BB Gandanghari Reflects on Her Journey as a Caregiver in the U.S.
BB GANDANGHARI – The former actor shares her emotional journey of working as a caregiver in the U.S. after facing multiple personal struggles.
Upon moving to the U.S., she initially worked as an Uber driver, but the pandemic halted her plans. During this challenging time, she experienced the death of her beloved dog and, tragically, her brother Royette Padilla passed away in January 2021. Due to the pandemic, BB was unable to return to the Philippines to grieve and offer her support.
Facing financial struggles, BB decided to become a caregiver. She had always been close to her grandmother, which made her confident in her ability to care for the elderly. BB underwent caregiver training and found her work incredibly rewarding. She bonded deeply with the elderly person she cared for, often reflecting on how this person could be like her own father. She treated her patients with the same love and attention she would give to family, ensuring their comfort and well-being every day.
BB emphasized that her work as a caregiver was not driven by financial needs but by her genuine desire to improve the lives of the elderly. She believed in providing quality care that went beyond basic needs, like cooking, massaging, and making sure her patients had a pleasant day. The experience also helped her heal unresolved emotions related to her late father, who was assassinated, and she found closure through this caregiving role.
Her experiences in caregiving also gave her insight into her mother, Eva Cariño, who showed early signs of dementia. BB acknowledged that at first, she and her siblings struggled to understand their mother’s behavior, but through her caregiving work, she gained a better understanding of dementia. She shared that her mother’s memory deteriorated significantly after turning 87, and sometimes her mother didn’t even recognize her.
BB continues to study Entertainment Business in the U.S. and plans to return home soon for the holidays. She is set to graduate this year, with plans to work behind the camera in the entertainment industry.
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