Dustin Yu’s life has changed. He vows he won’t
For Dustin Yu, joining “Pinoy Big Brother (PBB): Celebrity Collab Edition” is a “once-in-a-lifetime experience that not everyone will get to have.” But best believe that it’s not a walk in the park. You have to live in confinement, take on tasks, deal with conflicts among housemates, and worry about public perception.
Should things fall into place, however, the opportunities that could await outside “Bahay ni Kuya” can more than make up for it. And Yu’s experience is proof of that. “I’m super grateful. Wow, this has never happened [in] my career,” he says at a recent press conference. “Ang daming mga pumapasok na blessings.”
Proving himself
By “blessings” he meant two entries to the upcoming Metro Manila Film Festival—the horror flick “Shake, Rattle & Roll: Evil Origins” and the romance drama film “Love You So Bad”—along with the mystery family drama series “The Secrets of Hotel 88,” slated for 2026, brand endorsements, and most importantly, a devoted fan base that supports him come hell or high water.
He must admit that life’s challenges hardened him early. “Naging seryoso ako,” he says. And that mindset he brought with him as he entered showbiz at the beginning of this decade. But after “PBB,” the actor has grown happier, more lighthearted. He’s excited, and he allows himself to enjoy the feeling—though he knows better than to get carried away.
“I always remind myself to stay grounded. Sometimes, I think all of the things happening right now shouldn’t change who you are or what you are. Maraming nagbago sa buhay, but I won’t. I won’t forget where I came from,” says Yu, whose introduction to the industry included low-paying bit roles in television commercials.
But if things must change, it should always be for the better—either for his craft or for him as a person. “This is the chance to give my best and show the people what I really want to become in this industry,” he says. “I’m praying that all these [blessings] continue coming in.”
Seeing the bigger picture
A career on an upswing and a heavy workload have their tradeoffs. Yu has barely enough time to rest, and traveling—one of his passions—has so far had no room in his calendar. These days, squeezing in time with his family and friends whenever he can has become his way of unwinding.
“Every time I go home to my parents, it’s a chance to rest,” he shares. “Being with my siblings and cousins, even for just a few hours, takes my mind off work. As long as I’m with them, I can recharge.”
“We all have to work, but how you feel at work matters,” he points out. “Sana lahat ng tao mabawasan ang problema… for them to have wellness and peace of mind. It sounds simple, but it’s actually hard to do.”
But all of these are relatively small sacrifices when he looks at the bigger picture. While he’s determined to prove himself as an actor, he knows that it’s important to begin building a life around it—or beyond it—as early as now. His biggest priority is to have his own home, and then to venture into other businesses in addition to Eraya, a restaurant he co-owns.
He will have to cut down on his spending, though. “Medyo magastos ako ngayon,” he admits with a chuckle. “Sometimes, I think deserve mo naman i-treat ang sarili mo. Pinagpaguran mo naman ’yun.”
Fair enough. But also, the actor knows he can’t keep using, “Deserve ko ‘to”—that slippery little phrase—to justify his whims.
“There are people around me to remind me to just chill,” quips Yu, who looks up to his good friend David Licauco when it comes to business and handling finances. “I know I have to save up and keep on investing my money.”
Like an exclusive date
Money and future plans aside, the 24-year-old actor makes sure to invest in the immediate—his relationship with his fans. Mounted by Aromagicare, his upcoming fan meeting, dubbed “Destiny: The Dustin Yu Experience” on Dec. 4 at the New Frontier Theater, is his way of reciprocating that love.
“I want to thank them for all the votes, the cheers, everything they helped me with. This is for all of them,” says Yu, who hopes to showcase more of his performer side. If he must sing and dance, he will work on it; he’s even up for workshops if it means putting on a better show.
There will be surprises, Yu says. Will his screen partner, Bianca de Vera—whom he’s rumored to be dating (or so many fans wish)—make an appearance? It’s not unreasonable to expect De Vera, but for now, the actor is keeping it teasingly coy. In any case, their relationship, Yu reveals, has only grown “more mature” since their time together in “PBB.”
“We’re closer now,” says Yu, who also looks forward to bringing his tandem with De Vera from the reality show to film (“Love You So Bad”) and television (“The Secrets of Hotel 88”). “That’s a different kind of challenge.” No fan meeting is complete without the kilig. Now that part needs no workshop. “Oppa ako ngayon dito,” Yu quips, making a finger heart that had fans at the press conference squealing and giggling. “It’s like an exclusive date with you. The focus is more on bonding and interacting with the people I love.”
Through his stint in “PBB,” Yu believes he was able to give people a glimpse of his genuine self. But the thing with keeping it real, however, is that not everyone will respond to it the same way. Some will love you, and some won’t. But that’s just the way it is, Yu says matter-of-factly.
But it’s safe to say that he has found many who do. “You can only be real, be kind, and stay strong,” he says.
