Actors and other showbiz idols and personalities these days speak their minds out mostly in their social media accounts. Well and good, as those postings have been making the task of entertainment journos and vloggers a little easier in meeting their deadlines (set by editors or by the individual vloggers themselves whose works are completely unedited).

The journos and the vloggers can liberally cut-and-paste kilometric quotes from the showbiz idols’ postings. There’s hardly any possibility of misquoting their interviewees in their own organization of thoughts (mostly badly done) and phrasing (mostly awkward, hardly grammatical and idiomatic).

But then there are some showbiz idols who get invited to speak in forums that may or may not have anything to do with showbiz. They are invited as free speakers, not commissioned or contracted ambassadors or endorsers.

One recently invited as speaker is multi-awarded actor Cherry Pie Picache and she gladly accepted the task of speaking on the topic “It is never too late to start living a healthier lifestyle.”

Picache was invited by the Philippine Heart Association-Philippine College of Cardiology and they requested the actor’s dynamic participation in their Advocacy Hour held at the Palawan Room of Shangri-La Hotel. Picache not only addressed the attendees but was also requested to sit in the panel to field questions from them crowd.

Picache is an actor who smiles a lot when not playing a character on camera. But in her speech about staying healthy, she sounded at various points like a militant political activist. She intoned:

“...To everyone listening — young or old, working or retired, single or with a family — this is my message to you: Don’t wait for pain to remind you to act.

“Don’t wait for a diagnosis to start living better. And don’t ever think that being busy is an excuse to neglect your health.

“Health is not a luxury. It’s not a reward. It is your birthright, and it is your responsibility!”

Actually, Picache has a reputation for sounding like an activist every time she is interviewed by TV crews about socio-political issues, such as the restoration of the death penalty in the country and the lowering of the age of children for prosecution as an adult in serious crimes.

The public was shocked to hear Picache taking a stand against death penalty restoration even after her very own murder was killed by their driver some years ago. The driver was meted life imprisonment.

Picache is against lowering the age of children to be prosecuted as an adult for committing crimes that can be considered heinous. She is for giving children all the privileges and opportunities to have a promising future.

At the Philippine Heart Association forum, she disabused her audience that morning from their belief that being an actor is all glamor and glory. She confided:

“You know, I’ve been in the entertainment industry for more than 30 years now. That’s three decades of long taping days, emotional roles, memorable stories and unforgettable characters. I’ve played mothers, villains, saints and sinners — lahat na yata.

“But behind the glamor and the lights, what people don’t often see is how physically and emotionally demanding the job can be.

“There were days when I’d go straight from one set to another, sometimes with only two hours of sleep in between. I’d be wearing high heels for hours, under hot studio lights, or shooting on location in unpredictable weather. And yet, the show must go on. We power through scenes no matter how tired we are, no matter what we’re feeling inside.”

She went on even more seriously:

“But after a while, I started to ask myself: How long can I keep doing this if I don’t take care of myself? If I break down, if I get sick, what will happen to the work I love — and more importantly, to the people I love?

“That question became even more important when I became a mom to my son, Nio. Being a parent changes your priorities. It shifts your focus from just surviving the day to securing a future — not just for yourself, but for your child.”

Nio, she revealed, is a student-athlete who’s active in tennis. He trains regularly, eats well, and takes his health seriously. Picache turned to herself once more: “And seeing that kind of discipline from him — at such a young age — truly humbled me. I realized, if he can be that committed to his well-being, then I owe it to him, and to myself, to do the same.”

She proceeded to share the nitty-gritty of her health regimen.

“So little by little, I started making better choices. I began drinking more water instead of reaching for coffee number four. I swapped some snacks on set with fruits and nuts. I would stretch backstage while waiting for a scene.

“And more than that — I started treating my medical checkups as sacred. Hindi pwedeng isingit lang kung kailan libre (not just inserting them when I am free). They became part of my routine, just like putting on makeup or reading a script.”

The activist in her surfaced once more. She declared: “You see, prevention is not about fear — it’s about awareness. It’s about knowing your body, understanding your risk, and being empowered to do something about it. That’s why I get my labs checked regularly. I keep track of my blood pressure, my sugar levels, my cholesterol. I want to know my numbers before they become a problem.”

“And thank God, everything has been within the normal range so far. But I don’t take that for granted. I continue to work on it because staying healthy is not a one-time decision. It’s a lifestyle. A commitment.”

Picache is aware that according to the Philippine Heart Association, cardiovascular diseases remain the number one cause of death in the Philippines.

Sadly, many people don’t even know they’re at risk — until it’s too late. That’s why the PHA Advocacy Hour and Usapang Puso sa Puso is quite important.

Picache asserted: “It’s not just about informing people about heart illness — it’s about building a culture of care. A culture where health is not just a reaction to pain, but a daily priority.”

She proceeded to make a “confession.” She once more intoned: “... Here’s what I’ve learned: You can’t pour from an empty cup. You can’t care for others if you don’t first take care of your own heart, body and mind.”

“That’s why I’ve made a conscious effort to prioritize rest, especially in an industry where hustle is glorified. I protect my sleep, I listen to my body when it’s tired, and I don’t feel guilty about stepping back when I need to. Because I know that healing, peace and clarity only come when you give yourself space to breathe.

“I also listen — really listen — to my doctor. And I’m proud to say that my doctor is here with us today. Dr. Jun Aventura has witnessed my journey: the ups and downs, the setbacks, and the small victories. And I say this with sincerity — every woman, every mother, every professional deserves that kind of medical partnership. Because health care is not just clinical — it’s deeply personal.

“So let’s all commit to the small things that make a big difference: Drink more water. Move more — kahit konting lakad lang (even just a little walking.).”

So wasn’t the actor Cherry Pie Picache worth inviting to be a live speaker and worth listening to with full attention?