Don’t you ever think that Cebuano model-actor Lito Gruet isn’t publicly visible.
It is because Lito is still in touch with his audience.
The crowd might not be palpably his fans and followers but they are the audience as well — ardent televiewers of “Batang Quiapo” or “Pulang Araw.”
Gruet, who is a very active member of both Battle Against Ignorance Foundation and Safehaven Recovery Village, went all the way to Bayambang, Pangasinan from Cebu City to lecture on the drug menace and the sources of poverty.
Lito, a self-confessed drug user during his heyday as an actor, talked passionately about his renewal from a wayward life.
Here’s a sort of stream of consciousness confession of the former hunk actor about his journey from his drug addiction to his recovery as he shared them with the people, particularly, the selected Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) and students in Bayambang.
“Let me share with you what I talked about in a nutshell.
“I shared about my recovery journey from being a Pitoy Moreno model and actor till my hardcore addiction for 16 years till my recovery and current advocacy.
“They — the students — were excited to hear my story specially knowing I came all the way from Cebu.
“I believe I effectively relayed the warning and lesson on the real-life dangers if addiction as well as understanding the consequences if making wrong, uninformed choices.
“In the delicate age of curiosity and experimentation, today's youth must be made aware and we must all join hands to ‘Battle The Ignorance.’
“Battle Against Ignorance Foundation was so called because it is ‘ignorance’ that leads towards all social ills.
“Battle Against Ignorance Foundation collaborates with Safehaven Recovery Village, a 12-step Christ-Centered rehab facility in Talamban, Cebu.
“Bai Foundation does not have its own facility so we bring them to Safehaven where they are sheltered, treated and cared for. They also have access to doctors, psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, occupational therapists, etc.
“Bai Foundatiin covers for their food, medication and personal necessities. This is possible through the vision of Ronnie delos Santos who is the president of Bai Foundation and the CEO and owner of Safehaven Recovery Village.
“Aside from spreading awareness on the dangers of drug addiction we are focused now in rescuing street dwellers abandoned and neglected by society.
“As someone who lived in the streets, looked for food in trash bins, etc. I could very much relate with their desolation and hopelessness. I believe they are God's children too who once was someone's loved one.
“They did not choose to end this way and people do not see what possible trauma they experienced in their lives.
“Whether their psychosis was substance induced, was a genetic predisposition or neurological.
“They do not deserve to live and die like stray dogs! The government isn't doing enough for them. We would save all of them if we could but we can only do so much. Which is why we need every good Samaritan's support.”
It was incumbent Bayambang Mayor Nina Jose Quiambao who welcomed Lito to her town.
Honorable Quiambao, nee Nina Jose, was a talent of ABS-CBN. I shared about my recovery journey from being a Pitoy moreno model and actor till my hardcore addiction for 16 years till my recovery and current advocacy
One of the most significant recoveries Lito has made was re-directing the path sexy actress Coca Nicolas treaded.
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