MANILA – Jed Madela admitted he is now living on his personal savings due to lack of work because of the coronavirus pandemic and the problems of his home network, ABS-CBN.

Just like his fellow artists, Madela told entertainment site PEP that he is trying to find ways to continue earning.

"Ang laki ng effect niya. Everything stopped, our means of livelihood, especially kaming performers sa live entertainment scene, dun talaga nag-e-earn. But because of what happened, ako personally, I am now living on my personal savings,” he said.

“So hopefully, I am praying that unti-unti we get to find ways and means to earn pa rin. Because I know, not just me, ang dami naming artists who are experiencing difficulty right now in life," he added.

Despite this, the Kapamilya singer remains to be optimistic that things will get better.

"I guess, the mere fact that we are all experiencing the new normal, the new set up in our lives, 'di naman puwede na mag-stop tayong mamuhay. We still have to live our lives, we still have to go on, especially tayong mga artists cannot stop singing or dancing or entertaining people. So we have to find ways to reach our audience, to reach our fans,” he said.

When asked what’s the biggest adjustment he’s made in the recent months, Madela said: “It's the fact na everything is on stand still, everything stopped bigla, especially our performances. Live entertainment scenes stopped just like that na walang mass gatherings.”

"In some ways, I am adjusted, but there's still that feeling of paranoia. 'Yung kapraningan na the enemy is still out there, it's invisible, 'di natin nakikita 'yung virus na 'yan. Wala pang vaccine, wala pang cure. May kaunting takot pa rin, but we still have to work around with what we have. We just have to adjust. Somehow, I have adjusted in some ways, pero nandiyan pa rin 'yung kaba," he added.

Despite this, the singer knows he just has to deal with the situation and “support yourself, you just have to surround yourself with the right people."

Madela also has an advice to those battle anxiety attacks.

"For the longest time I had mga anxiety problems, so I guess I've learned how to cope. It's all about the right mind set. It's not easy. Hindi siya madaling sabihin na, 'It's only in the mind.' The mind is very powerful. But you know, baby steps really help,” he said.

“Talk to people, open up and surround yourself with the right energy and right people. 'Yun na lang, wala naman tayong choice din. We just have to deal with whatever's thrown at us. Anxiety, depression is real. Do not be afraid. Open up and talk to people," he added.