Content Warning: The following article contains discussions on mental health.
In an Instagram post last November 3, actor and stage performer Pepe Herrera shared a glimpse of why he has stepped back from regular social media activity.
According to the actor, the social media detox was significantly helpful amidst the mental health struggles he is currently facing.
“Hello everyone. Recently, I have been taking a break from posting anything (except for collaboration posts) and scrolling to enjoy the nourishing effects of social media detox. I am posting my current life story now because it might help someone who is experiencing the same thing,” he began.
READ: WEEK 1: Pepe Herrera shares his story of humble beginnings and success in showbiz | YFSF 2025
Pepe explained that the decision to pause his usual posting stemmed from ongoing experiences of anxiety since 2023.
“I have been feeling anxious regularly since 2023. Recently, the attacks happen at night preventing me from sleeping. Lack of sleep is making the anxiety attacks harder to manage. One of my therapist said I’m also experiencing a type of PTSD. Apparently, it’s connected to the amount of abuse I have experienced and witnessed since my early years,” he explained.
To help others who might go through the same experience, Pepe proceeded to share five insights he has learned through his therapy sessions:
“1. Asking for help can be a sign of strength. Asking help from the right people can be a sign of wisdom.
“2. When I am getting overwhelmed by a narrative my mind is creating (which is mostly exaggerated), I can always go back to my body.
“3. Listen to what my body is telling. It’s always keeping score and it’s always trying to help me.
“4. Choose my words wisely. Reframing sentences like ‘I am anxious’ to ‘I am feeling anxious’ can help create the shift from feeling defeated to feeling empowered. When I say ‘I am like this and that’, I embody the emotion and attach my identity to it. It gets stuck inside of me, creating a prison of self pity and hopelessness.
“But when I say ‘I am feeling this and that’, I take back the power and see these emotions (anxiety, grief, rage) for what they truly are — energy in motion. It comes and it goes. It is meant to be released. It’s possible that I just feel more of it compared to others.
“5. When triggered or experiencing an attack, the best way for me to release the heavy energy without passing the trauma to others is to move. I have this routine that I have been doing for a week now. I’m going to share it on my stories.”
In the comment section of his post, the Your Face Sounds Familiar celebrity performer shared a continuation of his message, expressing deep gratitude for the people and lessons that have guided him in this season of healing. He went on to thank his support network for being present, his wife and kids that are helping rebuild their family, and his followers who continue to support him.
READ: WATCH: Pepe Herrera joins Sharon Cuneta in a must-watch acting showdown | YFSF 2025
The actor ended his message with a note of kindness and hope for his followers. “Last but not the least, I am grateful to anyone who took the time to read this. May this help you or the people in your circle see and understand people who are struggling with kindness and empathy.”
“Ok balik muna ako sa outdoors to enjoy the healing effects of Mother Nature. See you next week or next month. God bless you,” he said.
Fans and friends in the industry showed their support through the comment section, sharing positive message to the actor.
“Thank you for sharing this pepe. ❤️ i pray for your continuous healing. Yakap mahigpit!” wrote a netizen.
“We love you kuya Pepe🙏🏻🫶," commented by fellow YFSF celebrity performer, Jason Dy.
Back in 2024, Pepe admitted in an interview with Toni Gonzaga that he had to quit showbiz in the past due to burnout. According to him, he developed anger issues that turned out to be a manic disorder, that affected his loved ones. He first took a break from showbiz after his iconic role as Benny in FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano due to stress-induced complications with his chest and nerves in 2018.
Pepe has found his way back to the TV and film industry. He currently makes his weekly transformations in Your Face Sounds Familiar and has an upcoming film this November, Lakambini.
—By Alyana Cabuhat De Guzman