year, the former actress was diagnosed with bipolar type 1 (mania) disorder.
“For three long years, I grappled with this condition that disrupted my sense of reality, But I refused to let it defeat me. With professional help and proper treatment, I was able to regain myself”
Astals revealed this in an interview with broadcaster Korina Sanchez on DZMM radio.
Now, after her journey of recovering from bipolar disorder, Astals is using her story to raise awareness.
Despite her humiliation, she moved ahead with an optimistic spirit, proving that those suffering from such conditions can manage their illness.
